"The Arabic Quilt". - a bookwrap

 of wh

Unwrapping

Authored by Aya Khalil

Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

* Ages:  6-8

* Grade Level:  1-5

* Hardcover:  36 pages

* Publisher:  Tilbury House Publishers, 1 edition

* Pub. Date:  February 18, 2020

* Language:  English

Editorial Reviews

“A full cast of narrators brings life to this audiobook, making listeners feel like we are in the kitchen with Kanzi's Egyptian family or in her third-grade classroom at school. On her first day of school, a classmate, Molly, teases her about her native language. Her teacher responds by assigning a class project that teaches the value of being bilingual: a quilt with all the students' names in Arabic. Lively music enhances the happy mood of triumph as the class quilt is unveiled. By the end of the audiobook, Molly's voice has changed from snobbish to contrite, and Kanzi's from ashamed to proud. Also included is a glossary of Arabic words spoken in Egyptian dialect and a list of English words derived from Arabic.”

- AudioFile review

“SLJ Starred Review -- A timely, heartwarming story with expressive, vibrant illustrations that complement the text. This story will boost immigrant children’s morale and teach others to be more open-minded.”

- Noureen Qadir-Jafar, Syosset Library, NY, School Library Journal

Is it possible that a kid’s book can make a grown person cry? Yes, most definitely, because I did while reading Aya Khalil’s debut picture book The Arabic Quilt- An Immigrant Story. The term “children’s book” is misleading. They should generally just be called books, because it’s stories like these that deserve a larger audience than only the market it’s being targeted to.

The Arabic Quilt is an endearing story of little Kanzi’s first day of 3rd grade in the U.S. She recently immigrated with her family from Egypt and doesn’t want any extra attention on her than is necessary. Whether you are a new immigrant or several generations removed, this story will especially be felt by families where the parents: speak a different language, dress in traditional clothes or send ethnic food for lunch. Or, like me, all of the above. Hence, the waterworks.

Even though my kids are not immigrants to the U.S., and neither am I, this scene has played out before with my own children at their school. Once, after seeing me dressed in hijab, my daughter got asked, “Why does your mom wear that?” “Does she have hair?” It is so hard for children to just want to belong and find their place, without their classmates making it harder.

”

- Isra, Muslims in Kid Lit

“"In the end, Kanzi’s most treasured reminder of her old home provides a pathway for acceptance in her new one"”

- Goodreads

“One of the Eighteen 2020 Children's Books You'll Want on Your Reading LIst This Year”Abi Berwager Schreier, Romper

Unwrapping Some Wonderful Illustrations for You

The Book

This is a charming story about being proud of who you are and celebrating your heritage.  

Kanzi and her family move from Egypt to America.  When she attends her first day of school her heart's desire is not to be looked upon as different but be similar to all the other kids in her class.  The students start teasing her because she eats different foods at lunch and her language is not American - perfect. 

Feeling sad and ostracized Kanzi goes home and curls up inside a beloved quilt that her grandma (Teita ) made for her.  She writes a poem for her parents in Arabic.  


"Shukran Mama and Baba,
For always encouraging me to be proud
of speaking a different language
and speaking it out loud.  
Languages can unite us together
like a quilt,
So I will aways speak my
languages without guilt. 
I will never be ashamed to speak,
in this language that is so unique.
Bahebek, Mama.
Bahebak, Baba."

The next day at school her wise and creative teacher reads Zanzi's poem and has a brilliant idea.  She encourages the class to make a quilt of their own, one with each student's name written in Arabic.  Zanzi's mother comes to class and both she and her daughter become translators as they transform each child's name from English into Arabic.  The students are excited to see their names magically appear written in another language. In doing so the students discover the beauty, value and fun of speaking another language.   

Molly, the most insistent and insensitive teaser, has a change of heart towards Zanzi and they become friends.  Zanzi's shame turns into pride which is wonderful to behold.  The author includes a glossary of Arabic words spoken in Egyptian dialect and some English words that have developed from Arabic.  I am sure kids will find this component fascinating.... who knew?  The story is about tolerance and acceptance.  It is a positive and uplifting message that will inspire others to be kind, understanding and knowledgeable regarding other races and cultures. 

The illustrations are very well done.  They are colourful and very expressive defining the characters perfectly.  I highly recommend this book.  

Storywraps Rating - 5 +++ HUGS! 

Meet the Author

Author: Aya Khalil is a freelance journalist and educator. Her debut picture book, The Arabic Quilt, is based on events from her childhood, when she immigrated at the age of one to the U.S. from Egypt with her parents and siblings. She lives in Toledo, Ohio with her husband, Abdalrahman, and their three children. She's been featured in  Teen Vogue, Book Riot, Yahoo! and more. Her work has been featured in The Christian Science Monitor, The Huffington Post, Muslim Girl, Toledo Area Parent and more.

About the Illustrator

Illustrator: Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Armenia, Anait now lives near Seattle with her husband, twins, and a shaggy Labradoodle. She studied Economics, but Art has always been a big part of her life, she spent hours copying Disney

 characters as a kid. Much later her passion for creating characters and capturing their emotions led her to children's book illustration. Anait joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and now most of her time is dedicated to

 drawing for kids. 

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