Books
Where Butterflies Fill the Sky | Bloomsbury Publishing NYC
29 March 2022
Best illustrated books – New York Times Article
The artists behind this year’s winning books, in their studios – New York Times Article
The Sunflowers | Feiwel and Friends
September 2024
The Strangest Fish written by Katherine Arden | Astra Books for Young Readers
September 2024
Sakina and the Uninvited Guests | Bloomsbury Publishing NYC
April 2025
My Sister the Apple Tree written by Jamal Saeed and Jordan Scott | Random House
September 2025
Fishermans New Year | Bloomsbury Publishing NYC
2026
Soft Sea Rain and Spirits | Enchanted Lion Books
Winter 2027 (logo below by Dasha Tolstikova)
Haniya’s Ramadan Garden written by Zeshan Akhter | Walker Books
Spring 2027
Editorial Reviews for Where Butterflies Fill the Sky
“Utterly original and enjoyable from start to finish.” – NPR
“The interplay of simple, literal prose and complex, figurative illustration here lifts this sensitive and useful picture book on immigration into an inviting exploration of how experiences are transformed by time and memory.” —BCCB, starred review
“Every page includes tiny imaginative details to enchant attentive readers: flowers, birds, fish, prayer beads, oud, guitarrón, and much more. This sensitive and beautifully depicted story should touch all young readers, regardless of family background or origin.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“A nuanced representation of belonging and citizenship that will ring true for many whose sense of home has never been absolute.” —The Horn Book
“The affectionate text is accompanied by traditionally created watercolor illustrations, the palette conveying the feel and beauty of the places featured in the book. A valuable insight into the world of immigration and displacement.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Zahra Marwan’s stylistic ink and watercolor illustrations are magnificent, incorporating motifs, memories, and colors of both cultures throughout . . . This book seamlessly connects the two cultures, enhancing this simply told story rich in the concepts of immigration, family, and home.” —School Library Connection
“Judge this book by its gorgeous cover, note the promise held in its title, and stay through the end for its hopeful message. In this dreamlike memoir, Marwan recounts her family’s immigration from Kuwait to New Mexico in sparse prose and whimsical, vibrant watercolor illustrations.” —Booklist
“Her initial sketches are refined then enhanced with ink and watercolor washes, creating enchanting, winsome scenes. Without erasing the difficulties of displacement and reinvention in a strange land, Marwan ensures a colorful, captivating odyssey for younger readers.” —Shelf Awareness — Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
“This dreamlike picture book traces a family’s similar arc. . .with loose, thin-lined illustrations that reflect the child’s feelings of being unmoored, this spare picture book thoughtfully explores the difficulties of limited childhood perspective and settling in a new place.” Publishers Weekly
NPR’s Best Books of 2022: Books we Love
An interview with Ari Shaprio.
Editorial Reviews for the Sunflowers:
“This inspiring, age-appropriate biography of Van Gogh focuses on how the artist persisted in painting sunflowers at a time when most people regarded them as garish and rustic.”
Booklist Starred Review
“Rich descriptive language (“It was like speaking poetry just by arranging colors”) accompanies dreamy and delicate illustrations in watercolor, ink, pen, and pencil.”
School Library Journal Starred Review
Editorial Reviews for the Strangest Fish:
A Kids Indie Next List Pick – American Booksellers Association
Strangest Fish
September / October 2024
Junior Library Guild Selection
2024
“In Arden’s lyrical picture book debut, Marwan’s blending of watercolors captures the cozy autumn fair ambiance and the unwavering bond between a girl and her new pet…The double-page spreads of the lake foreshadow the mystery behind October, as Daisy—and young readers—are in for a big surprise in this compassionate read about the power of imagination and finding the magic of friendships in their everyday lives.” –Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A deeply empathetic look at the magic of love and compassion. With thick brushstrokes and a cool palette dominated by blues and browns, Marwan’s stunning pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations capture this unconditional nurturing bond, the concept of metamorphosis, and the transformative nature of autumn.” Kirkus – Starred Review
“Digitally finished pen, ink, and watercolor spreads by Marwan have a dreamy, Kandinsky-esque feel, with bright reds fading into pinks and greens, lavenders and mauves. Daisy is faithful to her unprepossessing prize, and Arden fittingly rewards this loyalty throughout an unexpected series of events that focuses on bonds and transformations established through tending.” —Publishers Weekly
“This debut picture book from popular novelist Arden incants a spell of weird individuality and wonder… Both Arden’s text and Marwan’s whimsical watercolors intrigue.” —Booklist
Editorial Reviews for Sakina and the Uninvited Guests
“When a sandstorm makes “the city orange—the sun like a tangerine, the waves like clementine peels,” Sakina and her mother spend the day at a museum. Watercolor and ink illustrations bring the unnamed Middle Eastern city to life as yellow sand-coated landscapes contrast with blue waters, palm trees, and Arabic letters and calligraphic inscriptions that float in the air. This imaginative book invites readers to learn more about their heritage through art; the illustrations beg multiple viewings to notice details.” —Horn Book – Starred Review
“Alternating between tangerine hues to ocean blues, the color ebbs with emotion. Set in an unnamed desert community, Marwan’s rhythmic telling sparks the imagination as Sakina peels effendi near “waves like clementine peels” amongst the arfaj flowers and ziziphus trees. A unique and stellar piece about taking time to look at what others have made before you, and to wonder, this is a mesmerizing glimpse into art and the past.” —School Library Journal – Starred Review
“Author Marwan’s art creates a dreamlike mood enriched by carefully observed detail. [This] unique, resonant story celebrates the transformative power of memory.” Booklist
“Watercolor and ink illustrations alternate between softly colored, whimsical sketches of reality and dreamy, impressionistic lapis images that show Sakina and her mother as part of the flow of time and generations.” —Publishers Weekly
“Rendered in a gold and pastel palette, the artwork is sumptuous. A stunningly illustrated celebration of heritage…” —Kirkus