{"id":33109,"date":"2018-08-10T22:34:29","date_gmt":"2018-08-11T02:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=33109"},"modified":"2018-08-10T22:34:29","modified_gmt":"2018-08-11T02:34:29","slug":"review-of-yaffa-and-fatima-adapted-by-fawzia-gilani-williams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=33109","title":{"rendered":"Review of Yaffa and Fatima, adapted by Fawzia Gilani-Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Yaffa and Fatima<\/p>\n

Shalom, Salaam<\/em><\/p>\n

adapted by Fawzia Gilani-Williams
\nillustrations by Chiara Fedele<\/p>\n

Kar-Ben Publishing (Lerner), 2017. 24 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a lovely tale about cross-cultural caring. The note at the front says it\u2019s adapted from a tale with both Jewish and Arab origins about two brothers. The author has changed it to a story about two neighbor ladies, one Jewish and one Muslim.<\/p>\n

The story is told simply and beautifully, fitting for a traditional tale.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how it begins:<\/p>\n

In a beautiful land, called the Land of Milk and Honey, there lived two neighbors. One was named Yaffa and the other was named Fatima.<\/p>\n

Yaffa and Fatima each owned a beautiful date grove. During the week they both worked very hard gathering their dates.<\/p>\n

On most days Yaffa and Fatima sold all their dates at the market and were able to buy plenty of tasty food to eat \u2013 which they often shared.<\/p>\n

Yaffa loved Fatima\u2019s shwarma. And Fatima loved Yaffa\u2019s schnitzel.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The book tells more about Yaffa and Fatima\u2019s routines. Yaffa is highlighted in blue and Fatima in red, against a lovely brown background. They pray in different places. The read from a different book in the morning. They fast at different times. They celebrate different holidays. But this is still true:<\/p>\n

They both loved God, and they both loved to follow God\u2019s way.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They each wish the other \u201cPeace,\u201d but use a different word to do it.<\/p>\n

When a drought hits the land, each of the neighbors lies awake at night worrying that the other neighbor doesn\u2019t have enough to eat. So each one goes secretly to put some of her dates in the other\u2019s basket.<\/p>\n

Each one is surprised when they find more dates than they thought they had. <\/p>\n

The next night, they go to do the same thing \u2013 but this time they spot each other. They hug, laugh, wish each other peace \u2013 and decide to share a meal of dates and tea.<\/p>\n

Now, my summary doesn\u2019t really communicate the charm and warmth of this lovely book. Children will readily understand the message that people can deeply care for one another despite external differences.<\/p>\n

karben.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/yaffa_and_fatima.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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