A Good Morning for Giddo - Dahlia Hamza Constantine, Irene Latham & Basma Hosam
By Dahlia Hamza Constantine, Irene Latham & Basma Hosam
Release Date: 2026-04-07
Genre: Family & Relationships in Kids Fiction
A granddaughter makes her Giddoâs birthday extra special with a surprise gift in this delightful picture book that celebrates Egyptian art and family.
When Somaya and her beloved Giddo (Arabic word for grandfather) make their weekly trip to the market, Somaya is impatient to get to the tentmakerâs stall; she needs help to complete a birthday surprise for Giddo, but Giddo prefers to take his time to visit his many friends. At first Somaya is frustrated by the delay, but soon she sees the importance of checking in on friends. Like Hajj Mohammed who sells shimmery pots of ink and is sad since his son moved to a faraway land.
âGood Morning with roses and jasmine,â Hajj Mohammed greets them before inviting Somaya to choose a pen; Somaya bleeds a special birthday message onto paper for Giddo while he and Hajj Mohammed answer the call to prayer.
Next, they visit the jeweler. All around sparkling abalone fill baskets like treasure boxes. âGood morning of sweet cream, dearest Somaya,â Mariam says as she strings together a beautiful necklace. Giddo decides to stay for tea with Mariamâs father. Somaya loves listening to their chatter as the minty tea dazzles her tongue.
At last, they reach the tentmakersâs stall. Sunlight splashes through the covered roof onto the rainbow of fabrics lining both sides of the narrow alleyway. As Giddo oohs and ahhs over Ammu Safwatâs new designs, Somaya heads straight for his apprentice to get help with the final flourish of her gift to Giddo.
Finally, they are on their way home where Somaya and her parents surprise Giddo with a cake and Somayaâs special gift showing Giddo, the best tentmaker of them all, that sheâs now a tentmaker too!
Illustrator Basma Hosam entices the reader with a rich, tapestry of colors that honors the brilliance of artisans who keep the ancient arts of calligraphy, abalone inlay and textile alive.
A Good Morning for Giddo is a wonderful celebration of community, art and culture and the bond between generations.
A Good Morning for Giddo - Dahlia Hamza Constantine, Irene Latham & Basma Hosam
By Dahlia Hamza Constantine, Irene Latham & Basma Hosam
Release Date: 2026-04-07
Genre: Family & Relationships in Kids Fiction
