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“Hazar Elbayya’s affecting debut provides hope for peace, community, and freedom in a war-stricken time….To a child, this story is an excellent way to connect conflict with community.”

—Booklist, Starred Review

“A plea for peace that younger readers will clearly hear, pointing no accusatory fingers, but shining with steady resolve to endure.”

—School Library Journal, Starred Review

My Olive Tree

Written by Hazar Elbayya
Illustrated by Hazar Elbayya
Published by Anne Schwartz Books

Salam’s grandpa says that olive trees are strong and that their roots run deep in their Palestinian land. They connect everyone–from the farmer who presses the olives into oil to the baker who uses the oil in his taboon.

Salam plants her own seed and is eager to see it grow. She waits… she waters… she asks the seed to hurry… until finally…a sprout! But one day soldiers come and destroy everything in their path…including Salam’s new olive tree. Salam is crushed–though she doesn’t have to worry. Her grandpa gathers their neighbors and, together, they plant olive trees as far as the eye can see.

With spare, sensitive prose and gentle illustrations, debut author-illustrator Hazar Elbayya delivers a powerful story about the beauty of the olive tree and the importance of community in the face of hardship.

Primary ISBN: 9780593810224
Publication Date: September 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Palestine

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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