Leila in Saffron
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
“Glorious.” —Kirkus Reviews
A colorful journey of self-discovery and identity, this sweet, vibrant picture book follows young Leila as she visits her grandmother’s house for their weekly family dinner, and finds parts of herself and her heritage in the family, friends, and art around her.
Sometimes I’m not sure if I like being me.
When Leila looks in the mirror, she doesn’t know if she likes what she sees. But when her grandmother tells her the saffron beads on her scarf suit her, she feels a tiny bit better. So, Leila spends the rest of their family dinner night on the lookout for other parts of her she does like.
Follow Leila’s journey as she uses her senses of sight, smell, taste, touch to seek out the characteristics that make up her unique identity, and finds reasons to feel proud of herself, just as she is.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In a lyrical story about identity, family origins, and self-worth, Leila sees only her "skinny arms and knobby knees" in the mirror. But during a gathering at her Naani's house, Leila looks to her family "for parts of me that I like." She notes the similarities between her smile and her aunt's, looks forward to buying books written in Arabic during her first trip to Pakistan, and regards Naani's silk scarves in "the color of lentils, bright and orange; pomegranates, juicy and rosy; cucumber skin, dark and green; and threads of saffron, gold and copper." Her careful observations lead her to discover a unique internal mosaic of influences that "make me who I am." Mirtalipova illustrates in dramatic jewel tones that capture a homey atmosphere of abundance and warmth. Ages 4 8.
