Splendidly Sawsan
A Picture Book
Will be published approx. on 1. October 2026
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-4197-7994-7 (ISBN)
Description
From award-winning illustrator Shahrzad Maydani and debut author Razan Abdin, this affirming, social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious little girl who sees the world differently-while offering a fresh, intersectional approach to neurodivergence
Sawsan is a storyteller and a dreamer, a mover and a shaker. Her imagination sends her soaring into space or diving deep into the ocean with the jellyfish!
With all her energy and excitement, words EXPLODE out of her mouth during story time. Sitting still at school feels IMPOSSIBLE! And sometimes, when her feelings swell up and BURST! like waves, it feels like she's not in control of her brain or her body-even though she's trying her best.
"Let's create a strategy, you and me," says Dr. Salim . . . After all, she knows Sawsan isn't "rude" or "bad"-she just needs a little help navigating her big, bursty emotions.
A story of affirming others and learning to love yourself, this social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious, neurodivergent child who sees the world a little differently-and maybe that's a pretty splendid thing.
Sawsan is a storyteller and a dreamer, a mover and a shaker. Her imagination sends her soaring into space or diving deep into the ocean with the jellyfish!
With all her energy and excitement, words EXPLODE out of her mouth during story time. Sitting still at school feels IMPOSSIBLE! And sometimes, when her feelings swell up and BURST! like waves, it feels like she's not in control of her brain or her body-even though she's trying her best.
"Let's create a strategy, you and me," says Dr. Salim . . . After all, she knows Sawsan isn't "rude" or "bad"-she just needs a little help navigating her big, bursty emotions.
A story of affirming others and learning to love yourself, this social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious, neurodivergent child who sees the world a little differently-and maybe that's a pretty splendid thing.
Reviews / Votes
***STARRED REVIEW***"Smudgy watercolor, chalk pastel, and crayon illustrations depict Sawsan's wide-ranging emotional landscape in this affirming and vibrant tale." * Publishers Weekly *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Abrams
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Illustrations
Full-color illustrations throughout
Dimensions
Height: 267 mm
Width: 216 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-4197-7994-7 (9781419779947)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Razan Abdin is a Palestinian writer who grew up in the American South and spent many summers in her ancestral homeland. She has been scribbling down stories since elementary school. When Abdin isn't busy arranging words on a page, she can be found exploring places near and far, filling her life with art (in all its forms), or daydreaming about a better world where everyone has what they need to thrive. She currently lives in Little Rock, Arkansas-on the traditional land of the Caddo, Osage, and Quapaw people-with her wild, wonderful standard poodle, Margot. Splendidly Sawsan is her debut book. Shahrzad Maydani is an award-winning illustrator and storyteller, and the author-illustrator of Leila and the Voice. She has illustrated picture books including Sister Friend by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Francis Discovers Possible by Ashlee Latimer, among others. Her work has received honors such as the Crystal Kite Award, a Kids Indie Next List pick, Junior Library Guild selection, multiple Bank Street Best Books, the Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Award, and starred reviews.