When reading books to children in a nearby park,
Author Rochelle O’Neal Thorpe met a Nanny from Somalia who admired her
stories. After a brief conversation she
discovered this young woman graduated
from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School with her eldest son. Rochelle later learned about her struggles
adjusting to life in America after leaving her war-torn country. Being inspired by this young woman Rochelle
decided to write a story especially for children from this region
of the world.
This story shows how a young African American finds beauty in the headdress worn by a young girl from the Somali Republic. With the help of her father Keisha discovers the significance of the Hijab and is encouraged to make a new friend.
Aisha's Gift shows the innocence and joy children share in making a special friend.
Aisha's Gift shows the innocence and joy children share in making a special friend.
Available May 2012 - Wiggles Press Books
http://rochelleonealthorpe.com/books.html
About
the Artist
Artist
Anna Leliwa has created the beautiful illustrations for Aisha’s Gift and
Dolly’s Winter Surprise.
In 2000,
Anna graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw with Masters Degree in
Fine Arts from the Department of Fine Art Restoration. As a Conservator of Fine
Art, Anna gained her experiences while working with different painting
techniques such as oil painting, acrylic, pastel and watercolor. This knowledge
and skills help her to create illustrations which could be easily
"read" by children.
Making
the illustrations for children's book is like retelling the story. Anna love to
focus on all backstage details and characters. She is finding herself really
connected to the characters she illustrates.
Anna now
lives in Boston and is happily married to Charles and a mother to a Helenka.
