Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Harvest season deepens feelings of connection in a work that highlights olive trees' enduring role in Palestinian culture. When Ali's family visit to Palestine coincides with the event, the boy follows his grandfather, Seedo, into the family's olive grove and heads straight for Hilwa--"the tree Seedo planted with his grandfather." Climbing Hilwa, Ali observes his grandmother, Sitty, whacking the branches of another tree and singing as olives fall. Semirdzhyan's digital illustrations portray a lush landscape bustling with activity as relations, portrayed in fluid lines, harvest olives into patched woven baskets, and Ali learns about all that the yield provides. A variety of framing choices keep the visual pacing lively, leading to an intergenerational family picnic that, amid the bounty, proves "the greatest gift." A glossary and an author's note conclude. Ages 3--7. (Apr.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
On a trip to visit his Palestinian grandparents, a young boy discovers all that olive trees have to offer. Ali's visits have never before coincided with the olive harvest. As he and Seedo (Grandfather) stroll through the grove, Ali dashes over to Hilwa, his favorite olive tree. Just then, Ali notices his grandmother using a stick to knock olives from a tree while his cousins happily gather the fruit into a woven basket. Concerned, Ali asks, "Doesn't it hurt?" Seedo reassures Ali that they'd never hurt the olive trees: "Their gifts are far too precious." Still, Ali wants to pick Hilwa's olives carefully one by one but eventually relents, gently whacking at its limbs to release the olives. Ali soon learns more about all that the trees provide: olive oil, pulp for fires, soap, and more. Soon Ali's trip comes to a close, and Hilwa's final gift is revealed--Seedo gives one of the tree's branches to Ali so the boy can take a part of his heritage home. Suleiman's happy childhood memories come alive in this heartwarming story of tradition passed down through generations. Semirdzhyan's earth-toned, digitally created illustrations capture the family affair that is the olive season, from Ali's relatives clapping and singing merrily as they harvest fruit to everyone sitting down for a picnic among the ancient groves. An Arabic glossary and author's note provide further context. An authentic and heartfelt celebration of family and nature.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
