Review by Booklist Review
When a sandstorm sidelines a seaside visit, a museum is the disappointing alternative. A bored little girl trails after her mother and puzzles over her mom's captivation with each exhibit. Soon Sakina notices something odd: Are the sculptures winking at her? That night, Sakina discovers that three tiny, rambunctious beings--a winged lion, a chubby crocodile, and a shy jaguar--have followed her home. Struggling to keep them quiet and clean up their chaos, she pauses to reflect on their stories, stirring memories of her own. As the sandstorm clears, the uninvited trio departs, but the next morning, her mother's gift of these same creatures as porcelain figurines affirms Sakina's promise to remember them and the tales they represent. With loose, flowing lines and a chalky palette of pinks, greens, and blues, effectively punctuated by solid black, acclaimed author Marwan's art creates a dreamlike mood enriched by carefully observed detail. An author's note provides context on Middle Eastern history and culture, enhanced by Marwan's description of the personal experiences and influences inspiring this unique, resonant story celebrating the transformative power of memory.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
On a day when a sandstorm's "dust has made the city orange," young Sakina reluctantly accompanies her mother to a museum rather than the hoped-for beach. There, she sees only "old, boring, boring things," Marwan (The Strangest Fish) writes. But she is taken aback by her mother's perceptions: "this looks like my uncle, that looks like my mom," Mama says in tearful wonder; "I used to have a ring like this. And doesn't this look familiar?" Back home, Sakina finds three museum objects that have come to life and accompanied her home--"an eager, chubby crocodile, a cluelessly shy blue jaguar, and a clumsy lion with wings." Pursuing them through the residence leads her to a photograph of her grandmother and a realization that she, too, is a vessel of history and connection: "Thousands and thousands of years, in little Sakina." Watercolor and ink illustrations alternate between softly colored, whimsical sketches of reality and dreamy, impressionistic lapis images that show Sakina and her mother as part of the flow of time and generations. The protagonists are portrayed with pale skin and black hair. An author's note concludes alongside a contextualizing note about how "language functions as a visual art in the Islamic world." Ages 4--8. Agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Agency. (Apr.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
When a sandstorm makes "the city orange -- the sun like a tangerine, the waves like clementine peels," Sakina and her mother spend the day at a museum. While her mother is moved to tears, Sakina is confused by the sculptures of a "chubby crocodile filled with papers," of a jaguar guarding Hammurabi's Code, and of winged lions. She throws herself on the floor in exasperation at "these old, boring, boring things." A few sculptures follow her home, where they cause a ruckus. Sakina realizes the crocodile is stuffed with poems, one of which pleads, "I hope they will remember me." Looking at her grandmother's photo, Sakina cries as she finally understands that the crocodile is a memorial. Watercolor and ink illustrations bring the unnamed city to life as yellow sand-coated landscapes contrast with blue waters, palm trees, and Arabic letters and calligraphic inscriptions that float in the air. Sculptures wink, strut, stretch, and sneak into backpacks. Art (the "uninvited guests") literally comes alive and shows Sakina how the "old" and "boring" can be fascinating and connected to family histories. This imaginative book invites readers to learn more about their heritage through art; the illustrations beg multiple viewings to notice details. An author's note adds context about the ancient artwork and the etymology of the citrus fruit Sakina enjoys. Julie Hakim AzzamMarch/April 2025 p.52 (c) Copyright 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
An unexpected museum trip changes the way a girl sees her past. Tan-skinned, dark-haired Sakina's plans for spending the morning at the seashore are dashed by a sandstorm. So she and her mother head to the museum, where the bored Sakina observes several statues: "chubby crocodiles filled with papers," a "blue jaguar guarding the first set of laws ever written," and "winged lions." Back home, she realizes that a tiny crocodile, jaguar, and lion have stowed away in her bag. Sakina chases them through the house, only to stumble upon a picture of her grandmother that she's never before taken the time to examine. The photograph is just the start of a series of reminders that "thousands and thousands of years" exist both within the magical artifacts and within Sakina. Rendered in a gold and pastel palette, the artwork is sumptuous. While the text is lyrical, at times it feels cryptic; Sakina's discovery that there are poems written on Crocodile's papers leads to a sudden appreciation of her heritage, though it's not clear why. Marwan's author's note, which discusses the work of 19th-century archeologists and her own experiences visiting institutions such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, fills in some gaps, but adults may need to help young readers parse some of the story's elements. Though it's never stated where Sakina lives, the backmatter and the use of Arabic imply a Middle Eastern setting. A stunningly illustrated celebration of heritage that will require some adult guidance.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
