Ali the Great and the Market Mishap (Ali the Great)

Employing the feel of a classic aughts family cartoon, Faruqi (the Mayra Khan series) and Rahmalia (Gracie Brings Back Bubbe's Smile) collaborate on a freewheeling series starter that emphasizes a child's creativity and quick thinking. Pakistani American youth Ali Tahir is thrilled when his grandfather, whom he calls Dada, suggests an outing to the local South Asian market to pick up snacks. When Dada and Ali bring along Fateh, Ali's toddler-age younger brother, Dada asks Ali to help him keep an eye on Fateh--after all, "one thing Fateh was good at was trouble." Upon their arrival to the market, Fateh--awed by the many colorful and delicious snacks on offer--nearly knocks down an entire display in his haste to grab a bag of chips. Ali successfully circumvents disaster, but when he loses sight of Fateh, Ali draws upon his problem-solving skills to find his brother and prevent further trouble. Rahmalia's dynamic and brightly colored illustrations portray the myriad emotions Ali experiences during his eventful market adventure. Includes an Urdu glossary, discussion questions, and lists of jokes and cultural snacks. Publishing simultaneously: Ali the Great and the Dinosaur Mistake, Ali the Great and the Eid Party Surprise, and Ali the Great and the Paper Airplane Flop. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)

Fans of Faruqi's popular Yasmin series will be pleased to meet Pakistani American secondgrader Ali Tahir and his family. In this early chapter book, Ali, along with his grandfather and mischief-prone little brother, Fateh, go on a snack run. At the South Asian market, keeping an eye on Fateh is an adventure. Ali's quick reflexes and creative thinking thwart a spicy-chips display disaster as well as a lost-sib debacle. A preface offers an introductory character guide and an Urdu glossary. Three ultra-readable chapters feature large type font, generous line spacing, and short sentences. Indonesian illustrator Rahmalia's dynamic cartoon vignettes are full of energy and personality. Back matter includes "Think Big with Ali the Great" discussion questions, some jokes, and a snack lexicon of Dada's favorite Pakistani tasty treats, like crispy nimko and salty chickpeas. An irresistible series opener that leaves young readers hungry for more.—Linda Ludke, Booklist