Going to Mecca: 1 - Softcover

Robert, Na'ima B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184780490X ISBN 13: 9781847804907

Publisher: Lincoln Children's Books, 2014

Synopsis

"Come with the pilgrims

as they set out on a journey,

a journey of patience

to the city of Mecca."



We are led on the journey of a lifetime to the city of Mecca - the pilgrimage known to Muslims as the Hajj. The pilgrims walk with heads bare and feet in sandals; they call to Allah; they kiss or point to the Black Stone, as the Prophet did. Arriving at Mecca, they surge round the Ka'aba, shave their heads and travel to Mount Arafat. Finally, though their bodies are tired and aching, their spirits are uplifted, knowing that with thousands of others they have performed the sacred pilgrimage.



This is a window on to a sacred journey for Muslims the world over - beautifully described and illustrated for younger children.

About this title

About the Authors

NA'IMA B ROBERT is descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father's side and the Zulu people on her mother's side. She was born in Leeds, grew up in Zimbabwe and went to university in London. At high school, her loves included performing arts, public speaking and writing stories that shocked her teachers! She has written several multicultural books for children and is the author of 'From Somalia, with love', a novel for young adults. 'Boy vs Girl' is her second books for teens. She divides her time between London and Cairo and dreams of living on a farm with her own horses. Until then, she is happy to be a mum to her four children and keep reading and writing books that take her to a different world each time.

VALENTINA CAVALLINI was born and brought up in Milan, Italy. She studied Illustration at Chelsea School of Art and Design and the University of the West of England, Bristol, where she now lives. She works in watercolour, combining hand-painted paper with found materials to create textured images. In 2007 her illustrations were chosen for the Bologna Book Fair Illustrators' Exhibition and toured Japan and Korea. Going to Mecca is Valentina's first published picture book.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Walk with the pilgrims

As they cross, just like Hajar,

The valley that lies

In between those two hills.

Where she ran and ran,

Backwards and forwards.

Seven times over,

Looking for water.



Weep with the pilgrims

As they think of her pain.



Wait with the pilgrims

As the ninth day approaches.

And the city swells

With pilgrims from all lands.

From city

And steppe,

From island

And desert.

They all congregate

To continue the journey.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lincoln Children's Books
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184780490X
• ISBN 13: 9781847804907
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32