This is a beautifully written story about a camel who saves herself and her charges, two young kestrels, through the telling of stories. It touches on the themes of family, friendship, hope, and perserverance, but at it's heart, this is a story about the importance of stories. Sharing our stories can provide encouragement and comfort, bridge gaps, and change hearts. This message is as important as it is timely, and is subtly presented by a cast of lovable characters. This book would make a wonderful family or classroom read-aloud. The lovely illustrations scattered throughout the book were an added bonus.

This book has a great cover and the story line is nice. However, I didn’t care for the switch to another story that took place in the past being interspersed with a current dangerous situation that the characters were presently in. The story is very long. I think it would be nicer as two separate books.

Oh, what an adventure this book takes you on! Zada, a camel, and her kestrel friends, Perlita and Pard with their two new baby chicks are walking one day when a dust storm comes along and changes everything. As the wall of dust comes closer, Perlita and Pard have Zada hide the chicks in her fur while Perlita and Pard get swept away with the wind. Over time Zada and the chicks hide out in an escarpment, and Zada passes the time by telling the chicks stories of her life and her best friend Asiye. Days after the wind dies down, they leave the area hoping to find Perlita and Pard. Can they find them?