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Children's Fiction Africa

Egyptian Lullaby

by (author) Zeena M. Pliska

illustrated by Hatem Aly

Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Initial publish date
Apr 2023
Category
Africa, Multigenerational, Bedtime & Dreams
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781250222497
    Publish Date
    Apr 2023
    List Price
    $23.99

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Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 4 to 8
  • Grade: p to 3

Description

A rich, beautifully layered ode to the great city of Cairo, Egypt, its people, and culture.
Every night, my Ametti Fatma sings the sounds of Egypt to me as I fall asleep.
This is the Nile,
that flows through the city.
Swish, swoosh, swish.
This is the boat,
that glides on the Nile,
that flows through the city.
Swish, swoosh, swish.
Each night, a young girl's Auntie Fatma puts her to bed, singing a lullaby filled with rich imagery of her home in Egypt. As Auntie Fatma sings, we are given a glimpse of modern Cairo, from boats making their way down the Nile to gentle calls to prayer from the mosques to young children joyfully playing soccer in the streets.
Join Zeena Pliska and Hatem Aly on a vibrant journey to Cairo in this gorgeous, layered song.

About the authors

Zeena M. Pliska's profile page

Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator who currently lives in beautiful New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people. He has illustrated many books for young people that earned multiple starred reviews and positions on the New York Times bestseller list including The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, In My Mosque by M. O. Yuksel, the Newbery Honor winner The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz, The Unicorn Rescue Society series also by Adam Gidwitz with several amazing coauthors, Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi, Raj’s Rule (for the Bathroom at School) with Lana Button, How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller, and Ethan and the Strays by John Sullivan. He has more upcoming books and projects in the works. You can find him online @MetaHatem or MetaHatem.com.

Hatem Aly's profile page

Editorial Reviews

"A sweet peek into Egyptian family culture that is relatable to all." - School Library Journal
"A lovely ode to geographic, cultural, and familial ties." - Kirkus Reviews
"Resonant and stylistically unique." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Layered [and] lively." - Publishers Weekly

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