Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar

It is Samira’s first time going to market with her grandmother in Tehran. She is worried about getting lost and wants to hide in Mama Shamsi’s Chador. I loved the humor of the grandmother who allayed her granddaughter’s fears by telling her she couldn’t hide and all the silly animals they would look like if she did try to hide. The illustrations were rich with detail in bringing Tehran to life in a positive way.
Final Verdict: The authors said in a note that the chador is often used as a symbol of misunderstanding and hate by those from outside the culture. The goal was to show the chador as a warm and comforting space. With that goal in mind, the authors did an excellent job. I can imagine how little kids would play in the chador and smell the familiar scents of the loving family member who wears it. This book makes a positive impression without being preachy. It is a child’s tale that gives those outside the culture some understanding of their perspective while being a book that is relatable to those who share the culture. All children should have good books that represent their truths and this book looks like it has a good representation of an underrepresented and often misunderstood minority that will be good for American audiences.