Our Full Story
Past Members
The Local Bookshelf was founded in 2021 during the global pandemic. We understand that self-publishing can be a challenging and lonely journey and it's important to have a supportive community by your side. From book reviews to highlight features and author interviews, we strive to provide our members with the resources they need to elevate their craft. While some members may move on to different phases of their publishing journey, we are committed to sharing their stories and accomplishments with readers from all walks of life.

Sandip Sodhi
Sandip is a British born Canadian with a Sikh Punjabi heritage. She is the youngest of six children and grew up in East Vancouver. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband and daughter. Sandip loves and encourages laughter wherever she goes.
Sandip is a BIPOC children’s book author and teacher. Sandip wrote “Ms. Chievus in the Classroom” in 2020, “Talk to Me, What Do You See? Beauty and Joy from A – Z” in 2021 and is in the process of releasing her third book. Sandip’s books include themes surrounding inclusivity, diversity, social-emotional learning, and humour.
Sandip has been teaching for more than 25 years in Surrey. She was an intermediate teacher for many years and is currently the Teacher-Librarian at Sunnyside Elementary School in South Surrey where she teaches students from kindergarten to Grade 7.
Fun Fact
Sandip went skydiving at the age of 49! She also loves to play pranks on friends and family.
Hieu Pham-Fraser
Hieu has worked as an educator for over 27 years. She is currently a District Principal supporting schools in the Metro Vancouver area.
Hieu wrote The Little Girl because she saw a need for our society to understand that name is identity. After watching her students change or anglicize their names to better “fit in,” Hieu decided to share her story. The Little Girl helps us think how we welcome others who don't look like us, speak like us, or have the same cultures and histories as we do. The book has been enjoyed and read by children and adults aged 3 to 83!
Fun Fact
Hieu claims she is 5’0” in the morning before gravity weighs her down! Also, Hieu always forgets something, like her phone, or her bag, or her shoe…a shoe, who does that?!
