A father and his daughters may not be able to return home . . . but they can celebrate stories of their homeland!

As bedtime approaches, three young girls eagerly await the return of their fatherwho tells them stories ofa faraway homelandPalestine.Throughtheir father’s memories,the Old City of Jerusalemcomes to life: the sounds of juicevendors beatingrhythms with brasscups, the smell of argileh drifting through windows,and the sight of dovesflapping their wings toward home. These daughters of the diasporafeel love fora placethey have never been, a home they cannot visit.But, as their fathers story comes to an end, they know that throughhis memories, they will always return.

A Palestinian family celebrates the stories of their homeland in this moving autobiographical picture book debut by Hannah Moushabeck. With heartfelt illustrations by Reem Madooh, this story is a love letter to home, to family, and to the persisting hope of people thattranscends borders.

UNIVERSAL MESSAGE: There are so many people who long to return to their homelands but are unable to. This story will resonate with immigrant families and refugees of all ethnicities and origins, as well as anyone who yearns for home.

INTERGENERATIONAL STORIES: This sweet father-daughter story celebrates the bedtime ritual of storytelling, promoting intergenerational sharing and modeling learning about family trees and family histories. A perfect read-aloud for Father’s Day!

PRAISE:
“Hannah Moushabeck has written a marvelous, utterly transporting story describing the gentle power of precious transmitted memory and the wistfulness of immigrants, particularly those in exile froman occupied or altered place.Homelanddoes what decades of sad news stories have repeatedly failed to do for Palestinehumanize a beautiful people and place. I wish my father were alive so I could give him this book.”Naomi Shihab Nye, award-winning author ofHabibiandSitti’s Secrets

“Like many picture books about immigration, Homeland creates a tapestry of both love and lossreinvented in a story by a granddaughter. This one, in particular, rings with truth while the drum’s heartbeat holdsa family and its history together.”Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, Eeny Up Above, and others

Homeland brings a rich, beautiful, intimate picture of Palestine to life that is rarely seen in American media. The details are absolutely delectable, and the storytelling is playful, yet deeply moving perfection.Phoebe Wahl, author, and illustrator of Little Witch Hazel

Perfect for:

• Anyone looking for Palestinian or Arabbooks for kids
• Readers seeking immigrant or refugee storiesor diverse picture books
• Father’s Day gift giving to dads, grandparents, uncles, and friends with a heartfelt connection to their homelands
• Readers with a passion for memoirs and stories that illustrate the immigrant experience