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
Fall 2024
The Goldfish written by Katherine Arden | Astra Books for Young Readers
Fall 2024
Sakina and the Uninvited Guests | Bloomsbury Publishing NYC
Spring 2025
Fishermans New Year | Bloomsbury Publishing NYC
2025
My Sister the Apple Tree written by Jamal Saeed and Jordan Scott | Random House
Fall 2025
Soft Sea Rain and Spirits | Enchanted Lion Books
Winter 2025 — TBD (logo below by Dasha Tolstikova)
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.
