Ayah and the Big World Outside
Written by Souad Shehab
and Julie Sedivy
Illustrated by Barkha Lohia
Published by Orca Book Publishers
Today is baking day.
Once a week Ayah and her mother get to use the tandoor oven at their refugee camp. While they bake, Ayah talks about her teacher asking the class what they want to be when they grow up. Her mother wonders if Ayah wants to be an engineer or a singer…but Ayah has never met anyone like that.
While getting some fresh air, Ayah rests her eyes until a swallow says hello. “Please can I have some bread?” it asks. Ayah shares her snack, and the swallow tells her about its travels. Ayah has never seen the world outside the fence—she thought it was all dangerous. The sparrow explains that there are many places without war, and he invites her to climb on his back to fly with him and see the world for herself. Together they soar over fields and mountains and busy cities, and when Ayah returns, she can dream of a future where she’ll be free.
Également disponible en Français, Ayah et le Vaste Monde.
Primary ISBN: 9781459843646
Publication Date: April 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Palestinian/Palestinian American
Themes: Animals, Family Relationship: Parents, Identity: Exploration, Loss of Childhood, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Refugee Journey, Refugee: War/Conflict, Setting: Refugee Camp, Trauma & Healing
Setting: Syria
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee, Refugee Camp
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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