A Lemon for Safiya

By Jemima Shafei-Ongu & Nisaluk Chantanakom

Reviewed by Margarite Igras

Jemima Shafei-Ongu is a Sydney based writer, teacher, and psychologist. She loves picture books claiming they nurture a special connection between a child and adult reader and has written a range of pictures books for 4- to eight-year-olds, with titles that include Aslan and Benny, Shirin and Amir and Dragon Smoke, each representing diversity as a natural way of being in the world. In this heartwarming book, she shares a story from her rich Arabic heritage. Illustrator, Nisaluk Chantanakom has created a sensitive visual narrative of a compassionate encounter between an older forgetful woman and a little girl.

Safiya and her parents notice an old woman sitting on the edge of the road. She looks lost and confused. They gently approach and discover she is wearing a traditional long dress, a scarf and is holding a lemon. She speaks Arabic, which Safiya’s mother is able to translate. It is through Safiya’s kind and concerned questions that we learn about Maryam, her rich life in a distant homeland, and finally, her reunion with her very concerned family.

The text is dispersed with Arabic words that flows gently between the old lady, the mother and Safiya and readers will find the glossary of words at the end of the book helpful for more in-depth exploration of the language. The watercolour and pencil illustrations beautifully capture this encounter but, but what stands out are two double pages that reflect the distorted memories of the old woman and her village.

This is a story woven with diversity of culture, family loss, and caring for the vulnerable elderly in our community.

For children aged 3+

Teacher Resources

 Lothian Children’s Books 2025

Jemima Shafei-Ongu

Nisaluk Chantanakom