Leila in Saffron - by Rukhsanna Guidroz (Hardcover)

About the Book

Shy and unsure of herself, Leila discovers all the things that make her special with the loving help of her Naani.

Book Synopsis

"Glorious." --Kirkus Reviews

A colorful journey of self-discovery and identity, this sweet, vibrant picture book follows young Leila as she visits her grandmother's house for their weekly family dinner, and finds parts of herself and her heritage in the family, friends, and art around her.

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 Quotes

"A glorious book that's a feast for both eyes and ears, this story set in a multicultural context will ring true for children of all stripes. "-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"A lyrical story about identity, family origins, and self-worth."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Every page is a vibrant celebration of Pakistani food, art, cloth, language, and culture, from mandala patterns to the elaborate rugs on the walls and the glossary with pronunciations and definitions of Arabic terms. The use of colors--pomegranate, lentil, cucumber--is stunning, starting with the gorgeous gold leaf of the title. Even the endpapers are exquisite. This book is a strong addition to any diverse book collection and would do well in classrooms and libraries and parents' laps alike."-- "Booklist Online Exlcusive"

"Leila's journey is a beautiful one to behold, and children will want to take it with her as they discover the power of love and family traditions."-- "School Library Journal"

"This is a warm celebration of extended family and the way that such intergenerational connections can help model futures for youngsters negotiating their own identity."-- "BCCB"

About the Author

Rukhsanna Guidroz was born in Manchester, England. With a Persian-Indian father and a Chinese mother, Rukhsanna was always drawn to traveling to faraway places. After studying French at King's College, London, and political science at the Sorbonne, Paris, she left for the steamy shores of Hong Kong. There, she worked as a reporter for the Hong Kong Standard daily newspaper, and later as a producer of the current affairs show Hong Kong Today for RTHK's Radio 3. She also wrote features for in-flight magazines for China Airlines, Qantas, and Emirates. Inspired by all her life experiences from Europe to Asia, and now to Hawaii, Rukhsanna has many written adventures to share.

Dinara Mirtalipova is a self-taught illustrator and designer. Born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she studied computer science at the Tashkent State University of Economics, however her true passion was always pattern and illustration. Raised in Soviet Uzbek culture, Dinara's artwork is greatly influenced by Uzbek and Russian folklore. Currently, Dinara works from her home studio in Sagamore Hills, Ohio. She uses a wide range of materials and tools, such as linoleum block, gouache, acrylic, and more.