derby5's review against another edition
5.0
I just love how sweet and simple this is. This is a lovely picture book with beautiful illustrations and wonderful themes: cross-religious friendships, cross-generational friendships, and treasuring family.It says so much, without saying too much: we're all different, but we're all the same.
abigailbat's review against another edition
This beautiful, simple picture book celebrates the special relationship between a girl and her grandmother in Iran.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
A gentle story of friendship and kind understanding.
agudenburr's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story about a little girl's memories of her grandmother in Iran. The story showed the bond with her grandmother and her Muslim traditions.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
Now an adult, Mina lovingly remembers her grandmother who was living with her family during her childhood. As a child, Mina loved to do everything her grandma does. Every morning, Mina and her grandmother would greet the day with prayer. Afterward, they would await the delivery of their daily bread, part of which they would share with their neighbors, Mina's best friend Annette and her grandmother. Later, in the garden, while grandmas knitted, Mina and Annette played. When grandma sewed some new chadors, Mina would use the chadors to build a pretend rocket ship, draping them on the table. During Ramadan, Mina always ate with her grandmother, even when she was too young to fast. Grandma sewed Mina's first chador when she was older and together they walked to the mosque. There, grandma prayed that Annette's grandmother would go to heaven, and at church, Annette's grandmother prayed that Mina's grandma would also go to heaven. This warm tribute to her grandmother is also a nice introduction to Islamic traditions and an inclusive Iran unfamiliar to today's kids. The mixed media illustrations are done in soft pastels with lots of Persian elements included. This is an engaging story that should get kids talking about the things they like to do with their own grandparents.
erine's review against another edition
reflective
A young girl's really gentle and loving look at her grandmother. The illustrations support the text nicely. This would be a really lovely book for anyone who wants to celebrate their relationship with their grandmother.
Note: the story focuses on Iranian culture.
Note: the story focuses on Iranian culture.
bookdragon_library's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good book that shows life in Iran and also shows the relationship between a girl and her grandmother. It also shows the relationship between neighbors next-door or the little girls and the grandma‘s are best friends. I assume the neighbors are Christian but it doesn’t specifically say. A little girl and her grandmother are Muslim. I like the where at Shaws getting bread through the baskets and the illustrations have beautiful patterned rugs and fabric in a lot of places. And has different cultural references and talks a little bit about Ramadan and going to the mosque.For some reason the cover and the illustrations made me feel like this book was older than 2019. A good addition to a library.
gmrickel's review against another edition
5.0
For anyone who loves their grandma, this book is for you. The author recounts her life growing up with her grandmother, how much she adored and emulated her. This book is also a lovely picture of how one Iranian Muslim grew up, with mentions of prayers and holidays. She and her grandmother are best friends with a Christian family, and there are some very sweet moments that remark upon these relationships. Given the islamophobia in the US and the prevalence of Christianity, I think this is a great book to have on our shelves. One of the pages says, "The next morning when I saw Annette, she whispered a secret to me: 'Last night at the church, my grandma prayed for your grandma to go to heaven!' My eyes widened. 'My grandma did the same thing at the mosque!' Annette and I looked up. Our grandmas were talking and drinking coffee together. I could imagine them knitting and laughing together anywhere -- on Earth, on Mars, or in heaven." This book is not preachy in its inclusion of religion, it is included as just one aspect of life.
I was really drawn to the art. It is listed as "mixed media" and to me it looks like a combination of pen & ink with watercolor. There are so many gorgeous patterns and plants in this book! It is colorful and details. There is a fair amount of text, so not a great pick for a story time, but definitely a book to highlight. Normally I'd shy away from highlighting a book that depicts any religion, but I feel differently about this one.
I was really drawn to the art. It is listed as "mixed media" and to me it looks like a combination of pen & ink with watercolor. There are so many gorgeous patterns and plants in this book! It is colorful and details. There is a fair amount of text, so not a great pick for a story time, but definitely a book to highlight. Normally I'd shy away from highlighting a book that depicts any religion, but I feel differently about this one.
kalynharris's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
nataliedtate's review
5.0
This is one of the most beautiful picture books I've read in a long time. The illustrations are stunning, the protagonist and her grandmother are charming, and the storytelling offers children (and adults!) wonderful insight into both Iranian and Muslim culture. This one is definitely going on my bookshelf.