Arabic – Good Night To Read- A School Librarian's Book Blog

Environmental Picture Book Alert- Celebrating Translated Works- Told in Arabic and English, this empathetic tale highlights how small changes can help an urban environment regenerate. Thanks to @The_WriteReads/@WriteReadsTours @TinyTreeBooks for including Good Night To Read on this important tour. Shout out to Noly for the lovely banner.

ACROSTICS

Air gazer

Resourceful

Inspirational

Activist

Young

Useful

Supporter

Urban

Fixer

Suffocating

Wild

In need of succour

Flightless

Tired

BOOK BITE

This charming and heart warming picture book shines a spotlight on the dangers of air pollution and highlights ways in which we can work together to protect our environment.

BOOK HAIKU

Two children bond when

an injured bird spirals to

the ground and is found.

Aria’s idea

could help make things right but she

needs Yusuf to bring it to life.

BLURB

Aria has her head in the clouds. Yusuf keeps his feet on the ground. But when they work together to save a bird who has lost her way, something magical happens.

Inspired by Fiona and Howard’s love for wildlife of all kinds. Follow-up to Setsuko and the Song of the Sea.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

“A beautiful and simple story illustrating how delicate nature is at the hands of humanity’s current terrible attitude to preserving the planet. May every child read this book. Only then do we have the chance to change things.”
David Lindo-The Urban Birder- http://www.theurbanbirderworld.com

“Helping a lost swift brings two friends together in this delightful tale about our power to change things for the better.”
Yuval zommer, author & illustrator

BOOK BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT

“The Arabic text is unique and I remember back in the 1990’s desperately looking for dual text books like this for the bilingual children and refugees in my class and there were not enough of them. Hopefully, this book will be the start of a new trend.”
https://anitaloughrey.blog/2024/03/16/blog-tour-a-swift-return-by-fiona-barker/

“In a world where pollution threatens the beauty and balance of nature, ‘A Swift Return’ stands as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility. This story, through its serene illustrations and succinct language, underscores the urgent message that we must all contribute to reducing our carbon footprints.”
https://www.thepagewalker.com/2024/03/blog-tour-swift-return-by-fiona-barker.html?m=1

“Like many children’s books, I felt it had the kind of magic that enabled adults to connect with it just as easily as children. Reading the story, I felt a kind of renewed appreciation for nature and wildlife, and its beauty. I thought about how it might feel to be a bird, soaring through the sky, and to be free in that way.”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6365049574

GOOD NIGHT TO READ MINI REVIEW

This beautifully observed, empathetic and gentle picture book has an important message told in simple but effective text. It reminds me of Good Night To Read’s motto, ‘Because Books Make the World Better.’

A Swift’s plight is captured in a DPS of cascading rhyme as two children resolve to bring it back to health. The panoramic illustrations engage the eye while the facial expressions of Aria and Yusuf reflect an array of emotions. Closeups, vignettes and clever use of space convey different perspectives across the rooftops and minarets of a middle eastern city highlighting the dangers of air pollution and importance of regeneration.

It’s a tale of friendship and illustrates how a simple act of kindness can make a difference. Young readers will see how they can change their environment for the better by conserving nature and protecting birdlife.

While the dual language aspect of the book is positive, one quibble is that the Arabic text is miniaturised and mostly in white which blends into the pale backdrops chosen for many of the pages. This makes it more difficult to see. A bolder and darker typeface would be more effective.

RATING- 3.5 CHOCOLATE LIBRARIES

FIVE FACTS ABOUT FIONA BARKER

Fiona works as an audiologist
Fiona enjoys writing picture books that celebrate nature, the animal world and friendship
She appreciates alliteration but is not a slave to rhyme.
When reading, Fiona “looks for a marriage of words and artwork and loves anything that is fun to read aloud.”
She has also collaborated with Howard Gray on Setsuko and the Song of the Sea which stresses the importance of marine conservation, and Danny & the Dream Dog which is “a heart warming story about finding friendship in unexpected places.”

FIVE FACTS ABOUT HOWARD GRAY

Growing up Howard was always fascinated by animals and nature.
Howard is an academic and an artist. He has a BSc in Zoology and a PHD in Arabian Bottlenose Dolphin Genetics.
He has studied the diverse patterns of marine life in Oman, Arabia.
His work incorporates different mediums, including digital, watercolour and a variety of textures.
Howard lives in the picturesque city of Durham and likes walking on the beach at Tynemouth.