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Above: Hana Khan at the book-signing event at the American Library Association
Expo held at the Anaheim Convention Center on June 28, 2008

Meet Hana Khan. She is 9 years old and attends the New Horizon Elementary School, Irvine. She enjoys playing soccer, draw, visit Disneyland and of course write stories. Last year Hana while in her local library, came upon a children's story writing contest.
This contest was co-sponsored by Baker & Taylor Inc. and Red Cygnet Press. The contest was for kids ages 12 and under to create an original story based on Baker & Taylor's famous cat mascots. Baker & Taylor, the world's largest book and entertainment distributor, named Hana Khan the winner of the Baker & Taylor/Red Cygnet Press Young Author Writing Contest. Her manuscript was selected from over 300 entries to be printed as a children's book.
Khan's entry, entitled Taylor's Birthday Party, has been published by Red Cygnet Press in August of 2008. Khan, has also appeared with Baker & Taylor at the American Library Association summer conference in Anaheim, CA in June 2008 for a book signing in their booth.
Red Cygnet, the publisher partner in the contest, paired Khan's winning story with illustrations by Mai S. Kemble to create a picture book for children aged 3 - 7. Taylor's Birthday Party has been published by Red Cygnet and distributed through Baker & Taylor Inc.
"Red Cygnet is very excited to be able to extend our mission down to the younger grades," said Bruce Glassman, President and CEO of Red Cygnet Press. "It's been so gratifying to publish ‘undiscovered’ talent at the college level, and now we can do it at the elementary level, too."
The story which Hana came up with, all on her own, is about two young cats. The cats Baker and Taylor are best friends. As Taylor's birthday approaches, Baker decides to have a surprise party for his friend. However, being a cat, many small tasks prove to be quite difficult. When Taylor finally arrives Baker explains that the party after all has not turned out as planned. However, in the end Baker learns that it’s his effort that really matters to Taylor.
Today Hana's book is available in select Orange County libraries. It is also available for sale online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Barnes&Noble.com,Borders.com, Towerbooks.com, etc.
Hana’s family is from Lahore, Pakistan. She has two siblings: Maryam Khan 12, and Mohammad Ammar Khan 6.

Hana Khan lives with her proud parents in Irvine. Hana’s parents, Mansoor and Nasreen Khan, are from Lahore. Hana’s dad came to the US in 1985 and her mom followed after they got married. Nasreen is a graduate of Kinnaird University and has studied English literature while Mansoor has a BS in Electrical Engineering and also has an MBA degree.

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