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lookingglassreader's review
4.0
This was an gorgeously illustrated story with so much meaning and importance. Lalla is a girl growing up in West Africa, seeing her female relatives and friends wearing their beautiful malafas and pining for one herself. Throughout the story, Lalla learns the true meaning of wearing the malafa. This book is important even to adults. There is a misnomer about why Muslim women wear hijabs, malafas, or other clothing. It is often a representation of their faith, which many Americans don't consider. Loved this book for its representation of that.
katyjean81's review
5.0
Beautiful illustrations, poetic text, and an educational message. It's a great way to introduce non Muslim children to an aspect of West African Muslim culture.
thompson3's review
4.0
More than anything in the world, young Lalla wants to wear a malafa like the women in her village. With brilliant and boldly colored illustrations and gentle, lyrical text, the reader will follow Lalla as she discovers the secrets behind the beautiful malafa.
kbilan71's review
4.0
Deep in the Sahara depicts a young, Muslim girl growing into her faith and understanding what the malafa represents. It is a very positive and nurturing portrayal of a cultural practice that can be controversial - the covering of women's heads and bodies.
cweichel's review
4.0
I put books on order because I read wonderful reviews about them. When the boxes arrive it is like my birthday and Christmas all rolled up into one brown box. This book is one of those surprises.
The illustrations are stunning. The detail in the sand reminds me of growing up in the semi-desert of the Southern Okanogan valley. There is more richness and detail in what many see as baron land than you can imagine.
The story is so very sweet. Everyone can relate to this young girl's yearning to be like the older women and girls in her community.
The illustrations are stunning. The detail in the sand reminds me of growing up in the semi-desert of the Southern Okanogan valley. There is more richness and detail in what many see as baron land than you can imagine.
The story is so very sweet. Everyone can relate to this young girl's yearning to be like the older women and girls in her community.
margothere's review
4.0
Beautifully illustrated, the book shares the meaning in the wearing of the malafa in Muslim West Africa. A beautiful book.
bdietrich's review against another edition
4.0
Read for 5427 class
Deep in the Sahara has a setting that is not very familiar with American readers. As such, it provides an excellent window for readers to learn about Muslim traditions in Africa. This is an important concept for Americans to grasp as we are increasingly becoming a more global society and are thrust into situations with people who have different traditions, religions, and languages than us. In a time ripe with violence, hatred, and fear directed toward Muslims, this book can help stop that ugliness from being passed on to younger generations. Additionally, in the author's note at the end, Cunnane admits that when she traveled to Mauritania in 2008-2009, she arrived with the prejudice that the Muslim women there were oppressed into wearing malafas. However, Cunnane learned differently: they wear them to symbolize their dedication to their faith and the show that dedication with bright colors and beautiful malafas. That Cunnane was willing to admit her prejudices and that she was wrong is also an important lesson for children to learn in an age when "the customer is always right" and extreme stubbornness.
Synopsis:
Lalla wants to wear a malafa, a full-body scarf that grown women wear in her country of Mauritania. She talks to her sister, her cousin, her grandmother, and other women in her village, telling them that she wants to wear the malafa like they do to be mysterious, grown, a follower of the old traditions, and beautiful. They laugh and say that wearing a malafala is more than that. As the evening call to prayer sounds, Lalla talks to her mom again. Lalla tells her mom that she wants to wear a malafa so that she can pray like Mama does. Mama, with tears of joy and pride for her daughter in her eyes, consents and wraps Lalla up in a blue-as-the-Saharan-sky malafa. Finally, Lalla realizes that the malafa is for beauty, mystery, belonging, tradition, and -most importantly- for faith.
Deep in the Sahara has a setting that is not very familiar with American readers. As such, it provides an excellent window for readers to learn about Muslim traditions in Africa. This is an important concept for Americans to grasp as we are increasingly becoming a more global society and are thrust into situations with people who have different traditions, religions, and languages than us. In a time ripe with violence, hatred, and fear directed toward Muslims, this book can help stop that ugliness from being passed on to younger generations. Additionally, in the author's note at the end, Cunnane admits that when she traveled to Mauritania in 2008-2009, she arrived with the prejudice that the Muslim women there were oppressed into wearing malafas. However, Cunnane learned differently: they wear them to symbolize their dedication to their faith and the show that dedication with bright colors and beautiful malafas. That Cunnane was willing to admit her prejudices and that she was wrong is also an important lesson for children to learn in an age when "the customer is always right" and extreme stubbornness.
Synopsis:
Lalla wants to wear a malafa, a full-body scarf that grown women wear in her country of Mauritania. She talks to her sister, her cousin, her grandmother, and other women in her village, telling them that she wants to wear the malafa like they do to be mysterious, grown, a follower of the old traditions, and beautiful. They laugh and say that wearing a malafala is more than that. As the evening call to prayer sounds, Lalla talks to her mom again. Lalla tells her mom that she wants to wear a malafa so that she can pray like Mama does. Mama, with tears of joy and pride for her daughter in her eyes, consents and wraps Lalla up in a blue-as-the-Saharan-sky malafa. Finally, Lalla realizes that the malafa is for beauty, mystery, belonging, tradition, and -most importantly- for faith.
catherinevm's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a beautiful story that in many ways challenges the Western ideas of 'saving' women who wear the head cloth or malafa. I loved the way that prayer framed the story. The illustrations were bright and made me very happy.
tashrow's review against another edition
5.0
Lalla wants to wear a malafa just like the other women in her family do. Lalla tells her mother she wants to be beautiful just like her, but her mother says that a malafa is about more than beauty. Lalla tells her sister that she wants to be mysterious just like her, but her sister says that a malafa is about more than mystery. Seeing all of the women in their malafa, Lalla tells her cousin that she wants to be like all of them, but she replies that a malafa is more than that. Her grandmother too says that a malafa is about more than tradition. Finally, Lalla goes back to her mother and explains that she wants to be able to pray like her mother does. Her mother agrees, saying “A malafa is for faith." And the two face east and pray together in their malafa.
Set in Mauritania, this book celebrates the Muslim faith in a very beautiful way. Written in the second person, readers are invited to see themselves as Lalla and learn about her faith and her world. Cunnane writes beautiful descriptions of both the malafa themselves and also the community where Lalla lives. There are donkeys, camels, and other exotic things, but Cunnane goes deeper than that and paints a world with pink houses shaped like cakes and silver heels that click on tiles.
Hadadi’s art is jewel toned and filled with details. She has created a warm and loving community for Lalla to explore with the reader. The beauty of the malafa are shown, the colors of the rooms, and the tangible love of an extended family.
An accessible and beautiful look at a Muslim community that dazzles. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Set in Mauritania, this book celebrates the Muslim faith in a very beautiful way. Written in the second person, readers are invited to see themselves as Lalla and learn about her faith and her world. Cunnane writes beautiful descriptions of both the malafa themselves and also the community where Lalla lives. There are donkeys, camels, and other exotic things, but Cunnane goes deeper than that and paints a world with pink houses shaped like cakes and silver heels that click on tiles.
Hadadi’s art is jewel toned and filled with details. She has created a warm and loving community for Lalla to explore with the reader. The beauty of the malafa are shown, the colors of the rooms, and the tangible love of an extended family.
An accessible and beautiful look at a Muslim community that dazzles. Appropriate for ages 4-6.