Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad

Summary of Book

WHEN BOMBS BEGIN TO FALL, Ali drowns out the sould of war with a pen.

Like other children living in Baghdad, Ali loves soccer, music and dancing, but most of all, he loves the ancient art of calligraphy. When bombs begin to fall on his city, Ali turns to his pen, writing sweeping and gliding words to the silent music that drowns out the war all around him. Gorgeously illustrated with collage, pencil and charcoal drawings and, of course, exquisite calligraphy, this timely and yet universal story celebrates art and history but also offers young children a way to understand all they see and hear on the news.

Author Biography

I grew up in Southern California. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad and Afghanistan. I was a Fulbright lecturer in Rwanda. I have lived in Honolulu for over thirty years. I began writing and illustrating children's books in 1996, with the publication of my first book, The Cloudmakers (Houghton Mifflin). Since that time, I have written and illustrated 16 books and many more are on the way. I am also interested in fine bookmaking and have my own letter press called Manoa Press, founded in 1986. I have published many limited-edition handmade books.

Illustrator Biography

I grew up in Southern California. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad and Afghanistan. I was a Fulbright lecturer in Rwanda. I have lived in Honolulu for over thirty years. I began writing and illustrating children's books in 1996, with the publication of my first book, The Cloudmakers (Houghton Mifflin). Since that time, I have written and illustrated 16 books and many more are on the way. I am also interested in fine bookmaking and have my own letter press called Manoa Press, founded in 1986. I have published many limited-edition handmade books.