Deep in the Sahara
Written by Kelly Cunnane
Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books
Lalla lives in the Muslim country of Mauritania, and more than anything, she wants to wear a malafa, the colorful cloth Mauritanian women, like her mama and big sister, wear to cover their heads and clothes in public. But it is not until Lalla realizes that a malafa is not just worn to show a woman’s beauty and mystery or to honor tradition for faith that Lalla’s mother agrees to slip a long cloth as blue as the ink in the Koran over Lalla’s head, under her arm, and round and round her body. Then together, they pray.
Primary ISBN: 9780375870347
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 05 or older
Community Represented: Mauritanian/Mauritanian American, Muslim/Muslim American
Themes: Family Relationship: Parents, Religious Background: Muslim
Setting: Mauritania
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: In Home Country
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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