Through Sand and Salt: A Tale of Discovery Across the Sahara

From critically acclaimed artist Elizabeth Zunon, a picture book about one boy on a journey to deliver salt across the desert—a journey that will reveal the precious rock's true value.

In the Sahara, salt is worth its weight in gold. When Malik is finally old enough to join his father's caravan, transporting salt across the long trade route to Timbuktu, he can't wait to prove himself worthy of this big responsibility.

Over the long and difficult route, the boy will discover that salt does far more than just preserve and flavor food. With its essential roles in trade, ritual, civilizations, and even our bodies, salt sustains life. Most important of all, Malik discovers his own self-confidence as he grows from a novice to a future leader of his salt caravan.

This gorgeous, awe-inspiring picture book celebrates the remarkable journey that salt takes, the connections forges, and its power to nourish us.

Elizabeth Zunon was born in Albany, New York, and grew up in the Ivory Coast, West Africa. As a little girl, she loved to draw, paint, make up dances, and play dress-up. As she grew up, she didn’t really change! Elizabeth now lives in Albany, where she explores a multicultural world through painting, silk-screening, and collage. She is the author and illustrator of Grandpa Cacao, and the illustrator of many books including Bedtime for Sweet Creatures, written by Nikki Grimes; One Plastic Bag, written by Miranda Paul; The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer; and The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, written by Carole Boston Weatherford. www.lizzunon.com • @ElizabethZunon

"This beautifully written, vibrantly illustrated book would be a solid choice for sharing the culture and life experiences of desert ­dwellers, whether as windows or mirrors." —School Library Journal

"An eye-opening look at an overlooked chapter in history." —Booklist, starred review

"Many readers will be enticed into further research. An intriguing glimpse into traditions in a fascinating climate." —Kirkus Reviews

"A vividly told work that conveys salt’s significance to taste, trade, growing things, and more." —Publishers Weekly

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures
“Zunon’s art takes this book to the next level.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Grandpa Cacao
“Zunon, who based the story on her own childhood, uses a winsome blend of paint, collage and ghostly screen-printed figures that represent the faraway Grandpa Cacao—who appears in a buoyant surprise ending.” —New York Times Book Review
“Evocative . . . sure to expand the minds of children, this is an engaging multicultural addition for a public library picture book collection.” —School Library Journal, starred review

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
“Sure to resonate with children who will simply love the curiosity, resilience and resourcefulness of this doughty African youth.” —The Wall Street Journal