(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. Kanzi (the Arabic-speaking Egyptian girl whose potholed transition to life in America was portrayed in The Arabic Quilt) feels marginalized when her school's library is denuded of books that reflect the experiences and perspectives of underrepresented groups. Adult characters scaffold a discussion with the kids about the current book banning movement (some readers might find the school librarian's explanation for the bans simplistic). Kanzi proposes a school-wide protest-slash-bake-sale that sees her using her voice for change, raises money to buy books to donate to Little Free Libraries, gains local attention, and occasions a book ban reversal. Digital illustrations incorporating Arabic text add to the instructiveness of a story put into context by an author’s note.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ward Jenkins. The Islamic greetings Salam Alaikum (informal) and Assalamu Alaikum (formal), meaning "peace be upon you," provide the poetic refrain for this picture book comprised of lyrics to British Muslim singer Harris J's international hit. The messages regarding love, peace, and community are augmented by (somewhat overly) cartoonish digital illustrations showing a diverse urban community of adults and children helping one another. Music not included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr. Syrian artist Badr used ordinary beach stones to compose the three-dimensional collage art depicting the harrowing journeys that many present-day Syrians undertake. Ruurs's free-verse text, in English and Arabic, chronicles one specific journey of fictional girl Rama, whose family must flee its war-torn village. A memorable look at what it means to leave one's home in search of "a bright new future." Websites.

Reviewer: Debora Pearson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(3) K-3 Translated by Nuha Albitar. Illustrated by Ned Gannon. In a bilingual English and Arabic text, Addasi's narrator describes her introduction to Muslim prayer rituals while visiting her grandmother in an unspecified Middle Eastern country. The information imparted about Islam will make this book valuable for many readerships. Rich-hued illustrations with patterned borders reflect the loving familial relationship.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(1) K-3 Pages attached to the front inside cover open to the left and show a boy in Sydney, Australia. On the opposite cover, pages open to the right and follow a boy in rural Morocco. A bilingual introduction (the book is otherwise wordless) notes that the boys' lives are different but also similar; Baker's minutely detailed collages will keep viewers searching for comparisons.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(2) PS Calabash Cat "set off down the road to see where the world ended." Different animals are convinced that their limited terrain is the entire world until an eagle provides the cat with a bird's-eye view. Rumford uses folk-art patterns from Chad to decorate each animal. Arabic text parallels the English, adding to the message that different parts of the world tend to see things from their own perspectives, but that the only way to see clearly is to rise above it all.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2003