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A review by leslie_d
Yasmin the Friend by Saadia Faruqi
4.0
Yasmin has an idea of what her and her friends will play when Emma and Ali come over. So does Ali. And Emma. Ali is learning to juggle. Emma was recently gifted a jump rope.
From the very beginning, Baba encourages Yasmin to consider and ask what her friends want to do, which is hard because Yasmin really wants to play dress-up. When she complains that they are not being very good friends because they are doing what they want to do, the question is unavoidable: just who is being the bad friend? Also whatever will Yasmin do? The friends came over, presumably to play together, but they are all doing their own thing.
Yasmin has her Eureka! moment and comes up with a game that combines all their interests. It turns into silly fun and by snack time, they are ready to enjoy their cookies, gajar, and glasses of mango lassi—together.
Faruqi writes a familiar scene from—er—childhood here. And in her usual spirit, the answer is a creative one: juggling while jumping rope in costume. Yasmin’s frustration at the unexpected turn playtime takes translates. In words and text, her excitement and expectation build and crumble. But no one can blame Emma or Ali for their own individual enthusiasm.
Baba offers excellent reminders and advice in being hospitable. “Friends are a blessing. We should make them happy.” I like that the situation is complicated by the part where it isn’t just Yasmin and Ali who have a singular interest, but enter Emma and the jump rope as well. But they are friends for a reason, and are all reminded there at the end that they did want to be together.
Three short chapters, large font and spacing, expressive pictures will help a beginner reader. Finding a conflict that will resonate and a solution that is inspired will further provide a positive reading experience. Yasmin is an authentic character with wise parents and friends she cares about. Those following the series will also smile when Yasmin tells her friends the costumes were made by Nani (her grandmother)—Yasmin The Fashionista from Meet Yasmin! is a wonderful story.
Faruqi and Aly have created and continue to successfully build a full and colorful life for Yasmin and her family and friends. It is easy to recommend these stories for any household of young readers. Good friends that they are: Faruqi and Aly further spoil us in that Yasmin is Pakastani, that Urdu is laced in, that the home, the clothing, the food are offered as an opportunity to see more on the pages, hear more in the narratives we imbibe, and share
+
Read the Fun Facts alongside the young reader, review the Urdu glossary. Drink a Mango Lassi, it’s delicious, and have some gajar, they are good for your eyes.
Noted: the Urdu words are not italicized, which I love and I believe is important. They are legitimate, and they are not foreign words, especially to Yasmin and those readers who will see themselves in her even more clearly than most.
From the very beginning, Baba encourages Yasmin to consider and ask what her friends want to do, which is hard because Yasmin really wants to play dress-up. When she complains that they are not being very good friends because they are doing what they want to do, the question is unavoidable: just who is being the bad friend? Also whatever will Yasmin do? The friends came over, presumably to play together, but they are all doing their own thing.
Yasmin has her Eureka! moment and comes up with a game that combines all their interests. It turns into silly fun and by snack time, they are ready to enjoy their cookies, gajar, and glasses of mango lassi—together.
Faruqi writes a familiar scene from—er—childhood here. And in her usual spirit, the answer is a creative one: juggling while jumping rope in costume. Yasmin’s frustration at the unexpected turn playtime takes translates. In words and text, her excitement and expectation build and crumble. But no one can blame Emma or Ali for their own individual enthusiasm.
Baba offers excellent reminders and advice in being hospitable. “Friends are a blessing. We should make them happy.” I like that the situation is complicated by the part where it isn’t just Yasmin and Ali who have a singular interest, but enter Emma and the jump rope as well. But they are friends for a reason, and are all reminded there at the end that they did want to be together.
Three short chapters, large font and spacing, expressive pictures will help a beginner reader. Finding a conflict that will resonate and a solution that is inspired will further provide a positive reading experience. Yasmin is an authentic character with wise parents and friends she cares about. Those following the series will also smile when Yasmin tells her friends the costumes were made by Nani (her grandmother)—Yasmin The Fashionista from Meet Yasmin! is a wonderful story.
Faruqi and Aly have created and continue to successfully build a full and colorful life for Yasmin and her family and friends. It is easy to recommend these stories for any household of young readers. Good friends that they are: Faruqi and Aly further spoil us in that Yasmin is Pakastani, that Urdu is laced in, that the home, the clothing, the food are offered as an opportunity to see more on the pages, hear more in the narratives we imbibe, and share
+
Read the Fun Facts alongside the young reader, review the Urdu glossary. Drink a Mango Lassi, it’s delicious, and have some gajar, they are good for your eyes.
Noted: the Urdu words are not italicized, which I love and I believe is important. They are legitimate, and they are not foreign words, especially to Yasmin and those readers who will see themselves in her even more clearly than most.