العربية
Why Not?
Illustrated by Hassan Manasrah
$14.00
For thirty years, Samia’s father never missed a single day of work—until one day, he fell ill and couldn’t go out to wake people up for Suhoor. Knowing how dedicated her father is to his duty, Samia decides to take his place for one night until he recovers. But will her father accept her stepping into the role of the Musaharati? And how will the villagers react?
A touching story that highlights values such as courage and solidarity while showcasing cherished Ramadan traditions. It transports readers to the enchanting village of Lifta in Palestine during the 1930s.
Listen to the Musaharati song
Parent and Teacher guide
Why Not is a story that questions the reader's expectations and challenges the reader to think … why not?
After the initial shock of hearing a girl Mosaher drumming and chanting, the villagers encourage their children to join Samia in her rounds. Each child brings with him/her a different musical instrument to help wake the village people up. The village people appreciate this and offer food to the singing children.
The story reflects the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, which brings people together. It is also a story about the ability of girls to do any job they put their minds to, especially if they are well prepared and given the support they need. The dialogue between Samia and her sick Dad is symbolic of that.
The father is worried about his daughter and raises issues of concern which Samia reassuringly has an answer to; to protect herself from wild animals, she will take their dog “Barq” with her. To light up the darkness of the night, she will take a lantern with her. To find her way, she will navigate by the night stars. To know what she has to do, she reminds her father that she is well trained in what she is going to do, as she has accompanied and assisted him countless times.
The story also shows the ingenuity of children and suggests that sometimes traditions can be altered without damaging a community’s values or the spirit of an occasion. In the story, the children who join Samia do not all have drums, the instrument traditionally used by the Mosaher to wake people up. Each child in turn asks if it is possible to bring another musical instrument some even bring a pot and spoon. Samia laughingly says, “why not?” and allows a new practice. Towards the end of the story, the children end up forming an impromptu musical group and roam the streets singing and chanting.
“Why Not?” is a touching story of courage, solidarity and celebrating traditions. It will transport the reader to the enchanting village of Lifta in Palestine during the 1930s.
*(In the olden days, before clocks and alarms were commonplace, the Mosaher was the man whose job was to wake people up for the early morning meal in Ramadan called “ Suhoor”. Traditionally he did that by using a drum and chanting to coax people to wake up and eat before the fast begins.)
Questions for Discussion:
-How did Samia feel when she decided to become the musaharati? Did she feel excited or scared? Why?
-If you were in Samia’s place, would you feel brave or hesitant? Why?
-Have you ever been afraid of the dark like Samia? How did you react?
-If you were a musaharati for one night, how would you wake people up? Would you use a drum or something else?
-Imagine living in the village of Lifta in the 1930s. What would Ramadan be like there?
-Why do you think the villagers respected and loved Samia’s father?
-How can teamwork be helpful, just like when the children joined Samia?
-Why is it important to preserve beautiful traditions like the musaharati?
-Do you think Samia’s father was right to worry about her? Why?
-What do you think of the children's actions when they decided to help Samia?
-What might have happened if Samia had not helped her father?
About the Author
Taghreed Najjar, was awarded the 2021 Jordanian State Award for children Literature. She has been a several time nominee for the Astrid Lindgren award and a several-time winner and short listee of the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature. Her YA novel Whose Doll is This? Won the YA book of the year (2019)
With a portfolio spanning 4 decades, Taghreed – a multifaceted author - writes picture books, middle grade and young adult books. Her picture books have become classics that are read and enjoyed by generations. While her YA novels have found great success in addressing difficult subjects reflecting political and cultural realities in the region.
Several of Najjar’s books have been recommended by “White Ravens” and several have been translated to languages including English, Italian, Swedish, Danish, French and Turkish.
