Tag Archives: tatreez

Jan11

We are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition by Reem Kassis illustrated by Noha Eilouti

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The book is non fiction, the author not Muslim, but here I am reviewing this book because, we are all Palestinian and my heart enjoyed reading this 112 page book that covers Geography, Cultural Symbols, Creative Minds, Agriculture, Cuisine, Performing Arts, and History and Religion for middle graders and up.  The book is a celebration rooted in information and expressed with beautiful illustrations, fun facts and text blurbs to break up the text.  I do wish it was sourced, and I desperately wanted a map, particularly in the section on geography- it seems odd in fact that it doesn’t have one.  The book contains information about the nakba, but doesn’t let it control the narrative or overshadow the culture that thrives in Palestine and in all Palestinians. Undoubtedly, this is an important book to spend time with and share, especially as the global media is currently working overtime in attempts to erase the richness, joy, and even basic humanity of an entire population.

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The section on Geography covers Jerusalem, Gaza, Jericho, Akka, Haifa, Yaffa, Nazareth, Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Ramallah.  Some cities are combined and are featured on a full two-page spread after an introductory page for the section.

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Cultural Symbols covers the national anthem and flag, Handala, tatreez, thobes and gold hat, hatta and egal.  I enjoyed learning more about cultural items that have become increasingly familiar, but whose origins, importance, and displays were new.

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The Creative Minds section focuses on people both currently still living and deceased.  I always struggle with books that highlight important people because how they are chosen is always such a mystery, and this book at least acknowledges that this is just a tip of the iceberg cross-section of people influential, talented, and noteworthy.

The Agriculture and Cuisine sections are a celebration of food and resources that most of us who have been privileged to have Palestinian friends sharing their lunch and dinner with will find particularly enjoyable.

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Performing Arts was informative and new to me, and I think further shows the depth and richness of the culture.  It highlights specific people, dances, cinema, and instruments in this section.

The final section of History and Religion starts with ancient history, followed by the Nakba, al Naksa, and then a two page spread on Islam and a two page spread on Christianity.

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Notably not mentioned in the entire book is Israel, and in the religion section there are no other faiths shared except Christianity and Islam.  The author seems to be making a point, by what is included, and what is focused on, and keeping the light shined on Palestine. There is an index, but no sources.

Jun2

Laith the Lion Goes to Palestine by Jameeleh Shelo illustrated by Sara Mcmullin

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Laith the Lion Goes to Palestine by Jameeleh Shelo illustrated by Sara Mcmullin

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This 36 page toddler to kindergarten book features a little lion that doesn’t like to sleep.  One night he wishes for friends to play with and his crib starts shaking and moving and a magical adventure begins to unfold. The story highlights and celebrates Palestine, as that is where the crib takes him, but the story is also about not wanting to go to sleep, not wanting to miss anything fun, and seeing nighttime and daytime routines.  I love that it shows tatreez (embroidery), and mentions olives, and the friends he makes on the beach playing soccer are so welcoming, even gifting him a keffiyeh to keep warm with, but I really wanted more sites of Palestine, and more childish adventure and wonder about the beloved country.  The book mentions wishing and uses the word “hate” in describing how Laith feels about bedtime.  The taytas wear hijab, but there is no mention of religion.  The book is a great introduction to Palestine or a mirror for Palestinian children to see themselves in a fun animal led universal story.

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Laith is a lion, his mom is a giraffe and his father a bird (perhaps a hawk or falcon), he loves bath time and story time, but not bedtime, he doesn’t want to miss anything.  So when he makes a wish and finds himself flying outside in his crib, he is disappointed to see mama and baba asleep. his taytas asleep, and all of his friends sleeping too.  He wishes for someone to play with, and roar he is off to Palestine, where his night is their daytime. 

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In his world every character is an animal, but in his adventure, the characters are human.  He sees a grandma and eats an olive before asking some kids playing soccer on the beach if he can join.  As they play and cheer he gets cold and wants to go home.  He invites his friends, but they have to stay.  They gift him a keffiyah, and he leaves. 

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On his way back to his room, he looks in on his friends. Daliyah is getting dressed for school.  Zain and Idris are brushing their teeth, and his taytas are making breakfast. When he wakes up he tells his parents he wants to go back to Palestine, and they remark on him having a beautiful dream. 

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I love that there are diverse kids depicted in Palestine, that Laith’s grandmas are involved in his daily life, that the concept of day and night on different sides of the world is accounted for.  I don’t know how I feel about the voyeurism, sure it is innocent enough, but maybe Daliyah could have been getting ready for school, rather than getting dressed.  I like that the keffiyah came back with him and the illustrations show the Dome of the Rock.  

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I bought this as an ebook, because I was impatient and didn’t want to wait for shipping to show support to Palestinian books and authors.  It came with a coloring sheet as well, and is $2.99 on the website https://www.laiththelion.com/ it is also available as a hardback book on the website (heavily discounted) or on Amazon at its regular price.