Book Review of Zaya’s Dream
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Refugee Experiences, Resilience, Community, Education, Pursuing Dreams, and Adapting to New Environments.
Zaya’s Dream is a poignant children’s story that sheds light on the experiences of millions of forcibly displaced individuals around the world. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, Zaya, readers are taken on a journey that explores themes of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of education.
The narrative in Zaya’s Dream is both heartfelt and compelling. It sensitively portrays the challenges faced by Zaya and her family when they are forced to flee their home due to a devastating drought and an attack on their village. The story expertly balances the harsh realities of life as a refugee with its young heroine’s unwavering optimism and determination.
The story’s illustrations perfectly complement the text, bringing Zaya’s world to life. The color palette is both bright and earthy simultaneously, reflecting the story’s themes of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The illustrations skillfully convey emotions through the characters’ emotive facial expressions, allowing readers to connect with Zaya and her family on a deep, personal level. The artwork not only enhances the story’s emotional impact but also provides a window into the diverse cultures and experiences of displaced children.
One of the most striking aspects of Zaya’s Dream is its emphasis on the importance of education for crisis-affected children. As Zaya attends school in the refugee camp, she discovers a sense of purpose and belonging and the tools to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. This powerful message underscores the critical role that education plays in providing hope and opportunity to those who have been forced to leave everything behind.
Zaya’s Dream is not only a beautifully told story but also a call to action. It reminds readers of the millions of children whose lives have been upended by emergencies and protracted crises and the urgent need to protect their right to education. By supporting the global fund Education Cannot Wait and nonprofit publisher NABU, who work tirelessly to provide quality education to children left furthest behind in the world – and who joined efforts in developing this story – we can help turn dreams like Zaya’s into reality.
A must-read for all, regardless of age, Zaya’s Dream offers a powerful and empathetic portrayal of the refugee experience, while also celebrating the resilience and potential of displaced children. Through its compelling narrative and masterful use of color and expression, this book has the potential to inspire a wide range of readers to stand in solidarity with those who have been forced to flee their homes and to work towards a future where every child has access to quality education.
Zaya’s Dream is available on NABU’s free reading app and web reader.
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About NABU
NABU is a non-profit working to eradicate illiteracy globally.
Zaya’s Dream was created in NABU’s HP Creative Labs by a global team of NABU Creative Fellows. The NABU HP Creative Labs are spaces designed to teach, equip, and empower young authors and illustrators. Through NABU’s Creative Fellowship Programs, creatives receive technological support and professional training to publish authentic, bilingual books that inspire their local communities.
This book is one of hundreds of bilingual stories available on NABU’s reading app and web reader.
About Education Cannot Wait
Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations.
ECW supports quality education outcomes for crisis-affected children and adolescents, including refugee and internally displaced girls and boys, so no one is left behind. ECW works through the multilateral system, increasing the speed of responses in crises and connecting immediate relief and longer-term interventions through multi-year programming – bridging the triple nexus between humanitarian response, development, and peacebuilding interventions.
Zaya’s Dream
ECW and NABU joined efforts in developing Zaya’s Dream. While refugee experiences and individual stories are unique and diverse, ECW and NABU hope that Zaya’s Dream will inspire young readers and their families to learn more about this global education crisis and what actions they can take to help make the dreams of crisis-affected children come true.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Zaya’s Dream. Learn more about getting a book review …
