Kanzi’s family has moved from Egypt to America. At her first day in a new school, Kanzi wants to fit in with the other students. She "forgets" to take the kofta sandwich her mother has made for her lunch. Mama comes to the school to give Kanzi her sandwich. She wears a hijab and she calls Kanzi by the name Habbibit. This means dear one and the teasing by the other students begins as soon as mama leaves the room.
That evening, Kanzi wraps herself in the beautiful Arabic quilt her testa (grandma) in Cairo gave her. Kanzi writes a poem and her teacher sees the poem. The teacher gets the entire class excited about creating a quilt (a paper collage) of student names in Arabic. Now, the students are feeling a connection to Kanzi and she feels better about fitting in with the other students. Just an idea and a small gesture by the teacher makes Kanzi very happy. 5* (I really liked this film)
Note: I was able to find reviews for the book and not the film. Amazon gives the book written by Aya Khalil 5* with 47 ratings, Barnes & Noble 4.8* out of 5* with 9 reviews, Goodreads 4.52 out off 5 with 152 ratings and 76 reviews, Target 5*, Topsta 5*.
Special Note: Aya Khalil is a freelance journalist and educator and she has taught at all levels from preschool to college. She currently lives with her husband and their three children in Toledo Ohio. Anait Semirdzhyan is an experienced illustrator and she has lived in diverse cultures throughout the world. She lives in Seattle Washington.
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