The author's earth-toned illustrations, a mix of pen and paint, offer both realistic depictions of the animals and setting and a successful metaphoric expression of Ahmed's inner life. Yet the importance of deep breathing and looking for positive emotions within any turbulence comes through clearly, and the subdued tone of the text skillfully encourages readers to meditate. But because Ahmed's meditation is tranquil, this work lacks some of the vibrant movement of the previous volume. Similar to the protagonist of Manly's (Nothando's Journey, 2016) earlier picture book, Ahmed explores his inner life through observing the animals around him. In the distance, he sees a sandstorm, and he realizes that, like the chaos of the tempest, his emotions are causing turmoil in his body. In the quiet, he notices a golden spiny mouse and a Saker falcon. He leaves his tent to spend time with his camel, Jamal. Unlike his relatives, who are excited, Ahmed is afraid of his first race. A boy in Saudi Arabia sees a storm as a parallel to his own fears and becomes inspired by animals to find inner peace in this story from a yoga therapist.Members of Ahmed's family, who appear to be Bedouins, have traveled across the desert to race their camels in an important gathering.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |