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Wednesday 31 May 2017

Sleep well, Siba and Saba by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

illustrated by Sandra van Doorn

review by Maryom

Sisters Siba and Saba are always losing things - slippers, sweaters, a satin sash, a shawl - and when they go to sleep, they dream of them. Until one night when their dreams change, and instead of dreaming of the things they've lost, they imagine things that will happen in the future.



This is a charming, engaging picture book that will fill children with delight. While reading the story (or having it read to them) they can search the pictures to find the seven sweaters and the seven speeding busses they were lost on, see where the silver slippers ended up, who has found the lost bedroom slippers, or even how many words beginning with 'S' they can spot - and then, when Siba and Saba begin to dream about the future, the reader can imagine what exciting things lie ahead for them too.

As with others in their catalogue, this book reflects Lantana's intent to produce picture books recognising and celebrating diversity. The story is universal, but the beautiful illustrations reflect the author's Ugandan heritage with  flamingos, pelicans, and other exotic birds flitting across the pages, lending a magical quality to the tale.

The story will help children come to terms with the idea that some things lie in the past and can only be recollected in dreams, but that there are always new things to discover, that perhaps we haven't even dreamed of yet!


Publisher - Lantana
genre - children's picture book, 4-8

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