Aisha's Colors

by Nabila Adani

Why can’t Aisha go on colorful, faraway vacations like her friends? A bighearted, universal story about living in the moment and seeing the beauty on your own doorstep.

Every year on vacation, Aisha and her parents take the same trip from their home in Jakarta to Grandma’s village in the countryside. This year, Aisha wants to see something different! Like the crunchy white snow her friend Jennie will explore (sort of like that white frozen treat Aisha enjoys on the road). Or the blue swimming pool that Dismas is floating in (almost as blue as the sparkling sea that Aisha can see out her window). And those tropical fish her neighbor saw at the aquarium—were they like the rainbow kites Aisha sees soaring in the sky? In both words and light, airy illustrations, first-time author Nabila Adani brings home an appreciation of the simple beauties around us—and the special warmth of family that welcomes you with open arms.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Muslims, Travel

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Nabila Adani worked briefly as a product designer in Japan and Indonesia before moving to the United States to study children’s book illustration. Among the children’s books she has illustrated are Be a Bridge by Irene Latham and Charles Waters and Sunny and the Birds by Wendy Meddour. Nabila Adani lives in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she enjoys illustrating and telling stories for children around the world.

Reviews

[delilah montemayor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Aisha's Colors" by Nabila Adani is a beautifully written story reminding the reader to find joy in what they are doing instead of comparing their experiences to others. I plan on reading this to my first graders after any school break to remind them that just because they might not have the most extravagant vacation, it doesn't mean they aren't making lovely memories. Recommended for ages 5-8 by the SEPA School Library Book Reviewers.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful and colorful story focuses on young Aisha as he and his parents travel for their vacation trip to see his grandmother. He is wishful and discontent because his friends are vacationing in snowy or beachy places so much different from his family's trip to see a relative. A trip often taken with nothing new and different to experience.

As they travel Aisha speaks of a different friend's place to visit and what they'll experience and then Aisha realizes that he, too, will experience much the same colorful and visual joy as his friends.

But in the end he realizes that his most joyful (noted as the joyful color yellow) place is at the side of his Grandmother. The story is about an Indonesian family but could apply to a family anywhere.

A lovely story of joy in family.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

On first glance it seems this 32 page picture book is going to focus on colors from the perspective of a little Muslim girl in Indonesia, but it isn't a basic color book, in fact only three colors are even explored.  The book is also not religious, aside from the hijab wearing mother and grandmother in the illustrations. And the writing isn't really noteworthy, but yet, the book is endearing, and I can't wait for my physical copy to arrive so I can share it with my kids and some classes for story time. The book has a plot, a little girl wishing she was spending her summer vacation seeing and going fun place like her friends.  Instead she is going to her Grandma's house, the same place they always go.  She throws a bit of a tantrum, and then cools off and gains some perspective.  It is sweet, it is realistic, it shows growth and life lessons of appreciating the beauty around you, and not worrying about other people, all without preaching or talking down to the reader in the simple text.  It is joyful and highlights bits of Indonesian culture with beautiful images by the author-illustrator, a solid addition on bookshelves for ages 3 and up.

The book starts with Aisha bemoaning that her friends are going to fun far away places over the holidays, and she is going where they always go, from their home in Jakarta, to their Grandma's village.  She tells her parents about her friend Jennie going to see snow this year, and imagines the cold white crispness that she doesn't know.  Her parents respond by taking her to get es campur.  

She then laments about Dimas floating in turquoise water looking up at a blue sky, to which her father encourages her to look out the window.  When their car breaks down, and Aisha is encouraged to go cool down after her tantrum, her mom works on fixing the car, and a sky of kites shakes Aisha's melancholy mood.  By the time they arrive at Grandma's Aisha is seeing her own vacation in a different way, surrounded by colors, love, and family.

