Zorah's Magic Carpet

Leigh Dodds is an elementary-school teacher in North Bay, Ontario.

Zorah and her husband Akhmed are Moroccan farmers who make their living
selling their cheese at the bazaar. At the bazaar, Zorah encounters
merchants whose stories of their homelands make her yearn to visit those
foreign places. Her dream soon comes true, for after preventing a sheep
from being sacrificed to celebrate a Moroccan festival, Zorah is told by
the sheep how to transform his wool into a flying carpet. When Akhmed
discovers that his wife has spared the sheep, he becomes angry; however,
it is this beautiful carpet that allows Zorah to secretly travel. By
selling the souvenirs she has acquired through her trips, Zorah earns
extra money. Her husband, ignorant of the true source of the money, is
then able to expand his sheep herd.

This is not Stefan Czernecki’s first book, but it is his first solo
effort as both author and illustrator. Having spent time in Morocco,
Czernecki is well positioned to create a story rich with Moroccan
artistry and traditions. The reader learns from this book not only about
Morocco but also about the cultures of the Ukraine, India, and China.
Czernecki’s vibrant illustrations are the perfect complement to a
story that is sure to become a favorite among children and adults alike.
Highly recommended.