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Attention, Washington, D.C. area friends!

My friend and fellow Virginia author Maha Addasi will be speaking at the Library of Congress.

Her topic:

"Belly Dancers, Harems and Chadors -- Getting the Multicultural Details Right in Children's Books"           

When: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Where: African and Middle Eastern Reading Room
              Library of Congress
              LJ220, Thomas Jefferson Building
              10 1st Street, S.E.
              Washington, D.C. 20540

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

 

BOOKSIGNING TO FOLLOW!

For more info, contact Dr. Muhannad Salhi (202) 707-3778, or [email protected].

*Please allow time to clear security. Request ADA Accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 (voice/TTY) or email [email protected].

               

Thanks to everyone who entered the Time to Pray Giveaway!

As the gong sounded at precisely one minute after midnight this morning, an amiable moustached gentleman dressed in striped pajamas reached into his stocking cap and drew the winning name.

The lucky person who will receive a signed copy of Time to Pray by Maha Addasi is:

*drum roll, please*


      

WooHoo! Congratulations, Kathy!!

Please send me your mailing address: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com.

Meanwhile, the gentleman in the striped pajamas and all the alphabet soup kitchen helpers would like everyone to have a chocolate teddy:


petra jane/flickr

Thanks again, everybody!

Have a good day and happy writing!

 

Maha with Time to Pray and her first book, The White Nights of Ramadan.

Recently I attended a booksigning at my local Barnes & Noble for Maha Addasi's new picture book, Time to Pray (Boyds Mills Press, 2010).

You may remember that I featured it in a special Soup of the Day post this past summer. This is a lovely story about Yasmin, who learns how to pray while visiting her grandmother in the Middle East. It's beautifully illustrated with Ned Gannon's oil paintings, which showcase the intricate geometric patterns and earth tones of Arab architecture.




No booksigning is complete without a little chocolate!

I picked up an extra copy and had Maha sign it for one lucky alphabet soup reader! Time to Pray would make a wonderful holiday gift or a welcome donation to any school library. High quality picture books about Arab/Islamic culture are rare and in high demand by educators. Time to Pray is a wonderful introduction to Salah, the five times a day worship practiced by Muslims, and will help satisfy the curiosity of American children. The bond between Yasmin and her grandmother makes for a warm, satisfying story that's not in the least bit didactic, and it resonates on a universal level.



For a chance to win a signed copy of Time to Pray, simply leave a comment here no later than midnight (EST), Sunday, December 12th. You can also enter by emailing me: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com, with "Time to Pray Giveaway" in the subject line. Extra entries for tweeting, blogging, or Facebooking (just let me know in the comments). Open to U.S. residents only.     
"Familiarizing Islamic prayer through realistic fiction makes this a fine choice for most collections." ~ School Library Journal.

"A girl's visit to her grandmother in an unnamed Middle Eastern town introduces her to her spiritual heritage in this visually arresting tale, which subtly addresses the challenges and importance of passing on faith traditions from one generation to the next." Publishers Weekly

♥ Click here to read my Soup of the Day review, which includes spreads from the book.

♥ This post is brought to you by Fajr, the first, pre-dawn prayer of the day.

Copyright © 2010 Jama Rattigan of jama rattigan's alphabet soup. All rights reserved.

      

Today, I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to congratulate dear friend Maha Addasi on the release of her second picture book, Time to Pray (Boyds Mills Press, 2010)!

Although its official pub date is not until September 1st, I wanted to let you know about this beautiful book now, since we are in the midst of the Holy Month of Ramadan, which is being observed this year between August 11th and September 9th.


Prayer Room, King Hussein Ben Talal Mosque, Amman, Jordan (frankenschulz/flickr).

You may remember my review of Maha's first book, The White Nights of Ramadan (Boyds Mills Press, 2008). Time to Pray is the perfect companion book to White Nights. It has been illustrated with more of Ned Gannon's stunning oil paintings, and this time, there is a wonderful addition: an Arabic translation of the story by Maha's mother, Nuha Albitar!

