I love books that share what life is like in different cultures. Today I get to share one that allows us to learn about the Nomad life in Somalia. The book is Suuban's First Day: A First Day of Herding Story by Shugri Salh and illustrated by Àlàbá Ònájìn. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.
About the Book:
In the Somali desert, a girl eagerly awaits the day she can herd the goats by herself. But her grandmother won't allow her into the wilderness until her two front teeth fall out.Patiently, Suuban waits, and waits...until she can't wait anymore! After some creative thinking and a head bump from a goat to help loosen her front tooth, Suuban is ready to prove she can herd the animals across the desert safely. But with sneaky foxes prowling about, will Suuban learn the resilience she needs to protect her goats?
This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a joyful celebration of the Somali desert and a nomadic lifestyle, in a relatable tale of self-reliance, courage, and the beauty of nature.
From Me:
In this story we meet Suuban. She is a young girl who lives with her Nomad grandmother in the desert in Somalia. Every day she helps with the care of the animals but cannot wait until she is old enough to herd the animals by herself. She asks her grandmother who tells her she will be old enough when her two front teeth come out. When the first one falls out, she is so excited. Her grandmother reminds her that both front teeth must be out. Suuban is smart and uses her animal friends to get the second tooth out. She is off to her first day of herding the animals. She leaves with many reminders of what to do if a fox comes or she gets in trouble. The day seems boring at first, but when she falls asleep in a tree a fox tries to grab her favorite baby goat. She has to scare him off and save her friend. She can't wait to tell her grandmother. The day however gave her an understanding of why some of the jobs are for when she is older.
There are so many things I love about this book. It shares a lifestyle most kids don't realize still exists and one they cannot imagine living. I love that we learn about how and why they don't keep time the way we do like birthdays. It shares so much that I know I cannot imagine like sending such a young child out by herself with all the animals that are a huge part of their lives. The beautiful illustrations also give a view of what life is like in Somalia and in particular the Somali Desert. Suuban also shares how she connects with the nature around her. Nature is a big part of her lifestyle.
