MY OLIVE TREE

Hazar Elbayya narrates her picture book, bringing alive the emotions of a powerful story that speaks of war, hope, community, and resilience. In the opening, Elbayya expresses the tenderness between young Salaam and her grandfather, who teaches her the specialness of olive trees: their deep roots in the land and their ability to connect everyone. Elbayya's neutral tone reflects a girl's commonplace experience of growing a tree. Then, abruptly, her voice tenses as she describes soldiers who destroy everything. At the end, joy fills her narration as the community replants olive trees that will "grow back stronger." Background music is well chosen to highlight events. The author's note describes growing up amid olive trees, symbols of the strong spirit of the Palestinian people and their desire for peace. S.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2025]