Review Detail

Rooted in Palestinian heritage, Hilwa's Gifts is a lovely story about family traditions and the bond between a grandson, his grandfather, and their favorite olive tree.

Anait Semirdzhyan’s digital artwork does a masterful job establishing the scene and progressing to the harvest. The beauty and activity of a Palestinian village flow seamlessly in an energetic pattern of full and reduced scenes. Each illustration evokes warmth and emotion, you can see how much love surrounds the harvest.

There is information about picking the fruit, processing, and making soap and oil with olives, but the book's take away is just sore cheeks from smiling, and a full heart from feeling the importance, love, and tradition of olives, family, and being together.
There is nothing religious in the text or about the current situation, the politics, the upheaval, or the occupation. However, one can choose to dive deeper into the story if one wishes.

The author's notes share that olive trees are some of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, and the pride of many Palestinian farmers. A glossary is included that translates Arab words and includes pronunciations.

The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is both engaging and inspiring. I recommend this book for young readers!