Tag Junissa Bianda

Can You Find My Eid Presents?

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Can You Find My Eid Presents?
A.M. Dassu and Junissa Bianda
Scholastic

Panic sets in when, on the day before Eid-ul-Fitr, while her Mum is busy with preparations for the festival, Hana is sent up to her parents’ bedroom to collect the Eid presents ready for the family visit to Nani’s the following day. Having searched high and low in places both likely and unlikely, she hasn’t found a single one. Could they be outside in the garden, she wonders going out to check; but no luck. Without gifts this will be the worst Eid ever, she thinks to herself that night.

In the evening when her dad comes back in the car she rushes to ask him what to do, but is told to go and ask her Nana for help instead. Off she goes next door and …

As the story unfolds and young listeners join Hana in her present hunt, they will sense her mounting panic at her failure to locate them; this is captured in Junissa Bianda’s expressive illustrations of the little girl.

With Eid coming up in April, this book, with its search-and-find element, is one to share with young children at home or in an educational setting prior to the celebrations. You might also consider buying it as an Eid gift for a youngster you know who will be celebrating the festival.

Nabil Steals a Penguin

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Nabil Steals a Penguin
Nishani Reed and Junissa Bianda
Nosy Crow

On the last day of a holiday in France with his parents, Nabil is at the zoo watching the penguins when one of them addresses the boy introducing itself as Pierre. The penguin goes on to complain about his dull diet – fish, fish and more fish, saying he’d love to sample something more exciting. Obligingly, Nabil offers to share his lunch with Pierre and before you can say ‘spicy’ the penguin has scoffed the lot.

As the family are departing, Pierre bids farewell to his fellow penguins and dives into Nabil’s backpack and eventually, after a somewhat worrying journey for Nabil, the family plus penguin reach home. Very soon Nabil’s sister suspects something strange is going on: how on earth is the boy going to conceal his increasingly lively guest from his parents?

The answer is, he can’t. Into the bathroom comes Mum;

what will her reaction be? Young readers and listeners may well be surprised at what happens thereafter. I’m sure they’ll approve however.

Deliciously daft, this tasty offering is author Nishani Reed’s debut picture book. Junissa Bianda’s wonderfully expressive illustrations capture Nabil’s consternation at the antics of the lively stowaway and the delight of the entire family in the final few spreads.

Vegetable biryani anybody?