Nasreddine, a jewel of a multicultural book.

I am so excited to share this book with you. Nasreddine, by Odile Weulersse, is truly one of the most beautiful picture books I've ever seen.

The watercolors by, Rebecca Dautremer...I don't even have words to describe. 
She gives us a lesson on the power of suggestion. Can you tell what this book is about by it's cover? Can you see what the boy is pulling? It's not there, but it is, in the shadow...

There is an aspect of mysticism about the art. Something of a mystery to be solved. We are observers to a journey which is going on inside a boy's head and heart, as he is about to learn a big life lesson.

The palette of blue-grays, tan-golds, and bright reds, place us right in the quaint alleyways of Morocco. The illustrations have both a graphic simplicity and an incredible and sensitive attention to architectural, geographical, and cultural detail. The air and space in the illustrations give readers breathing room. The point of view makes us feel like we are observing the story from around a corner, behind a door, or through weeds. Like we're spying on the characters, as strangers do, making judgement about how a father and son choose to travel with their donkey.

It is not every day that we can be transported to the middle east (or north Africa), and have the privilege to hear such a beautifully told ancient tale that is so relevant and relate-able in the western world. 

In this story, judgement is parted on a boy and his father, for never riding the donkey in an acceptable way, If the child let's his dad ride and walks behind, strangers complain about what kind of father allows his son to suffer the walk. If the son rides the donkey instead, the judgement befalls the father for not being a proper master to his family. My daughter Lucy, who is "coming of age" at 7, finds herself struggling with it's very theme on a daily basis. She can do no right at school. Kids get teased for what they like, and what they don't like. For what they do, and don't do. They can do no right, it seems, and are constantly being judged.

I am conflicted on whether to tell you about the end or not. I did not know exactly where the story was going, and was so pleased with it's conclusion. So spoiler alert, behold the life lesson:

Welcome to my bookshelf, Nasredine, beautiful brown skinned middle-eastern boy, bringing with him a story from half way around the world, that feels so much like home.