Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It's young Samira's first time shopping with her grandmother in Tehran, and as the pair walk to the city's busy bazaar, she clutches onto Mama Shamsi, anxiously asking about the market: "How big will it be? Will I get lost in the crowd?" When Samira next proposes hiding under her grandmother's chador, Mama Shamsi, repeating "Na, na, na," laughingly explains that Samira--clinging to her back, or huddled against her rear or belly--will have others thinking she's a turtle, mule, or kangaroo. Each of the pair's rhymed exchanges convey a sweet bond as detailed by Hassani and Iravani, who describe Tehran as a magical city and the chador, per an authors' note, as a "safe and comforting space." Fidawi's collage-like digital illustrations overlay realistic city scenes with playful images of Mama Shamsi's imaginings, sweetly blending the realistic with the fantastical. Ages 4--8. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--A young girl accompanying her grandmother to the bazaar is nervous about getting lost in the busy market. Samira suggests that she hide under Shamsi's chador, perhaps riding on her back or tucked in by her belly. Her grandmother gently turns down each idea, replying that the merchants will think she is a turtle all hunched over or perhaps a kangaroo with a pouch. Illustrations show Shamsi transformed into a mule and even a giraffe too tall to fit on the page, inviting readers to laugh at the silliness. Images also capture the loving relationship between Samira and Shamsi, as well as showing details of the bazaar. Intricate tilework, Arabic script on banners and shop signs, and vendors selling fresh bread all bring the market to vibrant life. The mother-daughter team of authors based the story on their own experiences with a grandmother's chador as a safe place to shelter. Hassani also pulled from her memories of the bazaar she visited during her childhood in Tehran, while the illustrator used her knowledge of the Arab world to make each scene so authentic one can almost smell the steamed beets. VERDICT An affectionate portrayal of a grandmother and grandchild that also showcases a cultural garment in much the same way as Carmen Tafolla's What Can You Do with a Rebozo?--Suzanne Costner
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Review by Horn Book Review
Samira, a young Iranian girl, is accompanying her grandmother, Mama Shamsi, to the outdoor market for the first time. As they walk through the streets of Tehran, Samira playfully proposes various ways that she can hide under Mama Shamsi's chador so that she won't get lost at the big, crowded, noisy market. Each time she does so, the long, black, cape-like garment takes on the shape of a different animal, to her grandmother's mock dismay. The joshing gives way to an empowering conclusion, as Mama Shamsi affirms Samira's ability to confidently explore and navigate the world around her. The book reflects the authors' own childhood experience of the often-disparaged chador as a source of safety and comfort. Digital illustrations chock-full of interesting, culturally authentic details wrap this story up nicely. (c) Copyright 2024. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When an Iranian child and her grandmother set off for Tehran's bazaar, the little one sees it as an opportunity to hide in her grandmother's chador. Although Samira is eager to help her grandmother shop, she worries that the marketplace will be overwhelming. Despite Mama Shamsi's reassurance, Samira asks if she can hide under her grandmother's chador. Mama Shamsi counters Samira's requests with clever responses, claiming, for example, that if Samira huddles on Mama Shamsi's back, the pair will look like a turtle and that if she squeezes against Mama Shamsi's belly, they will resemble a kangaroo. The back and forth continues until they arrive at the bazaar, where Mama Shamsi promises Samira that she will always keep her safe. The rhythmic, playful text beautifully captures the dual patter of an excited child and a bustling city. The authors' note, which describes the writers' own childhood experiences playing with their relatives' chadors, not only imbues the text with meaning, but also helpfully points out elements of the richly hued, often comedically exaggerated illustrations that they find particularly Iranian and especially meaningful. The authors also stress the importance of offering a loving depiction of the chador to counter portrayals of the veil as "a symbol of hate." Although the title is a bit misleading (the tale ends just before the characters enter the bazaar), this is nevertheless a charming and comforting tale. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet and gentle story about an oft-misunderstood garment. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
