Children's Books
Picture Book Review: Leila in Saffron
This is a really sweet story of self-discovery.
We received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: June 25th, 2019
Written by: Rukhsanna Guidroz
Illustrated by: Dinara Mirtalipova
Cover Copy
Sometimes I’m not sure if I like being me.
When Leila looks in the mirror, she doesn’t know if she likes what she sees. But when her grandmother tells her the saffron beads on her scarf suit her, she feels a tiny bit better. So, Leila spends the rest of their family dinner night on the lookout for other parts of her she does like.
Follow Leila’s journey as she uses her senses of sight, smell, taste, touch to seek out the characteristics that make up her unique identity, and finds reasons to feel proud of herself, just as she is.
Review
This is a really sweet story of self-discovery. It’s about finding the things that make you you, and loving them for being part of yourself. It’s subtle and sweet, and I love the fact that it is a Pakistani girl. We learn not only the broader concepts of loving yourself for all the pieces that make you who you are, but we also see into this girl’s life and customs and how similar and different they are to our own. Something we had not yet had in our library at this age range.
One such example: Leila’s family has a weekly get together type dinner with her grandparents and other extended core family members, same as we do. But they sit on the floor to eat, which we do not. It was fun to see Madeline enjoy and discover things like that in this book. She had a big smile on her face the whole time we read it.
It also bears mentioning that this is a really pretty book. I love the colors and patterns and I think Madeline was entranced by them also!
Kid Ratings
- Font Readability: 10/10
- Kid Engagement: 10/10
- Mommy Engagement: 9/10
