Age range 3 to 9

Two girls forge a forever-friendship by learning each other’s language. The Day Saida Arrived demonstrates the power of language to build bonds beyond borders.

What happens when a new friend arrives who doesn’t speak your language? A young girl searches for the words to help her friend feel welcome and happy in her new home, and along the way learns about differences and similarities in countries and words. The two forge a strong bond while they each learn the other’s language, exploring the world around them.

A joyous, lyrical text - including English translations and pronunciations and the complete Arabic alphabet - offers an accessible, fresh approach to talking about immigration. Paired with lushly vivid illustrations, The Day Saida Arrived demonstrates the power of language to build bonds beyond borders. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks.

‘The lyricism of the words and the surrealism of the pictures in The Day Saida Arrived transport you to a better world, one without borders. You’ll want to read, then re-read this book to discover all the delightful details packed into the intricate illustrations and unwrap the nuance of words written in not one but two languages, from two seemingly different worlds bridged by the universal language of love and friendship.’ - Krystia Basil, author of A Sky Without Lines, a National Council of Social Studies Notable Book