Today, we are delighted to celebrate the release of The Home We Make by Maham Khwaja and Daby Zainab Faidhi.
A moving story about a young girl and her family who are forced to flee their beloved home after violence erupts all around them, and their journey to make a new sense of home.
“⭐ "Written in verse, her powerful book captures both the terror of displacement and brief but meaningful moments of tenderness. Never shying away from the harsher details of migration, neither does she reduce the story to its trauma, creating a nuanced tale that will both inform those lucky enough to enjoy geographic stability and feel familiar to those who aren't. Popping with vivid colors, Faidhi's illustrations have a sweetness that tempers the story's bleaker moments. A moving and enlightening depiction of the refugee experience."” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“"Khwaja's heartfelt verses in some ways reflect her own experiences of moving from Pakistan to the U.S. as a six-year-old. . . . Faidhi's digital illustrations have a cinematic quality to them. . . . A poignant look at the longing for home."” — Booklist
Maham Khwaja is a Pakistani American writer and filmmaker. Maham has worked in feature film and network television production, as well as children's programming, including Sim Sim Hamara (Pakistan's Sesame Street). Currently, Maham is developing her first feature, Auntie Express, a story about a boisterous trio of Pakistani American aunties who run a successful food truck. The Home We Make marks her children's book debut. You can learn more about her at mahamkhwaja.com.
Daby Zainab Faidhi is a versatile artist and illustrator acclaimed for her impactful work in animation, illustration, art direction, and painting. Her portfolio features contributions to award-winning film projects, including The Breadwinner, and most recently, co-art directing Merry Little Batman for WarnerBros. Explore her dynamic creations at zainabfaidhi.com.