In Time to Pray, young Yasmin visits her grandmother in an un-specified Middle Eastern city, where, for the very first time, she hears the voice of the muezzin calling everyone to prayer. As their precious days together unfold, Yasmin learns more and more about the proper way to pray, five times throughout the day. She sees her grandmother perform the washing ritual (wudu) and carefully observes as Teta bends and kneels on her prayer rug. They spend the morning shopping, and Yasmin gets to select fabric for prayer clothes and choose a prayer rug of her own. Best of all, Teta helps Yasmin practice praying, both at home and at the mosque.

    
      (Click to enlarge.)

It's a sad day when Yasmin must fly back home to America, but upon her arrival, she discovers a special gift from Teta -- a prayer clock with a timer that doesn't ring, but makes the sound of the muezzin's voice! Now, every time Yasmin is reminded of the five prayer times, she also remembers her special time with Teta, living far away, but ever present in her heart.


(Click to enlarge.)

I love how Time to Pray de-mystifies this aspect of Muslim culture. The "educational" elements are skillfully integrated into what is ultimately a heartwarming intergenerational story with strong universal resonance. We see what an Arab American girl might find fascinating in the country of her ancestors as her spirituality gently blossoms. 

The bond between Yasmin and Teta is touching, and young readers will be happy to discover that Yasmin isn't perfect, that prayer can be both solemn and joyful, and that she is still practicing to get it right with the best of intentions. I al

Maha Addasi and me (we both have very nice butts).

This past Sunday, I threw caution to the wind, grabbed my umbrella, and drove over to the Reston Regional Library to check out the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI New Member Welcome & Regional Get-together.

There were two very good reasons for going: writer pal, Maha Addasi (The White Nights of Ramadan), was going to be on the panel, and I was told there'd be cake.

Okay, there were some additional reasons -- to see some other friends, and to meet Tami Lewis Brown (Elinor!, One Shiny Silver Key), whose posts I've been following on Through the Tollbooth. Did I mention the cake?


I finally got to meet Tami Lewis Brown!


Writer friends Ellen and Nicole.

The program was entitled, "Don't Quit Your Day Job: Writing and Illustrating for Children in Tough Economic Times." Besides Maha and Tami, the panel included Alison Hart (Bell's Star, Gabriel's Journey), Cyndy Cotten (Rain Play), and Joan Waites (What's New at the Zoo). Ellen Braaf (Regional Advisor) and Linda Wirkner (ARA) moderated.

The meeting room was packed with at least 100 people, though, since I'm very bad at estimating crowd size, it could very well have been 5,000:



After a warm welcome by Ellen Braaf, the sharing of good news (yay for Sara Lewis Holmes' new book, Operation Yes, coming in September!), and other general announcements, the panel addressed questions presubmitted by attendees. These included everything from how to submit sample illos with PB texts, what to include in queries, how to begin writing when one has so many ideas, and whether it's appropriate to include suggestions for illustration if you're not an artist (big no-no).

Alison Hart noted that a trend she's been seeing recently is a reduction in hardcover publishing in favor of paperback originals. Her advice for getting through the tough times? Find your passion, keep writing, hone your craft. Her measure of "success" is finding an idea she's really excited about and writing that first chapter. Cyndy Cotten reminded us to "give yourself permission to write junk," and that there's no substitute for Jane Yolen's timeless advice of BIC (butt in chair).

New members appreciated the general advice crucial for all beginners: keep writing, research the markets, attend conferences, join critique groups, and of course, READ widely. Maha added that aside from researching the usual sources like Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, one can find a wealth of information about writing, submitting, and promotion via online blogs.

Joan Waites, who is our regional Illustrator Coordinator, talked about illustration opportunities aside from picture books, such as magazine, cover, line and newsletter art. The advice was basic and pretty much common-sensical. It was good to be reminded that all writers and artists have periods of feast and famine, that publishing is a bizarre and totally unpredictable business -- so it sometimes pays to think outside the box for other opportunities.

      
         The lovely Cyndy Cotten.

Then it was time for cake: carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. Uh-huh. Yeah. Mmmmmm.


It has been scientifically proven that cake enhances creativity.

