A Family of Storytellers: Meet the Black Children’s Books Trio Changing the Game
A Family-Run Publishing Dream
From Oakland, California, the Bala family is redefining the children’s book landscape with their publishing company, BooksByBalas. What began as a father-son project between Omar Bala and his son Khalil has grown into a family affair, including Omar’s young daughter, Aniya. Together, they have created a unique platform for Black storytelling, delivering stories with meaningful messages and inspiring children to embrace reading and creativity.
From Father-Son Duo to a Talented Trio
Khalil’s passion for drawing began when he was just three years old, sketching SpongeBob before moving on to animals. Recognizing his son’s artistic talent, Omar encouraged him to collaborate on their first book, Why Dogs Chase Cats—a delightful African American folklore tale about a dog and cat whose plan to sneak into a horned-animal party goes awry. This marked the start of a successful journey, with the father-son team publishing three books in just over a year: Why Dogs Chase Cats, The Lost Baby Spinosaurus, and The Big Friendly Dragon.
Each book brings a valuable lesson to young readers, from The Lost Baby Spinosaurus, which tells the story of a dinosaur searching for his family, to The Big Friendly Dragon, a tale of kindness and acceptance. The latter book follows Bradley, a misunderstood dragon who wins the hearts of the people in his town by showing his true, gentle nature.
Aniya Joins the Team at Six Years Old
It wasn’t long before Aniya, Omar’s daughter, joined the family business, officially making BooksByBalas a trio. At just six years old, Aniya became a published author after creating the concept for her book I Love Myself. Inspired by watching her father and brother at local vending events, she would proudly proclaim, “I’m the future author.” Aniya’s vision was brought to life when she brought home a school project with the book cover design, and her father encouraged her to write the book herself. The result is I Love Myself, a powerful story that promotes self-esteem and positive body image in young readers.
“She had the idea, and it felt right that Aniya should write it,” Omar explains.
Lessons Beyond the Books
Omar is proud that BooksByBalas is not just about creating stories, but also about teaching his children valuable life lessons. “BooksByBalas is teaching my kids financial lessons in entrepreneurship, savings, investments, and most importantly making memories that last forever,” he says.
With nine published books and a tenth on the way, the Bala family’s storytelling continues to grow. Their next release, Daddy and Baby Go to the Zoo, is sure to be another hit with young readers.
For more information, updates, or to purchase their books, visit BooksbyBalas.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook @BooksbyBalas.
