Blurb: "The new girl, from Morocco, doesn't speak. She doesn't speak English, that is. But when her classmate welcomes the girl the share her native Arabic, the two forge a forever friendship while learning about the vast wonders in the world around them."
The narrator of this gentle story is determined to help her new friend Saida find her words and in turn the young English speaking girl will learn new words too such as these:
Blue 'azraq أزرق
Butterfly farasha فراشة
Pelican baje بجع
Rainbow qus almatar قوس المطر
Saedia (Saida) which means Happy سعيدة
This is a book I would share with children aged 7+ but you could also use it with an older group. This text quote would make a terrific starting point for a discussion about words and communication and the power of language:
"And we knew that in all languages, there are words as warm as breath and others cold as metal. Words that bring us together, and words that separate. Words that cause hurt, words that awaken laughter. Words that tickle when they're spoken, and others that, when we hear them, feel like a hug."
Read some reviews of this book:
A lyrical, playful book about immigration, respect, learning, and friendship across cultures. Kirkus
Who are Blue Dot? "Blue Dot Kids Press inspires curiosity with beautifully crafted stories that connect us to each other and the planet we share. Written and illustrated by impassioned storytellers and artists from around the world, our books engage young readers’ innate sense of wonder and empathy, connecting them to our global community and the pale blue dot we call home."
Here is a video of Lawrence Schimel reading an extract from this book.
I would pair this book with Phileas's Fortune.
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