So proud of Maryam Hassan (@missmaryam.bsky.social) and Anna Wilson (@abottlefullofrain.bsky.social) on their win for best picture book from the Diverse Book Awards! This moving book deserves all the attention it’s been getting. Congratulations!!! #TheDBAwards #thediversebookawards

Little walks and little details #japan

This Two Houses is actually perfect and I’m always coming back to it. I still think they are just outstanding at creating music.

Saw Mount Fuji and a bear cub at the weekend.

he’s relaxing

Hakuba is amazing.

God I hate rush hour in Japan. It’s the worst rush hour I’ve ever experienced especially when there’s a disruption which happens frequently. Just people pushing and being generally crappy.

I am craving Turkish breakfast right now but I am on a rush hour train going to work and I don’t know if I can get this in Tokyo.

Also I 10000% recommend Asiana Airlines for long haul flights. Masses of leg room, wide seats, huge TV and pineapple juice offered. Staff were lovely and friendly. A joy to fly 14 hours with.

“Please do not hump the doors. You’re delaying the train by humping the doors” peak London trains. Nice to be back.

I’m sat in Incheon Airport for the next 6 hours waiting for my flight to London. They have a very nice transit lounge, but if I’d known the nap zone was free I would never have laird for the lounge.

he has apple!

I had a chat with Aramcoworld about Until You Find the Sun! Three weeks till the IBC Awards! Can’t wait! #picturebooks

Every year in Japan we have to have a health check up. Today is mine. It’s a good system to have, my work pays for it and I get the day off for it but I always get told off because the “healthy weight” range here is so low and I’m never in it.

Today is the release date of The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri 🌙

pet the bulbasaur

As seen in Azabujuban, Tokyo. Free Palestine 🇵🇸

We painted some cats today.

bulbasaur is hiding

Forever blown away by Lilly’s vocals. She’s so amazing.

Four weeks till I can have chips again.

The illuminations at Enoshima are so pretty. I’ve been twice since I’ve moved and they really don’t disappoint.

I miss Chicago and London. That’s the thing with living in different places, you are always missing someone or somewhere.

The mistake everyone is making is assuming all TikTok users are Gen Z. There’s a huge age range using TikTok as a platform.

Any other 1985 babies currently wondering how the hell they’ve made it to 40? Like I’ve never imagined how I would be at 40.. and here I am.

Tokyo Sunrise

America wants to ban TikTok but doesn’t realise this generation doesn’t listen to them and will move to a new app, one that’s actually Chinese, just to mess with them all. I love it. I also hope TikTok doesn’t get banned but we just leave Instagram, Twitter and Facebook anyway.

People in Tokyo, if you are on your long morning commute look at the sky. The moon is huge and very pretty. That’s all.

borgor

Until You Find the Sun was in the long list for the Inclusive Books for Children awards. I’ve wanted to be an author since I was a kid and to have that dream be a reality at 39 is so awesome. I’m still stunned the book I wrote in my car in Chicago is out there in the world #authors #ibcawards2025

In this photo is Mount Fuji, the moon and Saturn which was pretty cool to see. #japan #sunset #photography

After the Jamie Oliver children’s book fiasco it’s surely time publishers wake up and see they should be giving opportunities to more POC authors rather than celebs. Think of all the wonderful stories we’re missing out on.

My favourite thing to find in #Japan is waterfalls. This is one near Fujinomiya in Shizuoka. Shiraito Falls.

Cool watercolour art up in the station today ❤️❤️ #tokyo

I need this.

Christmas Illuminations in Hokkaido ❤️

meowth curled up in a blankie

Snow capped Mount Fuji is the best Mount Fuji ❤️ #japan #mountfuji #photography

Sunsets in Takayama. #photography #japan

Hello new social media app. My name is Maryam. I’m an author and teacher. I live in Japan. I used to take photos of bands. My favourite Pokémon is Bulbasaur.