Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa Tanowska is a heartwarming story of hope during war told from a child’s perspective. This vividly descriptive picture book takes you to Damascus Syria and allows you to experience the city through a Nour’s eyes. This book highlights great feelings of hope, family, community and the love of reading. The illustrations are very detailed and the illustrator uses colour to reflect the mood in the story. Knowing that it is inspired by a true story, it highlights the importance of books (libraries) during times of peace and war. I would recommend this book for a child’s personal, class, school or public library as its message is universal.
Thank you to Net Galley, Wafa Tanowska, and Barefoot Books for the opportunity to preview this important story. The opinions expressed are my own.

Nour’s Secret Library is a children’s book about a young girl and her cousin during the Syrian Civil War. They make a secret library in an abandoned building. This story is based on true events as well.

This was a great story that highlights the Syrian Civil War and the importance of books. I loved the story and the illustrations. I also liked the authors note and the real story in the back as well.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Barefoot Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This beautiful story book is based on a true story set in the town of Daraya near Damascus when the children of the town gathered together books over a four year period creating a library - a place of peace and salvation
This book tells the story of Nour and Amir who create a secret library for young and old; hidden in a cellar, books are saved and salvaged and stored for everyone to read.

Vali Mintzi’s illustrations are wonderfully emotive and the prose- albeit short - simply captures the power of the children’s intentions and achievement

This is a perfect book for lower Ks 2 to open minds and awareness to the tragedy of the Syrian War but also to show that amidst tragedy amazing things can take place; it will also shine a light on how books and stories can bring joy and escapism in times of adversity and we should all know and appreciate how lucky we are to have the books around us when so many don’t

A small book with a powerful message and one I’ll be recommending to colleagues and friends