By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 7/15/22 – Naveed Mardi is currently a children’s book author and highly sought after Manny, working with families around the Los Angeles area. The very reason his books exist is because a lot of the time Naveed isn’t “allowed” to leave until he gives a bedtime story!
Mardi has been able to come up with all sorts of stories, like Maple, the Syrup Sneezing Tree!
Before becoming a Manny, the Venice-based Mardi worked as a TV Host and played professional rugby. In his free time, he enjoys surfing (although he likes to say he’s only good at carrying his board to the water), beach rugby, and writing stories for children.
Can you share a bit about yourself with our readers?
I’m a children’s book author and professional Manny, currently working mainly with high profile families in the Los Angeles area. If you would have told me 6 years ago that this is what I’d be doing, I wouldn’t have believed you, especially following a career as a pro rugby athlete!
I’ve always loved working with kids and was lucky enough to fall into this. When I moved to Los Angeles, I was offered a part time job as a Manny and it grew into a career from there. Telling bedtime stories comes with the territory, and I can always come up with a new one on the spot.
So, I decided to really run with one of the stories, and write it down! The first book I wrote was Maple, the Syrup-Sneezing Tree. After I produced Maple, I found that the ideas just kept on flowing, so I continued developing more and more stories!
What was the inspiration behind your first book?
As a Manny, if I’m not coming up with my own story for the kids on the spot, I am constantly surrounded by children’s books. My job makes it easy to be inspired by new books everyday and always be studying other authors’ flow and style.
Maple, the Syrup-Sneezing Tree is available online on Amazon and on my website and has been very well received. I recently announced my next book, Alien Pizza!
Tell fans what we can expect from your new book Alien Pizza and when will it be available?
Alien Pizza is about a boy named Gus who needs something super cool for show-and-tell, like a new pet. When he orders pizza from an out-of-this-world joint, an unexpected creature tags along. It might be just the thing for show-and-tell—if Gus can catch it!
Alien Pizza will be out in early Fall.
Do you think if you told your younger/kid self you would grow up to be a writer, you’d believe it?
I most definitely am not a natural writer, and I really have to work at it. Let’s just say my high school English teachers would be shocked to hear I’m a writer now. I am, however, a “natural born storyteller” so I think the kid version of myself would think this was the path all along!
You first came to LA with plans for TV. Do you have plans to turn these books into children’s shows or series?
It’s true I worked as a TV host for several publications in LA like Afterbuzz TV by Maria Menuenos.
I would love to see these books come to life on the big screen. I also have ideas for travel meets education shows with kids that I would host. Some things are in the works, so stay tuned!
Where can our readers keep up with you?
You can follow my adventures on Instagram @naveedmardi and www.naveedmardi.com