Going to Mecca

K-Gr 4—Free verse introduces children to the ritual traditions of the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims make if they are able. A father, mother, brother, and sister fly from London to Saudi Arabia on "the journey of a lifetime," and readers are enjoined to participate vicariously with the family as they wrap themselves in white sheets, gaze upon the Black Stone, and more. Cavallini depicts the full diversity of Muslims in her color-drenched collage and mixed-media illustrations, which will help children with a limited knowledge of Islam to see that many different kinds of people are followers of this faith. The first letter of the poem on each page is reminiscent of Arabic writing, enhancing the feeling of being immersed in this sacred experience. Robert's reverential text flows well, and necessary back matter explains more about the Hajj and the rituals surrounding it, but non-Muslim children may still be left with many questions. For example, when the text states that the pilgrims' heads are bare, children will want to know why the women's heads are covered. At the end of the Hajj, "[t]he pilgrims shave their hair." Once again, it is only the men who do this. Libraries serving communities with large Muslim populations will certainly want this in their collections; those libraries looking for material to explain Muslim culture and traditions might not find it as useful.—Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI