Hello, and Welcome to Addis Leaf Press

About the Author

I'm Seyoum Haddis— a storyteller, a dreamer, and the heart behind Addis Leaf Press.

My story begins in Debre Marcos and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I spent part of my childhood surrounded by rich culture, warm sunlight, and the melody of the Amharic language. Life later brought me to Sweden, ... a country full of forests, quiet winters, and its own beautiful language — a place I've come to call home.

Living between two worlds — two languages, two cultures — shaped everything about how I see stories. And it's exactly why I created Addis Leaf Press.

Why "Addis Leaf"?

In Amharic, my mother tongue, "Addis" means "new."

So Addis Leaf is a newborn leaf — a little leaf just beginning to grow, reaching toward the light. That's how I see every child, every story, and every reader who picks up one of my books. Small, tender, and full of possibility.

What I Write

At Addis Leaf Press, I write children's picture books rooted in Ethiopian folktales and gentle life lessons — many of them available in both English and Swedish. My stories celebrate courage, honesty, kindness, unity, and the quiet strength of every little heart.

Whether you're raising a bilingual child, teaching a second language, or simply love beautiful picture books, I hope these stories find a warm home on your family's shelf.

A Little More About Me
When I'm not writing, you'll find me spending time with family. My stories draw inspiration from the Ethiopian folktales I grew up with, as well as from folktales I gathered and documented during my journeys through Ethiopia between 1993 and 1996 — quiet listening, storytelling nights, and voices I still carry with me today.

Thank you for being here. Stories grow when they're shared — and I'm so glad to share mine with you.

With warmth,
Seyoum Haddis
Founder & Author, Addis Leaf Press