Saif's Special Patches
Saif is “just shy,” or at least that’s what everyone tells him. When his mom comforts him with a patchwork quilt made of his special memories, he remembers that he’s so much more.
He was brave when he went down the biggest slide at the Eid picnic. He was smart when he won the scavenger hunt among his friends. He was persistent when it took him a year to learn to read the Quran. He’s helpful when he lends a hand to clean up the mosque.
Saif isn’t just shy. Like his patchwork quilt, he is still growing.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-958372-67-8
|
$18.99 | |
|
978-1-958372-71-5
|
$23.99 |
| Interest Level | Preschool - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Genre | Picture Books |
| Category | Diverse Books: Celebrating Differences , Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2025 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Soaring Kite Books |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Publication Date | 2025-03-04 |
Author: Humera Malik
Humera Malik is a teacher-turned-writer of Muslim faith and Pakistani roots. Through her writing, Humera brings to life characters that celebrate South Asian heritage and culture but whose stories are relatable to any child. Humera loves to travel and has lived in the US, UK, India, and Kuwait. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband and three young children. When she isn’t writing, Humera can be found running, reading, or drinking coffee. Lots of coffee.
Illustrator: Ravan Sader
Ravan Sader is an artist and book illustrator based in Amman, Jordan, who loves creating fun, adventurous characters. Ravan designs imaginary worlds, narrates visual stories, and enjoys painting.
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Reviews
Publishers Weekly
“Past successes sewn into a precious quilt help a boy to work through self-doubt in this reassuring picture book about growth taking time. . . In smudgy, pastel-textured illustrations, Sader portrays key moments past and present alongside Saif’s unreservedly earnest endeavors.”—Publishers Weekly
Foreword Reviews
“A shy child draws courage from a patchwork quilt in this tender picture book. When Saif declares he is too shy to play basketball with his friends, his mother comforts him by telling him his favorite quilt is made of pieces of him, like the shirt he wore when he was brave and went down the big slide. Saif is reminded of other memories immortalized in the quilt; together, they teach him that he is brave, smart, persistent, helpful, and, most important, still growing.”—Foreword Reviews
School Library Journal
“Sader evokes peace and calm with a brightly colored palette of yellows, reds, purples, and blues reminiscent of pastels on a watercolor background. VERDICT This warm tale about self-realization and growth is recommended for picture book collections.”—School Library Journal