About

Salma Ali is an interdisciplinary author and illustrator whose work is deeply rooted in child-centered storytelling. She holds a Ph.D. focused on co-creation and co-design alongside children, drawing inspiration from their unique stories, voices, and lived experiences. She also worked as a designer at NASA and top tech companies before devoting herself to illustrating and writing children’s books. Informed by her upbringing as an Arab and Muslim in America, Salma now channels her personal journey into crafting heartwarming picture books and characters to uplift and inspire young readers, particularly those whose identities are often overlooked in mainstream narratives. She works both digitally and traditionally, using mediums including gouache, colored pencil, and wax pastel. She resides in coastal Virginia, finding inspiration in the beach and local wildlife, reinventing Middle Eastern recipes, and her ever-growing collection of stationary and souvenirs from around the world.

You can find more of her work on Instagram and LinkedIn

For all inquiries, please contact salmaillustrate@gmail.com

Salma is currently unrepresented and open to literary representation