The Day Saida Arrived by Lawrence Schimel, Sonja Wimmer, Susana Gómez Redondo
Published by Blue Dot Kids Press on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 1733121250
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Saida, newly arrived from Morocco doesn’t speak and a classmate and potential friend thinks she has lost all her words. She tries to look for them so that Saida’s tears and silence go away. So, slowly the two of them seek and find ways to communicate – through drawing a hug, a heart, a camel, palm trees, through  patience, and the sharing of their languages, word by word. Slowly, bridge is built and two girls from very different places become friends. With lyrical text and words in both English and Arabic the reader begins  to understand what immigration is about.  Lush illustrations handpainted with  acrylic paint and crayon convey the feelings that words may not.   Blue Dot Kids Press offers books that invite the reader to experience a sense of wonder and empathy that connects them to the global community.  A new approach to the immigration experience, this should be used in units about immigration, feelings and friendship.                             Gr K-4           ( consider for cream)                                                                                                                                  Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine