The Library Bus, written by Bahram Rahman and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. Pajama Press, 2020. $21.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Mama starts the bus - Bwob - b -b- ...
Vroom! - and they are off to a refugee 
camp beyond the mountains. The old 
city spreads out in front of them like 
the colorful embroidered scarfs in the 
Grand Bazaar. Tiny houses, dusty roads,
one hill after another, and then a ring of 
rugged mountains."

Hopeful stories impact each of us in these troubled times. Bahram Rahman grew up in Afghanistan and knows the struggles and stories of children living there. During visits to orphanages and refugee camps, he met children whose lives were made better by the efforts of others. Pari's mother is one of the people making a difference in the lives of young girls with little access to education or books. 

She drives a library bus - the only one in Kabul - from her home in Kabul to a village, then to a refugee camp, bringing books and a love of learning to the young girls who live there and are unable to attend school. It is the first time that Pari has been invited to accompany her mother, and she is pleased to be able to help. 

In the village the girls return borrowed books and choose new ones. Before moving on, Pari's mother helps them practice their English, through songs and counting.  The girls are keen learners and happily climb aboard for new books and new lessons. Once their work is done, the bus is on its way to the refugee camp. While Mama helps with book exchange, Mari is in charge of handing out new school supplies. Lessons begin and end. The bus heads for home. 

Mama reminds Mari that she will soon be attending school in the city, while the girls they have met today will only see the library bus once a week. There are no schools where they live. Mari is one of the lucky ones. At the end of the day, Mama expresses her thanks for the work Mari has done while on the bus. Mari tucks up in bed thinking about the next time they will go. 

Warm and inviting artwork, done in watercolor and digital media, allows readers a chance to appreciate both setting and characters. The author's note adds context for the telling, and an information box explains the need for camps to house refugees.