When Saamidah, a young Palestinian refugee, is asked by her friends what her name means, she isn't quite sure what to say. She turns to her baba for some answers - but what she gets is an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. Join Saamidah on a lyrical journey, with dazzling illustrations, that brings to life her beloved homeland and celebrates the richness of her cultural heritage and the determination to return.
About the Author
Rifk Ebeid is the debut author of the must-have children's book Baba, What Does My Name Mean? She was born and raised in the United States, but is originally Palestinian, hailing from the beautiful cities of al-Khalil (Hebron) and al-Quds (Jerusalem). Rifk has been a lifelong lover of all things Palestine, and first began her advocacy work with an impassioned letter to the editor in the seventh grade. Her happiest memories were the summers she spent in al-Quds with her very big Palestinian family, exploring the land and soaking in every bit of its rich history and resilient people. She lives in Florida, with her husband, family, and three children, who were all named after beloved cities in Palestine.
Rifk has a JD from George Mason University, an MA in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University, and an MA in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Colorado. She has worked extensively in the field of human rights and media advocacy with various human rights organizations in the US, Jerusalem, and the UAE.
About the Illustrator
Lamaa Jawhari is a 2D animator/illustrator. Originally Palestinian, but born and raised in Jordan, she studied animation and worked there for more than 10 years. She now lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband and baby.
Lamaa works as a freelance artist doing animation and children's books. She did a small animated part with "Just Like You Films," and has worked with some of the leading companies in the MENA region such as "Little Thinking Minds" and "Kharabeesh."
Advance Reviews
"Beautifully illustrated and text that comes from the heart and connects us to the land in a touching way."
-Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, Professor and Author
"Rifk Ebeid has written a lyrical, celebrative journey around the names and places that were and continue to be Palestine in the hearts of millions. Focusing on deliciousness and the sweetness of presence, she carries me back to my Palestinian father's bedtime tales - as the story unfolds. Miraculously, she makes it all rhyme. So many people will appreciate this precious tasty book and want to pass it on and on."
-Naomi Shihab Nye, Author of Habibi
"Join Saamidah and her Dove of Peace, Salam on this enchanted journey across the land of historic Palestine. As Saamidah rediscovers her Palestinian roots, her ancestral homeland becomes a tangible place, rife with life and hope. Rifk Ebeid's "Baba, What Does My Name Mean" is an enjoyable, yet profound representation of Palestine that will help children trace their Palestinian identity and heritage in an unforgettable way. At a time that mainstream media is deliberately assigning Palestine and her people with negative associations, damaging undertones and harmful stereotypes, Ebeid's book is a refreshing reminder of a people's spirit that cannot be suppressed. This beautiful book is a gentle whisper of hope, pure in its intentions, and compelling in its underlying, unmistakable meaning."
-Ramzy Baroud, Palestinian Author and Journalist
