Sumaya Solves the Droopy Gift Problem

Description: Sumaya wants to give her cousin a plant for a graduation gift, but the plant is drooping and looking sick. Can she restore it to health?

Brief description: Aisha Ahmed is a Somali American author with a background in engineering. She was born in East Africa to Somali parents and immigrated to Minnesota as a teenager. Aisha enjoys being out in nature and learning more about the natural world. Aisha also writes stories for older readers.

Review Quotes: Sumaya is an eight-year-old girl who recently moved to the United States from Somalia. In this series, Ahmed, who was born in East Africa to Somali parents and ­later moved to Minnesota, introduces young readers to science through Sumaya's curiosity about the world around her. In the newest titles, she explores topics like woodpeckers, how flowers grow, the states of matter when the ice melts, and how ­polar animals stay warm. These concepts are explained in a way that feels natural and engaging rather than like a textbook, making science accessible for young readers. The large, simple text and short three-­chapter structure keep the books approachable, while colorful, full-page illustrations enhance the storytelling. Each title concludes with fun facts, a glossary, and discussion questions. ­VERDICT A wonderful, diverse ­series that makes ­science relatable and ­lively. An excellent addition to any collection.-- "School Library Journal"