Zain Bandali (he/they) is an author, poet, and unapologetic storyteller. Zain’s poetry can be found in multiple publications, and his spoken word has graced stages across his home province of Ontario. His debut children’s book Mehndi Boy, is a Silver Birch Express Nominee and was recognized as a “Best Bet” by the Ontario Library Association and as a “Best Book for Kids” by the New York Public Library in 2023.

Zain studied at the University of Waterloo and was awarded the Upkar Arora Social Impact Leadership Scholarship for his work in creating QTPOC KW (Queer Trans People of Colour Kitchener Waterloo), a community group for racialized LGBTQ+ folks on campus.

For four generations, his family lived in East Africa, with roots tracing to the Kutch and Gujarat regions of India. Zain has never felt like he had a homeland – it feels like all these places and none of these places at once. For him, home is simply where memories are made with loved ones.

Zain loves collecting shawls, taking bubble baths, and hanging out in nature. Zain is a cat dad, and adopted a 3 year old rescue named Minerva in 2024. Zain loves growing vegetables but cannot always stomach the hot chili peppers he grows.

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