The Roses in My Carpets

by Rukhsana Khan, Ronald Himler (Illustrator )

For a young refugee living with loss and terror-filled memories, time is measured by the next bucket of water, the next portion of bread, and the next call to prayer. Here, where everything - walls, floor, courtyard - is mud, a boy's heart can still long for freedom, independence, and safety. And here, where life is terribly fragile, the strength to endure grows out of need. But the strength to dreams comes from within.

Genres: Picture Books, War, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Refugee, Family, Emotional

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, the book title of The Roses in My Carpets for Pakistani-Canadian author Rukhsana Khan's 1998 interesting but also rather bleak and ultra-realistic picture book of an Afghani refugee family (a widowed mother and her two children) might at first glance seem rather flowery and overly sweet (and with no pun actually being intended here). But no, no, no indeed, there is in fact nothing even remotely saccharine and overly sweet to be encountered either in Khan's text or in Ronald Himler's accompanying artwork, and with the first page of The Roses in My Carpets actually and almost luridly describing both verbally and visually the first person narrator’s (a tween boy who remains anonymous) recurring nightmare and memory of an attack by fighter bombers on his family in Afghanistan (which killed his father as he was ploughing his fields) and that our narrator, his mother and his younger sister Maha are now wartime refugees eking out a bare minimum type of existence in a very primitive camp, where everything is dusty, where everyone lives in mud shanties and where the only available food seems to be a bit of bread that has to be divided into small portions for the family to share (dipped into a bit of tea or water and that water also needs to be hauled in from a communal well) and where school is equally something the young boy, the narrator totally despises (and which does not actually surprise me in The Roses in My Carpets, as both Rukhsana Khan's words and Himler's illustrations for and to me show that the refugee camp's school is not really educating but is simply keeping the camp's children controlled and out of the way, having them recite from rote but that the teachers are not actually making the students be learning anything of significance and in any way essential).

And The Roses in my Carpets demonstrates that pretty much the only activity to yield a tiny bit of joy for the narrator is learning to weave carpets, a skill made possible by a foreign sponsor and which also may in the future save the boy, his mother and his younger sister from a life of poverty if and hopefully when the young weaving student can become a master carpet-weaver and profitably sell his rugs, but which is then kind of called into question when Maha, when the narrator's little sister is hit by a truck and her legs are broken, something that at first might seem like a bit of piling tragedy upon tragedy, but considering that The Roses in My Carpets repeatedly points out how fast and how reckless people are driving in and through the camp indeed more like a scenario rather waiting to happen (with the roses of the book title referring to the flowers the narrator weaves into his carpets to create some beauty in the midst of the camp's drab and painful squalor.)

So yes and in my opinion, The Roses in My Carpet provides a very good springboard for serious and educational discussions with children, with the so-called picture book crowd regarding war, refugees, survival, as well as cultural and religious differences (although I do think that The Roses in My Carpet might be a bit rough and uncomfortable for very young and also very sensitive children and that Rukhsana Khan equally should for one be providing supplemental information in The Roses in My Carpet about Afghanistan, the Taliban, that civilians are often both the unintended and sometimes unfortunately also the intended targets and victims of bombing raids and that for two, I would also like to see contact addresses for agencies that support and work with refugees being listed in The Roses in My Carpet). And with both Khan's words and also Ronald Himler's illustrations for The Roses in My Carpet not ever downplaying that life in a refugee camp tends to be pretty grimly harsh, that the refugees (even children) are saddled with all kinds of trauma and that accidents etc. often occur as well (albeit Maha being hit by that truck in The Roses in My Carpets does have a relatively positive outcome in so far that the operation to save her broken legs is successful and that Maha will equally once she has sufficiently healed be able to walk again), that with Himler's pictures for The Roses in My Carpets with their muted colours, blurred outlines and depictions of mostly sombre, unsmiling people reflecting and mirroring Rusksana Khan's textual sadness, the bright colours of the carpets and a final both pictorial and verbal message of positivity, this does make The Roses in My Carpets conclude with hopeful message of optimism for the future (for our young narrator, his mother and his sister, who in the final dream sequence of The Roses in My Carpets are both textually shown by Khan and illustratively by Roland Himler as joyfully running to stand on a gloriously rose-filled carpet where no more bombs, no trauma, no pain will able to reach and hurt them).

Four stars for the combination of text and images in The Roses in My Carpet but since I personally do think Rukhsana Khan not having an author's note is a huge educational shortcoming, sorry, I do have to lower star rating for The Roses in My Carpet to a high three stars.

[Shifa Safadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

@rukhsanakhan always moves me with her writing and this book is no exception!

Genre: Adv. Picture Book
Ages: 6-9
Available: Amazon

A boy grows up in a refugee camp. He is plagued with memories of the war, but he tries to move on with weaving carpets and supporting his mom and sister so they wont need to be sponsored anymore. With his father gone, he feels the need to step up and protect his family. But when a car accident puts his sister Maha in the hospital, the boy has to learn to accept help when it comes and dream of a hopeful future.

This book took my heart and wrenched it apart. For a boy who we never learn his name, he feels remarkably real! The details put together what it is like to be a refugee and to live in a camp and the book is teachable in any time.

