Leila in Saffron

April 1, 2019
Little Leila discovers that she is so much more than just "skinny arms and knobby knees." Leila is at her grandmother's house for their weekly Friday family dinner. When Naani tells her, "Saffron is a good color for you," a buoyant Leila goes on the lookout for other things to like about herself. That evening, Leila is delighted to discover that she and her aunt have the same smile. She also bursts with pride when everyone praises the curry she helped Naani make (with some cilantro from neighbor Miguel's garden). Just before going home, Leila tries on Naani's saffron-colored silk scarf and is surprised by how beautiful she looks in the mirror. Only then does she realize that "each and every part of me comes together to make me who I am." While young children may need help understanding how Leila gets from A to B, there is much to love about this book. Guidroz's sensory magic shines in the "clink clink" of Naani's glass bangles and in her shimmering silk scarves "the color of lentils, bright and orange," and "pomegranates, juicy and rosy." Plus, Mirtalipova's mixed-media illustrations expertly convey the vivacity and warmth of Leila's family and their Pakistani culture. A glossary in the back provides pronunciations and definitions for Arabic and Urdu words included. A glorious book that's a feast for both eyes and ears, this story set in a multicultural context will ring true for children of all stripes. (Picture book. 4-8)

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April 15, 2019
In a lyrical story about identity, family origins, and self-worth, Leila sees only her “skinny arms and knobby knees” in the mirror. But during a gathering at her Naani’s house, Leila looks to her family “for parts of me that I like.” She notes the similarities between her smile and her aunt’s, looks forward to buying books written in Arabic during her first trip to Pakistan, and regards Naani’s silk scarves in “the color of lentils, bright and orange; pomegranates, juicy and rosy; cucumber skin, dark and green; and threads of saffron, gold and copper.” Her careful observations lead her to discover a unique internal mosaic of influences that “make me who I am.” Mirtalipova illustrates in dramatic jewel tones that capture a homey atmosphere of abundance and warmth. Ages 4–8.

June 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-In her sophomore offering, Guidroz (Mina and the Monsoon), introduces Leila, a Pakistani-American girl visiting Naani (her maternal grandmother) for dinner. The book is an explosion of color and an exploration of family, togetherness, and belonging. Upon entering the house and looking in a mirror, Leila initially expresses low self-esteem. But as she moves through the evening, she describes her family and their traditions, and this reflects back her own true beauty in the end. Mirtalipova renders the entire book, especially Naani's house, in great detail, from the intricate flower patterns on the endpapers, rugs, and pillows, to the ornate metalwork on the staircase, and the delicate ornaments and books from Pakistan that Leila admires. The colors are lush pops of orange, pink, teal, and gold, which Guidroz describes in Naani's voice as the colors of lentils, pomegranates, cucumber skins, and saffron. A scarf in this last color inspires Leila to see herself as she is in the mirror, "A beautiful girl dressed in a sweet saffron scarf." Leila describes her evening using all of her senses, as she smells the ghee, and hears Naani's bangles. The cumulative experience of the book is being immersed in this warm environment. A slight stumble is the brief introduction of a gardening neighbor named "Miguel," whose appearance disrupts, rather than adds to, the narrative. Seven words, which appear throughout the book, are defined in a glossary, though their origin languages (Arabic and Hindi) are not named. VERDICT Leila's journey is a beautiful one to behold, and children will want to take it with her as they discover the power of love and family traditions.-Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

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