Sour Cherries: An Afghan Family Story

Sour Cherries: An Afghan Family Story

Written by Dezh Azaad and Illustrated by Nan Cao
Published by Abrams | Hardcover | Pages: 32
Animation by Nan Cao
Photos by Daniel Frumhoff

Sour Cherries follows a summer day as an Afghan child learns to make sour cherry jam, stew, and tea with his mother, just like she learned from her mother. Pull the stem, pop the seed—together, they carefully prep their family dishes while sharing stories of his grandmother and the place they come from. Inspired by the author’s life, this warmhearted companion to The Carpet: An Afghan Family Story celebrates the taste of home.

“My favorite day is in the summer,
picking cherries with my mother.”

The Reviews

“A lovely tribute to family and the continuity of rituals that bind generations together. A heartwarming celebration of family and the joys of shared traditions. Using bold reds, blues, and yellows, the bright artwork depicts a warm, cheery day.” – Kirkus

"This companion title to 2023's The Carpet puts readers in an idyllic rural setting as a happy family of four sets about harvesting cherries...the picnic takes on a deeper meaning: the passing on of traditions, honoring of ancestors, and making of memories...illustrations add a cheerful tone."
– Booklist

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