Amber Rizaei

Hi! I’m Amber Rizaei (pronounced riz-eye).

I grew up in a suburb of Chicago. I had a great, carefree childhood, but I also grew up quite sheltered and naive.

In my first year of college, I taught children in the city. It was eye opening!

After my second year of college, I visited Belize. Here I taught children, but really they taught me! I went there feeling bad for the luxuries we take for granted. I left knowing my lifestyle isn’t always “the best” just because we have shiny, new toys.

A little girls voice still rings in my head, “I wanted to give you something before you leave to remember me. (She hands me a braided string, a friendship bracelet.) I know it’s not much, but I don’t have much. I feel rich though, because I am rich with love. My families love, God’s love, and my friends.” I’ll never forget that moment.

The next year, I met my husband. For two years, we had lived and worked 2 minutes from each other. It wasn’t until we met online that we ever knew the other existed.

We had a private ceremony, we bought a house, we had a baby, we got a puppy, and we moved to a new house.

Life has been beautiful.

My husband is from Afghanistan. We had very different childhoods, and I like to bring our family’s culture into my stories.

I had many questions at first and have always had an open mind.

I am always open to answer questions as well. No question is ever ‘dumb’ no question is ever ‘offensive.’ There are a lot of things I was not taught about Afghanistan while growing up in America.

I hope that my stories will bring new light and curiosity into your home. I hope you and your little ones find the urge to learn more about many cultures!

Reading a bedtime story has always been such an important part of our lives. My daughters look forward to it every night. I hope reading brings you together too.

Thank you for supporting me in my dreams of being an author.

-Amber Rizaei