Egyptian Lullaby

February 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-A young Egyptian girl excitedly awaits the arrival of Egyptian Auntie Fatma, who "brings a little of our old life with her," every time she visits. Their time together includes lots of traditional meals, special Egyptian treats, conversation, and a lullaby, sung to her by Auntie Fatma each night. Based on the sounds of Egypt, the cumulative verse starts with the Nile, "which flows through the city. Swish, swoosh, swish." It continues aboard a boat; through the city; past the mosque; through the streets with their donkey carts, buses, cars, and trucks; and continues on by the people, dogs, and the children playing soccer. The story wraps with reassurance that her aunt will be waking up in Cairo as she falls asleep each night, so the song will always be with her. The repetitive refrain, reminiscent of The Napping House, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, and other cumulative picture books, will engage young lap listeners and story time attendees alike. Vibrant illustrations bring bustling Cairo to life. VERDICT A sweet peek into Egyptian family culture that is relatable to all. Purchase for picture book collections where representation of North African, Arabic, or, Egyptian traditions is lacking.-Jennifer Noonan

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March 15, 2023
A melodious lullaby reminds an Egyptian child of the sensory delights of the city they left behind. When Ametti Fatma comes to visit from Egypt, her comforting presence and gift of sweet sahlab, as well as the family's increased use of Arabic, make the young narrator miss Cairo, her old home. Though the girl and her family have not yet gone back, Ametti Fatma assures the little one that those who have drank from the Nile will always return. And each night, Ametti Fatma sings a soothing, "House That Jack Built"-style lullaby ("This is the Nile, / which flows through the city." "This is the boat that glides on the Nile, / which flows through the city..."). In the child's dreams, she and her aunt are transported back to Egypt, where they take in the many sights and sounds of the Cairene landmarks and streets, filled with Egyptians diverse in age, skin tone, size, and ability. Though Ametti Fatma's visit eventually comes to an end, the child knows that her auntie's song and her memories of her former home will always be with her. Aly's busy mixed-media illustrations creatively incorporate photos of buildings, food, animals, and more, while Pliska's text makes effective use of onomatopoeia. Together, they bring to life a crowded, cacophonous, yet vibrant, alive, and beautiful city. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A lovely ode to geographic, cultural, and familial ties. (author's and illustrator's notes, glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 14, 2023
A beloved family member’s visit from Cairo brings “a little of our old life with her” in this cumulative tale centered on the city’s sights and sounds. A child narrator is excited at the arrival of Auntie Fatma: “our house is full of Arabic for two whole weeks. It makes me miss Cairo.” At bedtime, Auntie Fatma reassures (“Don’t worry... once you drink from the Nile, you’ll always return”) and, to assuage the child’s yearning, “sings the sounds of Egypt to me as I fall asleep.” These include the “swish, swoosh, swish” of the Nile, the mosques’ call to prayer, and sounds of animals, people, and vehicles. Pliska’s rhythmic prose creates a tangible sense of depth, the city’s bustle orchestrated as a layered soundscape while the Nile whispers underneath. Similarly layered are Aly’s digital illustrations, which include fields of pattern and color, scribbly elements, and scanned photos and textures, all of which suggest the lively city of the family’s experience and memory. Creators’ notes and a glossary conclude. Ages 4–8.