A lyrical narrative of a Palestinian family in exile explores
universal bonds of family, loyalty, and friendship through the lens
of eleven Arabic expressions for love.
A family has fled
their homeland in search of safety in another country, carrying a
single suitcase. As their journey unfolds, the oldest child reflects
on the special contents of that suitcase: photo albums that evoke
eleven of many names for love in Arabic. From sunshine-warm
friendship to the love that dissolves all tears; from the love that
makes you swoon to the love that leaves you yearning for the heart’s
homeland—her family has experienced it all. Illustrated in vibrant
watercolor pencil and collage on textured card stock, this moving
scrapbook shows a family embracing an unknown future even as they
honor the past, casting immigration and the refugee experience in the
light of universal human connection.
