Reviewed by Makai Kellogg and Magy Youssef
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Randa Abdel-Fattah
Eleven Words for Love: A Journey through Arabic Expressions of Love, by Palestinian-Egyptian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, is summarized on the back cover:
A lyrical narrative of a Palestine family in exile explores universal bonds of family, loyalty, and friendship through the lens of eleven Arabic expressions of love.
The reader follows along the pages of a family photo album featuring loving interactions and special spaces accompanied by poetic descriptions of each form of love that is felt and expressed. The inclusion of Arabic can be familiar for some readers while exposing others to new symbols or ways of writing. The Arabic script is followed by phonetic spelling that non-Arabic speakers can use to pronounce each word. The print is large and easy to read. Each explanation is succinct in length but the language is sensory-filled and emotive from the love of pets, between siblings, among friends, and more.
Eleven Words for Love provides positive representation for Arabic speakers and families experiencing forced removal or immigration. At a time where there are conflicting understandings of what Palestine is and continuity of harmful stereotypes of Palestinian people, this book can make connections and build empathy. Palestinian-Egyptian early childhood educator, Nadine Foty, writes about the books she never had as a child and why children’s literature that tells Palestinian stories benefits all children.
“There are eleven words for love, and my family knows them all,” is repeated throughout, reiterating pride and celebration of family. Maxine Beneba Clarke’s colorful illustrations support the journey with a 3D feel, reminiscent of burlap. The drawings capture the family’s cherished moments and evoke many feelings. The descriptions of love can encourage deeper discussions, including examples from your life, and inspire readers to tell their personal story of love and family. We both found links to this book in our own way.
Magy: I made a personal connection with the different definitions, the art, and overall story. I grew up speaking both Arabic and English and felt it was shameful to admit to knowing Arabic, especially at the time of 9/11 as an elementary school student. I believe it is empowering to see this kind of book where Arabic-speaking children can feel seen and heard. This book also instills confidence and voice to remain authentic without feeling too different or ashamed of who you are. After reading this fantastic book, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride. I admired the beautiful illustrations and was able to read and pronounce the words in Arabic with my family. We discussed the various types of love and genuine care within the community in the story and could connect and relate to all eleven words.
Makai: My daughter Justice and I were having a conversation about love. Justice was rationalizing that if she loves mom, then she can’t love her dad. I reminded her that she can love many people at the same time in different ways. I immediately grabbed the book Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love. After each page, both Justice and I were able to provide an example of who we engage with in that way or a time that reminded us of that specific love. I also used the book to share stories about our family’s experience as both immigrants and refugees from Afghanistan.
We absolutely recommend this book and hope the reader (big or small) spreads the message of love in their own journey.
Makai Kellogg (she/her) is an early childhood educator and Equity and Diversity Coordinator at School for Friends in Washington, D.C. She co-leads the Anti-Bias Early Childhood Working Group through the DC Area Educators for Social Justice. Makai has published articles related to anti-bias education and contributed a chapter to the book Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice.
Magy Youssef (she/her) has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She was a lead teacher of the toddler group at School for Friends and also worked in different capacities in the school. Magy is currently working as a behavior technician in California. Her focus continues to be working with children on their social-emotional needs and guiding them to discover and foster empathy and kindness in their daily life.
Makai and Magy recently co-authored the book Reflection, Perspective-Taking, and Social Justice: Stories of Kindness and Empathy in the Early Childhood Classroom.
Find more recommended titles on our Immigration, Palestine, and Arab and Arab American booklists.
Eleven Words for Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Published by Candlewick Press on November 7, 2023
Genres: Arabic, Immigration and Emigration, Palestine
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Early Childhood, Grade K, Grades 1-2
ISBN: 9781536230215
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Publisher's Synopsis: A lyrical narrative of a Palestinian family in exile explores universal bonds of family, loyalty, and friendship through the lens of eleven Arabic expressions for love.
A family has fled their homeland in search of safety in another country, carrying a single suitcase. As their journey unfolds, the oldest child reflects on the special contents of that suitcase: photo albums that evoke eleven of many names for love in Arabic. From sunshine-warm friendship to the love that dissolves all tears; from the love that makes you swoon to the love that leaves you yearning for the heart's homeland, her family has experienced it all. Illustrated in vibrant watercolor pencil and collage on textured card stock, this moving scrapbook shows a family embracing an unknown future even as they honor the past, casting immigration and the refugee experience in the light of universal human connection.
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