The book warms your heart, Aisha is grumpy, but not annoying, and the yellow warmth of Grandma is palpable.  I wish a few more colors were included and more culture shown that way, and I stumbled repeatedly over a few awkward sentences, not that they were wrong, but they just didn't seem to flow when read aloud.  Overall, a good book. Preorder today, it releases September 3, 2024. 

[books.bintulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nov 2025: Aisha's Colours

Have you met a book that made you miss home?🤍

For me, this book. It feels like a warm hug on a gloomy day.

It's summer holiday and Aisha and her parents are going back to Grandma's home in the countryside. Never a faraway journey like her friends, who get to play with snow, a holiday house with a pool or an aquarium! This little girl is determined to see something new this time!

But along the journey, things get out of hand. Somehow, her parents were able to make Aisha see something that fills her heart. And when they arrived, she learned that comparing your life with others is just tiresome.

I could really relate to the story of Aisha. My children came home once and told me stories of their classmates going on an overseas trip during the school break.

But hey kids, look how still lucky we are. We still get to travel to see the grandparents once or twice a year. We still get to travel to amazing places here. Or else, we travel by books!😁

This book teaches young readers to appreciate life and notice the simple things around them. Even when the car breaks down (in our case, a flight delay😅), we can turn the situation into something beautiful.

Thank you @adaninabila.illo for writing such a beautiful story featuring Indonesian food, culture and breathtaking scenery. The illustrations are therapeutic. I love the part where Aisha's family and Grandma sit down on the floor to have dinner together. Oh, I miss home🥹

Thank you #Pansing for this beautiful book. This book is available at all good bookstores.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aisha lives in Jakarta and every summer, his family takes the same vacation: to visit his Grandmother’s village in the countryside. He wants to go somewhere different. As they drive along in their small blue car, he complains about never having seen snow. Mom (in a blue hijab) suggests a stop for their favorite frozen treat es campur (shaved ice) topped with a rainbow of syrup flavors. Aisha’s buddy Dimas gets to float in a hotel resort pool, but Dad sweeps his hand toward the gorgeous expanse of the blue ocean right next to the highway. When he finally reaches Grandma’s loving arms and beautiful garden, he announces that yellow is his favorite color, just like sunshine, and also the color of his grandmother's abaya. Beautiful full page mixed media illustrations show us vibrant urban and rural views of Indonesia. Adani herself is from Indonesia and her shimmering artwork captures the beauty of her country. This simple story about enjoying what you have and celebrating the beauty of the familiar will strike a chord with many caregivers, especially those who chose modest excursions or visiting family over lavish vacations. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
I read a digital advanced copy courtesy of the publisher
Aisha feels her summer vacation is boring. She never goes anywhere amazing, except her grandmother's house. On the way there, she tells her parents all about the amazing vacations her friends will be having and her family points out how they are seeing dome of the same amazing colors. Aisha starts to see things in a different light and stops the comparisons.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aisha's friends get to go really fun places on vacation but Aisha had to go to her grandma's house every vacation. It is boring to her. She thinks about all the things her friends do and there are lots of colors. But then one trip she really looks at stuff on her way to her grandma's house and she sees colors. She learns that there is good stuff around us if we look for it. The pictures are nice with lots of colors. (review by Amanaki, 4th grade)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous! The art is fantastic. Aisha and her family are going on vacation to visit her grandmother in Jakarta. She elements about her friends going on more exciting vacation. She realizes when they get to grandmas house, that the best vacation is with loved ones.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning to appreciate what you have is such a key skill for happiness.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely ADORED this book!!!
This was such a beautiful reminder to appreciate all that we have and all that is around us!

Aisha is feeling envious about all the big trips her friends are taking, and that she is *just* going to the countryside to his grandmother’s house… again… the same as they do every year. However, as they travel there, her family helps show her the beauty and joy and FUN of the trip they are on together. She learns to appreciate the trip, her family, her grandmother, and all the colours around her.

Heartwarming, beautiful, joyful- an important message that I think will resonate with every child!
And the illustrations....!!!! Perfection.