Splendidly Sawsan

From award-winning illustrator Shahrzad Maydani and debut author Razan Abdin, this affirming, social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious little girl who sees the world differently—while offering a fresh, intersectional approach to neurodivergence

Sawsan is a storyteller and a dreamer, a mover and a shaker. Her imagination sends her soaring into space or diving deep into the ocean with the jellyfish!

With all her energy and excitement, words EXPLODE out of her mouth during story time. Sitting still at school feels IMPOSSIBLE! And sometimes, when her feelings swell up and BURST! like waves, it feels like she’s not in control of her brain or her body—even though she’s trying her best.

“Let’s create a strategy, you and me,” says Dr. Salim . . . After all, she knows Sawsan isn’t “rude” or “bad”—she just needs a little help navigating her big, bursty emotions.

A story of affirming others and learning to love yourself, this social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious, neurodivergent child who sees the world a little differently—and maybe that’s a pretty splendid thing.