Review by Booklist Review
Miriam always enjoys spending a week with her grandparents, thinking of it as a "magical adventure." This year, however, she starts wondering about some of the things her grandfather, Babajoon, does. He carries heavy gold coins, sings a parrot's song, and speaks a mysterious language to a man who gives him treasure. Is her grandfather a pirate?! As Miriam learns more, though, she appreciates his bravery and strength in traveling across the ocean, finding new respect for her own heritage. Babajoon describes his childhood in Iran, where he got the gold coins and learned to love the song "Layla." He says he visits his old friend's shop to speak Farsi and eat rock candy as they did when they were children. This gentle immigration story underscores the importance of blending the old ways with the new. Babajoon's treasure could be his history, his granddaughter, or his happy life. Digital illustrations employ swirling, vivid colors to convey the magical qualities of the story and Miriam's growing appreciation of someone she thought she knew.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This fanciful tale introduces a child's view of her Iranian grandfather, and her own identity, through the lens of imagination. Miriam looks forward to her summer visit with Babajoon and Mamanjoon as "a magical adventure," anticipating their beloved rituals: dining at the sofreh in their tea shop's garden, and Babajoon and Miriam heading out "for a super special tasty treat." When a gold coin unlike any she's seen falls out of Babajoon's pocket, it ignites Miriam's sense of invention, and when he sings with a parrot, she draws a conclusion: "I can't believe my parents never told me... My Babajoon is a... PIRATE!" His subsequent actions come under close scrutiny until a visit to a new shop, where her grandfather speaks Farsi with a friend and slowly reveals the true magic of their shared heritage. Esnaashari's text and dialogue telling briskly propel the light story, and Ali's action-oriented digital illustrations use jewel-toned hues to create Miriam's imagined storyscapes. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Miriam suspects that Babajoon has a secret life. Every summer, Miriam spends a week of "magical adventure" at Babajoon and Mamanjoon's home. This year, after a picnic prepared by Mamanjoon, Babajoon takes Miriam out for a special treat. As Miriam's grandfather is paying, Miriam notices a mysterious gold coin fall from his pocket. Then, as they eat their rocket pops, Babajoon begins singing a beautiful song to the birds. Miriam suddenly realizes…he must be a pirate! Miriam's suspicion is seemingly confirmed when Babajoon takes Miriam to his friend's store and speaks to him in a language that Miriam does not recognize. Concluding that they are speaking in a "pirate language," Miriam becomes even more convinced that Babajoon has a hidden past. But when Miriam confronts Babajoon, the truth he tells the child about their Iranian ancestry feels just as special as the one that Miriam imagined. Miriam's strong bond with Babajoon and earnest questions make for a lovable, relatable protagonist, while Ali's art shimmers as the child's vivid imagination comes to life. However, while the resolution of the protagonist's confusion is charming, the idea that Miriam would not know Babajoon's country of origin or at least recognize the sound of his mother tongue feels unlikely, especially given their closeness. Still, the story's humor and heart manage to shine through this inconsistency. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A heartfelt celebration of the magic of ancestry. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
