Musa and his sister travel to a Zanzibar beach in a shared minibus which, despite Musa's protests, gets loaded with everything from a man and his bicycle to ten swimmers. The dala dala rumbles and roars as Musa and Dada drive off to the shore—but the bus stops for multiple detours: “Do you need a ride? It’s hotter than peppers out there in the sun! Come in, there’s room for everyone!” One stop becomes two stops which soon becomes ten, and Musa wonders when it will end: “How can any more people get in? We’re already smushed like sardines in a tin!” But there's always room for one more, if you make the room, which is the heartwarming take-away from this bouncy, joyous tale in rhyme.
Based on a “fantastically fun daladala ride”, author Naaz Khan brings us a bit of fun from her very own experience. Naaz comes to the Busboys screen to read us this East African journey toward a global sense of compassion and inclusion, and tell us all about the trip that inspired it afterwards! Grab your own copy from Bookshop.org to follow along at home!
Praise for ROOM FOR EVERYONE
“The zippy anapestical rhymes are laced with dramatic emphasis (playfully signaled by the font) and touches of repetition as well as the entertaining cumulation. A fresh and gorgeous outing all its own, eminently suitable to get giggles from kids doing their own complaining about close quarters.”
– BCCB *STARRED REVIEW*, September 1, 2021
“This irrepressible story in verse by newcomer Khan is simultaneously a counting book and a study in generosity of spirit. López (I Am Smoke) brings bright color, fine draftsmanship, and communal warmth to jovially packed spreads. Even the characters’ robes and the attractive chaos of the things they carry are captured with care in this affirming portrait set in East Africa.”
– Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW*, August 30, 2021
“Room for Everyone is an entertaining and bighearted joyride of a picture book that features fabulous illustrations by Mercè López… The bus and Khan’s pleasing prose bounce along rhythmically. The text is full of satisfying alliteration, flowing dialogue and rhyming couplets that are a delight to read aloud... López’s delicate, fine-lined drawings are expressive and dynamic, filled with movement and momentum.
– BookPage *STARRED*, October 25, 2021
This event is free and open to all, accessible through our Facebook and Youtube pages (@busboysandpoets).
The program will begin at 4:30PM with an introduction from a member of our team. There will be time for Q&A before the end of the program. Copies of ROOM FOR EVERYONE are available for purchase on bookshop.org
We recommend that viewers RSVP in order to receive direct links and updates from Busboys and Poets Books.
Author Bio
Naaz Khan is an educator and author with a background in refugee resettlement. Her first picture book, Room For Everyone, was published in November of 2021, and listed as one of the Best Picture Books of the year by Kirkus Reviews, and Smithsonian Magazine. It also received Starred Reviews from Kirkus, Hornbook, Publishers Weekly, BookPage and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. She currently works as an education coordinator at An Open Book Foundation, a DC based literacy organization which connects students with authors, illustrators and books. In addition to writing, Naaz makes room for wandering, wondering, hiking, and learning how to play the ukulele. You can learn more about her and her book at naazkhan.org
