Hi beautiful people!
I’m Sahar, a published author and illustrator from Iran, now living in the Bay Area, where you can find me in nature, with my nose in a book.
I graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with an MFA in Visual Development. In addition to working on my passion, I am a senior product designer working on meaningful products, such as ed-tech and mindfulness platforms.
I’m also the founder of "The Little Soul," a non-profit organization committed to teaching mindfulness to Iranian children. One of my projects for The Little Soul is Meeka, a children's story that has been released as an interactive ebook application, boasting over 125K downloads. Meeka's aim was to support sexually abused children in opening up and seeking help
I won multiple awards for my illustrations, including the “Tapestry of Voices / Equity & Inclusion” SCBWI Award“ in 2023 and the picture book Illustration Award for the AAU spring show in 2018 and 2019.
Awards
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Tapestry of Voices / Equity & Inclusion” SCBWI Award, 2023
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AAU Spring Show Selected Children’s Books, 2018 & 2019
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Iran Video Games National Festival, Character Design award 2009
Press
Featured Project
Total more than 125K downloads
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Parents and teacher's reviews
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Michka Ebook
Michka, an interactive ebook in Farsi, has been created with the help of child psychologists and addresses sexual abuse topics in a more understandable and non-threatening way for children. It uses the metaphor of an insect by that name which is torn in confusion when its wings ( then a private part of the insect's body based on the story ) are broached by another insect.
Children's Letters
Children's letters after they learned how to take care of their heart's flowers.
Books Backed by Experts
Nicole Jafari, Psychologist, University Professor, Children Studies
"I recommend Meeka to all parents, to first examine its power of communication and storytelling on their own, and second to spend together with their child to watch and discuss as it unfolds. Meeka brings children and parents together."
Suzanne Darley, Ph.D., REACE, Expressive Art Educator
"As an expressive arts educator, I know that stories have the power to transform lives."
“Meeka’s Secret” allows us to reach out to children and offer hope, through a story."
Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a psychologist and New York Times best-selling author
The Little Soul Foundation has developed a wonderful app for kids that uses art therapy and games to help kids overcome the effects of childhood trauma.
