Nadia L. Hohn is an award-winning author, educator, musician, aspiring illustrator, and advocate for diversity in children’s literature. Alongside her psychology degree from the University of Waterloo, she holds a Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Master of Education (MEd) from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph.
Combining activism with creativity, Nadia empowers Black children to see themselves in literature. Her acclaimed Malaika series—Malaika’s Costume (2016), Malaika’s Winter Carnival (2017), Malaika’s Surprise (2021), and Malaika, Carnival Queen (2023)—captures the joys and challenges of a young girl navigating two worlds. Malaika’s Costume was part of the TD Grade One Book Giveaway, distributing over 550,000 copies to first graders across Canada. Nadia’s biographical works, such as Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter (2018) and A Likkle Miss Lou (2019), honour cultural icons. Her writing has appeared in publications like Psychology Today, Quill & Quire, Owl, Chickadee, and ByBlacks.
Nadia’s recent accolades include the 2024 Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award. She also founded Sankofa’s Pen and SCBWI BIPOC Talk, supporting diverse writers and illustrators. As a Toronto District School Board teacher, she continues to inspire through her books and global engagements at schools, libraries, and festivals.
