The Day Saida Arrived

 

If you are looking for a story about how friendship and kindness can overcome obstacles such as a language barrier, then you need this book. The young narrator explains that she tries to find Saida's words, but her parents explain that the words aren't lost. When she learns that Saida comes from Morocco and knows different words for things, the girls begin to share their words. As they teach each other the English and Arabic names for things, the words are shown in the illustrations in both languages. 

The lyrical description of how Saida "drew them with those letters that sometimes looked like flowers and other times like insects" captures the allure of learning a new way to write words. The narrator repeats the words Saida shares "slowly so that the sounds would become rooted in my memory and on my lips." And for those who wish that all new acquaintances could be so welcoming to each other, there is the plan to someday visit Saida's "land of spices and camels" and, when that day comes, to "happily throw overboard unwelcome words like border."

For those trying to build a more diverse and welcoming collection, this story of immigration and friendship is a good addition to your shelves.