About This Book:
A lyrical narrative of a Palestinian family in exile explores universal bonds of family, loyalty, and friendship through the lens of eleven Arabic expressions for love.
A family has fled their homeland in search of safety in another country, carrying a single suitcase. As their journey unfolds, the oldest child reflects on the special contents of that suitcase: photo albums that evoke eleven of many names for love in Arabic. From sunshine-warm friendship to the love that dissolves all tears; from the love that makes you swoon to the love that leaves you yearning for the heart’s homeland—her family has experienced it all. Illustrated in vibrant watercolor pencil and collage on textured card stock, this moving scrapbook shows a family embracing an unknown future even as they honor the past, casting immigration and the refugee experience in the light of universal human connection.
*Review Contributed By Connie Reid, Staff Reviewer*
Lovely Message
Eleven Words for Love gives poetic explanations for the Arabic words used to describe love. Featuring the Arabic and English versions of the word we get lovely heartfelt illustrations depicting the love for neighbors, friends, siblings, pets, lost ones, and between two souls to name a few. This book gives a positive representation of Arabic people with simple terms and warm illustrations to highlight their hearts full of love. I do wish a pronunciation guide would have been provided by the word or in the back so non-Arabic readers could more successfully say the words. Overall, a nice warm representation of Arabic people.
