Akbari, Nazneen. Home Away from Home. Rashin Kheiriyeh, Illus. Barefoot, 02/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 979-8-88859-896-2. Paper $9.99. 979-8-88859-945-7. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
When Nuha travels from the U.S. to Oman to see her grandma (Jadda) for the first time in three years, she is introduced to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, textures, and delights of the souk (market). The author’s experience growing up in Oman, and the illustrator’s experience in Iran, lend authenticity to this simple story that condenses the visit into one long day. The story focuses on Nuha and Jadda’s relationship to the exclusion of Nuha’s mother, who is only barely present, despite serving as the bridge between the two locations, languages, and cultures—an especially jarring omission given how young Nuha appears to be. Kheiriyeh’s full-bleed oil paint and oil crayon illustrations using a sketched style depict vividly bright, colorful, and enticing scenes, with crafts, architecture, clothing, food, musical instruments, signage, and vistas typical of Oman and other Arabian Peninsula countries. Parents of bicultural children, especially those born to immigrants from the Arab world like Akbari herself, might use this book to prepare their youngest children for a trip back to a grandparent’s home country, while other families might find it a friendly introduction to the region. A focus on dolls and shopping may limit interest.
Erica Siskind—Oakland Public Library