Insha’Allah, No, Maybe So

Gr 2-4–A young girl named Ranya makes a variety of requests to her busy mother: she wants to go to the park, she wants to bake cookies, she wants to have a sleepover. Mom often responds, “Insha’Allah,” which Ranya interprets as a firm “no.” Mom patiently explains to Ranya that it really means “God willing.” It isn’t a no, it isn’t a yes, and it isn’t a maybe. It is nuanced, and something else entirely. Lush colors and a variety of body types are depicted. The mother is shown as wide hipped and stylish, a pleasant contrast to the thin body types prevalent in contemporary picture books. Back matter provides additional insight into this versatile Arabic phrase. Vibrant digital art is set against eye-pleasing watercolor backgrounds. Aserr, a background painter at Disney, is adept at showing many facial expressions, and her characters appear to move across the page.