For longtime friends and community educators Aya Khalil and Bayan Lahham, writing their new children’s book, A Party of Colors, feels like a natural extension of the work they have been doing together for years.
The two first met at a story time after Bayan moved back to Toledo. Since 2015, their friendship has grown through community story times, library events, outreach and a shared love of children’s literature.
“It’s ironic because we met at story time and now we’re doing story time together,” Khalil said.
Both women have a passion for education, writing and helping children see themselves reflected in the books they read. When the opportunity to collaborate on a book came along, Khalil asked Lahham if she wanted to join her.
“She said yes,” Khalil recalled.
For Khalil, A Party of Colors is her 11th children’s book, adding to a growing body of work that includes both board and picture books.
Seeing a new experience through a child’s eyes
The story follows a young boy experiencing a car wash for the first time. What might seem like an ordinary errand to an adult becomes an unfamiliar and even intimidating adventure for a child.
“He’s going through a car wash for the first time and readers see it through his perspective,” Khalil explained. “It’s a new experience. It can be scary when you don’t know what to expect.”
The story also highlights the bond between a father and son while introducing young readers to the science behind the car wash.
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For Khalil, the idea was personal. One of her own children was frightened by car washes, making the experience especially relatable.
Bringing STEAM into the story
Lahham, a math and science teacher, brought her own childhood experiences and love of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) to the project.
“Growing up, both of my parents were engineers,” Lahham said. “Math and science were embedded in our every move.”
She wanted to incorporate art and science in a way that felt natural and engaging for children.
The book takes readers through the experience step by step, from entering the car wash to navigating the dark tunnel and hearing unexpected noises.
“It’s about trying something new for the first time and going into the unknown,” Lahham said.
Bayan hopes the book also helps children understand sequences and the value of taking things one step at a time.
Representation matters
For both authors, representation is at the heart of their work.
“I love kids to see themselves in books,” Lahham said. “We didn’t have that growing up.”
As a Syrian American and first-generation Arab American, Lahham said she rarely saw people who looked or sounded like her represented authentically in the books she read.
Khalil shares that experience. Her own journey into children’s publishing began in 2020, inspired in part by wanting her children to understand that they matter.
“I didn’t want them to think they didn’t matter,” Khalil said. “I wanted things to change.”
The authors believe authentic representation can also help children understand people who may look, speak or live differently from them.
“You can do that by reading books,” Khalil said. “It humanizes us.”
Following your dreams
Lahham’s path to teaching was not always straightforward. She studied pharmacy after being encouraged toward science and medicine, but eventually realized that education was where she found the greatest sense of purpose.
“Follow your dreams,” she said. “Teaching brought me happiness.”
Now, she hopes the book encourages children to remain curious, pursue their interests and believe they can become whatever they choose.
Meet the authors at upcoming events
Khalil and Lahham will celebrate “A Party of Colors” with several upcoming community events featuring readings, STEAM activities and treats. All ages are welcome and the authors emphasize that STEAM is for everyone.
- Barnes & Noble Maumee: 3100 Main St. #1400, Maumee — Saturday, Sept. 12, 1–2pm.
- ICGT International Festival with Gathering Volumes: 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg — Saturday, Sept. 26, 11am–6pm; Sunday, Sept. 27, noon–6pm.
- Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, King Road Branch: 3900 King Rd., Toledo — Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6pm.
For Khalil and Lahham, “A Party of Colors” is more than a story about a car wash. It is an invitation for children to explore something unfamiliar, learn through curiosity and recognize themselves and others in the pages of a book.
Follow Aya Khalil on her website. Follow Bayan Lahham on Instagram.
