Suuban’s First Day: A First Day of Herding Story

A child grows into new responsibilities around the rhythms of the natural world in this captivating tale that’s, per an endnote by Salh (The Last Nomad, for adults), based on the author’s childhood in the deserts of Somalia. Though she loves to feed the goats, camels, and sheep that her family herds, “Suuban wanted to do more than just help with the animals.” Responding to Suuban’s question about when she can herd the goats alone, her grandmother, Ayeeyo, answers, “When you lose your front teeth,” an event that will occur “when four full moons pass” and “when you hear the frogs sing out from the pond.” Sure enough, “at the height of the fourth full moon, as soft rain began to fall,” Suuban tongues her front tooth, and out it comes. And after getting a baby goat to butt the second tooth, Suuban gains the ability to herd solo—and the challenges that come with it. Ònájìn (Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà) renders Suuban and her charges in gouache-style digital illustrations that offer sweeping views of the landscape, from which quick-thinking Suuban, given a measure of autonomy, gleans insight into resourcefulness and persistence. Ages 3–6. Agent (for author and illustrator): Gillian MacKenzie, Gillian MacKenzie Agency. (Jan.)