Sakina and the Uninvited Guests - by Zahra Marwan (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From Ezra Jack Keats Award honoree author Zahra Marwan, a picture book about the magic power of art to connect us to the past and to each other.

* "A powerful story." -School Library Journal, starred review
* "Begs multiple viewings." -Horn Book, starred review
"Stunningly illustrated." -Kirkus Reviews

When a sandstorm descends upon the city, Sakina and her mama forego their plans to visit the beach and head to the local museum instead. While Sakina yawns and scowls at the boring old relics, her mama's eyes keep filling with tears, moved by the details she recognizes.

But when it's finally time to leave the museum, Sakina returns home with something unexpected . . .

Can three uninvited guests help Sakina see the museum through her mama's eyes?

This gorgeous, sweeping picture book illuminates the incredible power of art: it humanizes our ancestors, connects us to the past and to each other, and reflects the essential, universal human need to be understood and remembered.

Discover another deeply moving story from Zahra Marwan, the critically acclaimed creator of the New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book Where Butterflies Fill the Sky.

Review Quotes

"A powerful story about how the art left behind in history acts as a bridge to humanity's present . . . Marwan's signature watercolor-and-ink illustrations are rich and vibrant. . . . Alternating between tangerine hues to ocean blues, the color ebbs with emotion." --School Library Journal, starred review

"This imaginative book invites readers to learn more about their heritage through art; the illustrations beg multiple viewings." --Horn Book, starred review

"Watercolor and ink illustrations alternate between softly colored, whimsical sketches of reality and dreamy, impressionistic lapis images." --Publishers Weekly

"A stunningly illustrated celebration of heritage." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A] unique, resonant story celebrating the transformative power of memory." --Booklist

"The interplay of simple, literal prose and complex, figurative illustration here lifts this sensitive and useful picture book on immigration into an inviting exploration of how experiences are transformed by time and memory." --BCCB, starred review, on WHERE BUTTERFLIES FILL THE SKY

"[A] sensitive and beautifully depicted story." --School Library Journal, starred review, on WHERE BUTTERFLIES FILL THE SKY

"Utterly original and enjoyable from start to finish." --NPR, on WHERE BUTTERFLIES FILL THE SKY

"A colorful, captivating odyssey for younger readers." --Shelf Awareness, on WHERE BUTTERFLIES FILL THE SKY

"[A] poignant, playful picture book . . . Marwan's dreamlike artwork grounds her tale in the wistful warmth of memory." --New York Times, on WHERE BUTTERFLIES FILL THE SKY

About the Author

Zahra Marwan is the author of Where the Butterflies Fill the Sky, which has received notable acclaim including recognition as one of NPR's Best Books of the Year, the Society of Illustrators' Dilys Evans Founders Award, a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books Award, and an Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Award. Zahra has also been recognized by the United Nations with an International Minority Artist Award, and by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators with an Out of the Margins Award. She currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
zahramarwan.com
@zahra_marwan