EGYPTIAN LULLABY

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.