Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom

by Callie Metler, Melissa Stoller, Kate Talbot (Illustrator)

Overview

When they meet on the first day of school, three girls realize they are different from each other - Molly is Christian, Savera is Muslim, and Hannah is Jewish. Through a class planting project, the girls' friendship blossoms, and they learn they are more alike than they thought. Written by three women authors from the same faith traditions as the girls in the story, this book brings more kindness and understanding into the world.

PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781950169603
Publisher:	Spork
Publication date:	10/19/2021
Series:	Peace, Salaam, Shalom , #1
Pages:	36
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Callie Metler is the owner of Clear Fork Media, and an author and illustrator of several children's books. She lives in Stamford, Texas with her two sons, and enjoys looking out her office window at the trees and nature in the local town square. www.CallieMetler.com

Editorial Reviews

2021-11-09
Three girls from different religious backgrounds become friends in Metler, Rahman, and Stoller’s picture book.

Molly, Savera, and Hannah are nervous before their first day of school, so they receive special necklaces: Christian Molly’s mom gives her a cross “for comfort and peace”; Muslim Savera wears a necklace with her grandma’s “prayer to protect” her; and Jewish Hannah’s dad gives her a Star of David to “inspire [her] and offer shalom.” In the classroom, the girls happily notice one another’s necklaces. During a class planting project, the three team up to help one another when their plants don’t grow as expected. Over winter, the trio’s friendship grows; illustrations show the girls partaking in various holiday traditions, such as playing dreidel at Hannah’s during Hanukkah. In the spring, they plant saplings in the park close to one another: “Just like us!” The three authors, who have the same religious backgrounds as the characters, offer a charming tale that underscores how sharing traditions and learning from one another ultimately helps people grow and strengthens their connections. The jaunty language (“necklaces bounced, bobbed, and bumped”) is sure to appeal to young readers. Talbot’s cheerful, cartoonish illustrations emphasize details of the characters’ faiths, such as Shabbat candlesticks at Hannah’s, a prayer rug at Savera’s, and a cross on Molly’s wall.

An inclusive, heartening tale of faith, friendship, and teamwork.

Kirkus Reviews