Fatima's Great Outdoors

After a tough week of being teased by her American schoolmates, Fatima Khazi is looking forward to a much-needed break--her Indian family's first camping trip ("a great American pastime," Papa proclaims). Memory-making highlights, digitally drawn by Lewis (Lost in the Library) with reassuring sensitivity, will resonate with readers of all backgrounds: there's a car sing-along (to Bollywood's Mohammed Rafi), a stubborn tent ("Papa grumbled in Urdu when the pieces wouldn't fit"), and a frightening spider. And when their campfire is the only one in the park that won't catch ("Why did Fatima's family always have to be so different?" the girl frets), Mama saves the day. Fatima initially dreads returning to the dissatisfactions of everyday life, including school and her parents' long work hours, then realizes that she now has "superhero" confidence--and great material for show and tell. While the writing sometimes tells rather than shows ("The Khazies didn't use paper plates because they were too expensive"), debut author Tariq, founder of social media initiative @BrownPeopleCamping, has created an authentic, affectionate portrait of how outdoor spaces can offer a saving grace and a sense of belonging. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Zoe Sandler, ICM Partners. Illustrator's agent: Ed Maxwell, Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc. (Mar.)

K-Gr 4--After a trying week of microaggressions and outright harassment from students at school and a bad grade on a math test, Fatima Khazi can't wait to get away for her family's first camping trip. On the drive to the state park, Fatima is comforted by samosas and Bollywood music, even as her older sister's achievements at school make her feel small. Tariq deftly weaves together the Khazi family's life experiences in India with the trip, by juxtaposing the parents' upbringings, and showing Fatima build confidence through camping. A four-paneled spread, in vivid cartoon style, is used at the beginning and end of the book. It reflects Fatima's feelings of distress at school and the freedom, happiness, and belonging that she finds in nature. Though the text does not explicitly name the family as Muslim, naming conventions and the family cooking halal beef bacon, provide clues to their background. The family is mentioned as Urdu-speaking; terms are not defined in the text or glossary, centering the characters of the narrative. Though the story can be read as present day, there are nods to the recent past. The last spread illustrates a group of campers with a sign "Brown People Camping" in reference to Tariq's social media initiative. VERDICT Most collections will benefit from this multilayered work of joy and validation.--Ariana Sani Hussain, The Blake School, Wayzata, MN