The Day of Ahmed's Secret

"I buy my beans and rice, and sit in the shade of the old wall.

My father has told me the wall is a thousand years old, and even our great-great-grandfathers were not yet born when it was built. There are many old buildings, nay old walls like the one I lean against, in this city.

I close my eyes and have my quiet time, the time my father says I must have each day. "If there are no quiet spaces in your head, it fills with noise," he has told me.

He has shown me how to find my way in the city, and he has taken me to each place where I now have to bring the heavy bottles."

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Florence Heide

Heide wrote over 100 books for children and young adults. She worked with illustrators such as Edward Gorey, Lane Smith, and Jules Feiffer.

Heide began writing after her five children entered school. She co-authored a number of books with Gilliland, one of her twin daughters who both grew up to write children's books.

Ted Lewin

Lewin has illustrated over 200 children's books and earned many honors in his long career. The Day of Ahmed's Secret was

• an ALA Notable Book
• an ALA Booklist Editors Choice
• a School Library Journal Starred book, and
• the  Children's Book Council Cultural Diversity book.

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Wonder

A good secret, a secret you can't wait to share with your parents is a special rite of passage for children. Life is so exciting and wonderful and you have good news to share with someone who loves you -- the sense of wonder this creates imbues the child's whole body with joy.

Picture book, 31 pages. A young Egyptian boy describes the city of Cairo as he goes about his daily work, longing for evening to share a surprise with his family.