Deep in the Sahara

by Kelly Cunnane and Hoda Hadadi

Hoda Hadadi (Illustrator)

"Poetic language, attractive illustrations and a positive message about Islam, without any didacticism: a wonderful combination," declares Kirkus Reviews in a starred review.

Lalla lives in the Muslim country of Mauritania, and more than anything, she wants to wear a malafa, the colorful cloth Mauritanian women, like her mama and big sister, wear to cover their heads and clothes in public. But it is not until Lalla realizes that a malafa is not just worn to show a woman's beauty and mystery or to honor tradition—a malafa for faith—that Lalla's mother agrees to slip a long cloth as blue as the ink in the Koran over Lalla's head, under her arm, and round and round her body. Then together, they pray.

An author's note and glossary are included in the back of the book.

• ISBN10: 0525645667
• ISBN13: 9780525645665
• Publish Date: 1 May 2018 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Dragonfly Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 40
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780525645665

Reviews

[cherryblossommj]

Juvenile Fiction/Girls & Women
Ages 4-8, Preschool to 3rd
Pages: 40 Hardcover 10x10"
Date Published: October 8th, 2013
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (Random House)

I am a Christian with a degree in Religious Studies and I think having picture books to introduce children to other cultures and belief systems is important. This would also be fabulous in a Muslim home with a daughter maturing in her faith. Full of vocabulary this story with lovely illustrations follows a Mauritanian (West Africa) girl around as she desires to be like the adult women in her life wearing a malafa (cloth wrap of the Muslim faith). Full of opportunities to show and teach multiculturalism, this book is very appropriate for demonstrating difference in a coming of age experience.

The only issue I had was in the small print/font. Yet I read a digital advanced reader copy and that make vary with the final book.