About the Illustrator
Hassan completed his studies in applied arts, emphasis on interior design from the University of Balqa’ in Jordan. He also studied fine arts with emphasis on oil painting and took a course in sculpture at the Jordanian National Institute of Arts. He graduated in 2000, and held his first exhibition “Urban Mood” in 2006. He started illustrating for local magazines in 2003., Later on he moved to animation specifically animation for children. He contributed to the production of an animated series “Pink Panther and Pals” produced by “Rubicon & MGM”. He also illustrated some episodes for a famous children series “Driver Dan’s Story Train” produced by “A Productions Ltd. & BBC”. Hassan illustrated a number of children books published by local and regional publishing houses.
For thirty years, Samia’s father never missed a single day of work—until one day, he fell ill and couldn’t go out to wake people up for Suhoor. Knowing how dedicated her father is to his duty, Samia decides to take his place for one night until he recovers. But will her father accept her stepping into the role of the Musaharati? And how will the villagers react?
A touching story that highlights values such as courage and solidarity while showcasing cherished Ramadan traditions. It transports readers to the enchanting village of Lifta in Palestine during the 1930s.
Listen to the Musaharati song
Related
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21 × 27 cm |
4 reviews for Why Not?
Show only reviews in English (2)
ntb2008 –
قصة “ما المانع” للكاتبة تغريد النجار و رسوم: حسان مناصرة. قصة رمضانية تعرض صور مختلفة من المشاعرو الأحداث و المعاني ايضا. فالقصة تتناول شعور المسؤلية لدى ابي سلمى حين يمرض و هو مسحر القرية منذ ٣٠ عاما، شعور العطف لدى سلمى تجاه والدها، و شعور الخوف لدى سلمى من الذئب و الحيوانات التي يمكن ان تظهر في اليل ، اما احداث القصة فتناولت شخصيات مختلفة تأتي لتازر سلمى في مهمتها و يمتد طبل المسحراتي ليشمل دفا، شبابة و حتى قدرا و ملعقة! فالقصة بعيدة عن الملل و تشد الطفل بأحداثها المتتالية و اسلوبها البسيط النابع من لغة الاطفال و فضولهم و حماسهم لكل مغامرة. حتى وجود الذئب في اول القصة اثار اهتمام ابنتي لروءية شكله و اسنانه اللامعة ! اما معاني القصة فكثيرة مترابطة متداخلة مع تراثنا و هويتنا العربية و تقاليدنا في عالمنا العربي. القصة تشجع تحدينا للسؤال ‘ ما المانع’ و تحاور احتمالية أخذ البنت دور الولد حوارا واقعي تحليلي، لتاخذ سلمى دور ابيها مع مرافقة كلبها لحمايتها، فالشجاعة، و الولاء للعمل و معنى التكاتف المجتمعي و التعاون يتجلى بأحلى صورة للقرية، الحي آو المنطقة، و يتجلى جمال القصة و معناها في ترديد كلمات ‘ اصحى صحى يا نايم…وحد الدايم’ و تبادل التهاني بشهر رمضان المبارك فيزداد حب الاطفال و تعلقهم بعادات الأهل و حتى عادات الوطن العربي و تقبلهم لها حتى و ان لم يمارسوها. استمتعنا انا و ابنتي بمشاهدة فيديو واقعي لمسحر منطقتنا بفضل تسجيل جارتنا له و هو يجوب الشارع مرددا كلمات القصة و شعرت ابنتي بالفخر راوية لمعلمتها حقيقة المسحراتي و رؤيته بالتسجيل. #alsalwabooks
تجدون هذه المراجعة و مراجعات لقصص مشابهة في موقع انستغرام “read_forfree”
ey390x –
I love this book. Meaningful message, great artwork, and a fantastic cultural piece. Sooooo glad تغريد النجار is writing. And I love the illustrators she’s been working with lately. Absolutely رائع
بسمة عبدالخالق –
قصة رائعه ..لها اكثر من هدف . انصح فيها بشده
كلو علشان المسابقه –
قصة رائعه جدا 😒😒😒