After stuffing ourselves and making small talk, we settled down to a great Q&A with author/recently turned Editor-at-Large at Abrams/Amulet, Erica S. Perl. She showed off her hilarious new picture book, Chicken Butt, and modeled her hand-knitted chicken hat (which she had specially made). Loved hearing her tell about how her first version of the story raised eyebrows with the chain bookstore people, who didn't want to see a book with the word "butt" in the title displayed in their pre-school section. *cough*

        
            Erica butting in.

So, Erica wrote another version, targeted for a slighter older demographic, which has been brilliantly illustrated by Henry Cole (review forthcoming).

As for what she wants to acquire for her own list: books for 6 and under that are in keeping with the overall feel of the Abrams publishing program (which has traditionally featured artsy, innovatively designed titles). Think short, funny, fresh, surprising, kid-friendly. Yes, she's accepting non-agented submissions (with an approximate turn around time of 3 months).

The gathering ended with a booksigning -- I scored copies of
Chicken Butt, as well as Cyndy Cotten's Rain Play and Abbie in Stitches. 


Alison Hart with Maha at signing table.


Another local writer friend, Lois, with Maha.

A pretty nice way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon, with friends old and new. Thanks to all who helped organize this get-together, and be sure to look for Erica and some chicken butts on her blog tour this month. Bawk Bawk!

In case you missed my review of Maha's excellent PB, The White Nights of Ramadan, click here. My interview with Maha is here.
 

  
  Hip Hip Hooray!!

Today I am thrilled to congratulate Maha Addasi (mahaaddasi) on the publication of her first book, The White Nights of Ramadan! This beautiful picture book is out this month from Boyds Mills Press, and I have a very special reason for celebrating.

        
         THE WHITE NIGHTS OF RAMADAN by Maha Addasi
           pictures by Ned Gannon (Boyds Mills Press, 2008), 
           ages 4-8, 32 pp.

Maha is a member of my critique group, and I was privileged to read early drafts of the manuscript several years ago. Now I feel like a proud godparent, since I was able to share the excitement of Maha's first sale, and see the manuscript evolve into its final form as she worked hard on revisions.

The "white nights" referred to in the title are three days in the middle of the holy month -- before, during, and after the full moon -- which coincides with a special celebration called Girgian. In countries of the Arabian Sea-Persian Gulf region, such as Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, this is a festive time, when children go from house to house collecting treats, much like trick-or-treating in the U.S., but lasting for 3 consecutive nights! They carry lanterns, wear traditional clothes, and greet their neighbors with "Girgian, O Girgian," which translates as "Candy, O Candy!" 

In Maha's story, based on her own childhood experiences growing up in Kuwait, Noor and her younger brothers excitedly prepare for Girgian by decorating their treat bags, making pistachio nut brittle, and trying on their special clothes.

These activities occur alongside the traditional practices of fasting, prayer, reading of the Koran, and special alms-giving. Unlike some of the other formal, stilted treatments of this subject, The White Nights of Ramadan will show young readers that the true meaning of this observance can also be about having fun, while spending time with family, visiting neighbors, and sharing with those less fortunate.


                 Noor and her brothers discuss their plans for Girgian

The masterful oil-on-canvas paintings by Ned Gannon are a study in luminosity, with deep, rich colors that perfectly emulate the ancient, exotic setting. The opening spread shows Noor staring at the rising moon, full of anticipation. I love how Mr. Gannon extends this white light by incorporating it throughout the book. It radiates from the children's garments, the powdered sugar in the candy, the ceramic plates used for iftar (the meal taken after sunset to break the day's fast), the lanterns bobbing along with happy children in the streets -- until it becomes the full moon in the final spread, lighting the way for Noor and her grandfather as they take a charity basket to the mosque. 

Every time I turn the pages of this lovely book, I feel the spirit of happy children, and think how much of Muslim culture is probably misunderstood by many Americans. I highly recommend The White Nights of Ramadan for all children ages 4 and up, and see it as a must-have for school libraries and home schoolers.

For now, grab your spoons and slurp your congratulations to Maha, who will be visiting alphabet soup in September. Be sure to check back; you won't want to miss meeting this Renaissance woman!

   
                Today's Special: Holy Pistachio, dates optional

Check out Maha's website and blog! 

*Interior spread from The White Nights of Ramadan posted by permission, Copyright © 2008, Ned Gannon. All rights reserved.