Book Reading: Safa Suleiman

KPSC welcomes author Safa Suleiman
For two special readings with discussion of her children’s book: Hilwa’s Gifts

Admission free
Friday, Oct. 3, 2 PM, Suquamish Museum
6861 NE South St., Suquamish

About Hilwa’s Gifts:
Ali is visiting his family in Palestine during the olive harvest and is startled by the whacking of the trees, especially his favorite tree, Hilwa. His grandfather Seedo reassures him that the whacking doesn’t harm the trees. “We would never hurt olive trees, habibi,” Seedo tells him. “Their gifts are too precious.” Soon Ali joins his grandparents and his cousins in singing and dancing and harvesting olives—just a gentle whack is all it takes for the tree to rain down its fruit. After that the olives are taken to the press and made into delicious oil. But Hilwa’s gifts don’t end there.

“Combining a centuries-old practice with the story about a Palestinian family and their relationship to the land make Hilwa’s Gifts an absolute treasure.”
—Booklist Starred Review