Deep in the Sahara

Cunnane (Chirchir Is Singing) introduces a Mauritanian girl who’s fascinated with the malafa, the veil the women in her family wear. The second-person narration (“you watch Mama’s malafa flutter as she prays”) presents the veil as desirable rather than confining and describes the girl’s wish to wear it so she can be beautiful, like her mother, or mysterious, like her sister. Her relatives reject these superficial reasons. It’s not until the girl shows she understands the malafa as a sign of Muslim belief (“Mama... more than all the dates in an oasis, I want a malafa so I can pray like you do”) that Mama gives the girl one of her own. The warm, affirming portrait of Islam (“A malafa is for faith”) makes this a valuable resource for both Muslim audiences and a broader readership interested in potentially unfamiliar customs and observances of faith. In Iranian artist Hodadi’s U.S. debut, her round-faced characters and affectionate scenes of Mauritanian family life (drinking tea on cushions, carrying trays of goods to market) keep the atmosphere friendly and lighthearted throughout. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2013:
Poetic language, attractive illustrations and a positive message about Islam, without any didacticism: a wonderful combination."

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, September 9, 2013:
The warm, affirming portrait of Islam makes this a valuable resource for both Muslim audiences and a broader readership interested in potentially unfamiliar customs and observances of faith.

Starred Review, School Library Journal, November 2013:
"This book incorporates authentic cultural details in both the poetic text and the evocative illustrations... [A] lovely original story."

Starred Review, Booklist, November 15, 2013:
The women, all individualized, exude true warmth, and readers will feel a quiet satisfaction when Lalla joins them. A special offering.