The Day Saida Arrived

Two girls forge a forever-friendship by learning each other’s language. The Day Saida Arrived demonstrates the power of language to build bonds beyond borders.

What happens when a new friend arrives who doesn’t speak your language? A young girl searches for the words to help her friend feel welcome and happy in her new home, and along the way learns about differences and similarities in countries and words. The two forge a strong bond while they each learn the other’s language, exploring the world around them.

A joyous, lyrical text―including English translations and pronunciations and the complete Arabic alphabet―offers an accessible, fresh approach to talking about immigration. Paired with lushly vivid illustrations, The Day Saida Arrived demonstrates the power of language to build bonds beyond borders. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks.

Susana Gómez Redondo has degrees in information sciences, literary theory, and comparative literature. She has published several picture books and teaches pedagogy at the Soria University School of Education. 

Translator: Lawrence Schimel writes in both Spanish and English and has published over 120 books in a wide range of genres. He is also a prolific literary translator. He lives in Madrid, Spain.

Celebrated illustrator Sonja Wimmer has won numerous awards, including Moonbeam Children's Book Award Gold Medal for Best Illustrator

• 2021 NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
• 2020 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist

“A lyrical, playful book about immigration, respect, learning, and friendship across cultures. Remarkably, the exchange between the two new friends presents the two languages and cultures as equal and the learning as reciprocal, offering a great resource for learning about immigration and cultural difference.” ―Kirkus Reviews
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“A beautiful reminder that keeping open hearts and minds to others will be one of the most important things we’ll ever do.” — Books for Diversity.com

“This gorgeous book is a celebration of language and words, as well as a touching friendship story about welcoming a new immigrant and finding a way to communicate . . . The whimsical illustrations show words of every type scattered about the pages, sometimes hiding, sometimes playing, in both English and Arabic. Love, love, love.” ― Abby Johnson, Collection Development Lead, New Albany-Floyd County Public Library

“Each child’s knowledge and competence is equally valued as the two embark on a balanced friendship . . . ” ―Publishers Weekly

“Exploring and widening each other worlds through language and friendship, these girls are a model for promoting a culture of welcoming and belonging.” ―Abdelaziz Rhazzali, I'm Your Neighbor Books