Kids will learn empathy from this book and also realize that the boy in the refugee camp is not that different from them. He has loving relationships in his life and a desire to support himself and his family.

A beautiful emotional story full of many lessons.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don’t know what to make of this book. I actually went and looked up the suggested age range for this book and it’s 5 to 8. The story length and the fact that it’s a picture book certainly seem to make it geared to early elementary school children. However, this is a book about the real ramifications of a real war in Afghanistan, and the concepts seem to be those best presented to older children and adults. I wouldn’t think (at least an American) five or six year old would be that enamored of this story.

It’s a lovely premise that the roses the main character weaves into his carpets enable him to put the horrors of war out of his mind, and I suppose children could extrapolate and think of things that help them get through tough experiences. However, maybe it was my mood when I read it, but this is not the way I’d first introduce young children to the consequences of war, even though it does have a hopeful tone.

So, I felt the need to reread it a couple of times: post traumatic stress dreams, war related wounded child sibling vs. carpet weaving where the roses in the carpets supposedly transcend the reality of living in a war zone. Nope, not a fuzzy story and definitely not a fuzzy bedtime story for the young children I know, including those who’ve experienced trauma of various sorts, not unless they ask to either read it or listen to it read to them, and then I’d hope they’d talk about whatever feelings came up for them.

Maybe I’m missing the optimism but I did not find this to be a joyful story.

I liked it but I’m an adult and it’s definitely not written and illustrated with me in mind.

My rating makes only the eighth rating of this book on Goodreads and there’s only one other review. Unfortunately, it’s in a language in which I have no fluency and I’m unable to read it. I am curious to know others’ opinions about this book. I’m rather surprised by the high ratings, even though it’s a beautifully done book.

I want to disclose that I don’t have problems exposing kids to books that contain difficult subject matter, and also that I have been reading very grim books including ones about war and that I personally have very little patience with violence. Perhaps children exposed to violence first hand would find this book helpful.

[Janine Darragh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of picture books about refugees. This one felt almost TOO horrifying for young children- from the nightmares to the father's death to the sister getting hit by a car-- I realize these are realities for many children, but something about the blunt style made it a bit jarring to even me. I also have a little bit of trouble with the joy in the protagonist's life being connected to his financial "sponsor" ("Someone far away makes my training possible. I am a sponsored child. A foster child. They even took my picture") and the fact that the doctor appears to be a White Westerner. Just not my favorite.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a young refugee living with loss and terror-filled memories, time is measured by the next bucket of water, the next portion of bread, and the next call to prayer. Here, where everything - walls, floor, courtyard - is mud, a boy's heart can still long for freedom, independence, and safety. And here, where life is terribly fragile, the strength to endure grows out of need. But the strength to dreams comes from within.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully told and illustrated, this book is a book about triumph and family and caring. This book is told from the eyes of a young boy who is a refugee of war. He deals with many issues and you can see his quiet strength and courage. There is so much he faces and you see as things shift some in his mind. I recommend reading it ahead of reading it to your child so you can be prepared to discuss the things they may have questions about.

[Laura DeGrave · Rating 3 out of 5]

War torn refugees suffering to survive and eek out an existence through the strife of living.
A young boy becomes a sponsor child to learn a trade and prays he will be capable to support his surviving family.
He finds comfort in the vibrant colors of textile, losing himself in a sea of roses.
***Warning
This book is a serious read, addressing heavy situations.
It may upset some readers.
Others may appreciate more of what they have in their lives.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations make it seem dated but the story is still extremely relevant. It's an important book about one boy's experience as a refugee from Afghanistan. I'll be sharing it with my daughter when she's a little older than her current 6 years.

[Jo-Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a good picture book relating to sponsored refugee children, this is a great read. Made me tear up especially when there are millions of children who live like this everyday and most are not lucky to even be sponsored. Thank you author for a beautiful book.

[Charlene Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several times. By the author of Big Red Lollipop. True to life introduction to life for a young boy who is a refugee from Afghanistan. Heartbreaking, but appreciated. Engaging, made relatable for those of us with no true comprehension. Thank you.

[Laura Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a family in a refugee camp. Told with detailed descriptions that really drive home the difficulty of life in a camp and the struggles faced by the war torn.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rukhsana Khan's tender story of a refugee family tackles a tough subject with heart and warmth. Ronald Himler's realistic art takes you to dark places and back out again.

[Marzieh Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful

[Mari]

the most gorgeous cover..

[Julia Simpson-Urrutia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, which I purchased for a friend who is a third grade teacher. I loved the cover art and when I received the book, I thought everything about it was wonderfully done. The story is just right--not too long and not too short, neither too mild nor too grim. For those who say that this story is too harsh for eight years olds, I ask, how will children in safe environments understand what other children, from war-torn countries, have gone through. While it is a wonderful thing to preserve innocence, how do we explain to children whose lives are being blasted apart that we do not want to explain their trauma to their age group? Khan has chosen her words carefully and created a believable story line--very believable. Any one of us could verify it with a little Internet research. The little boy steps up to become the man of the house and care for his mother when she is in need. The roses in the carpets--perfect! We all can relate to the need for color when our lives are drab, and for those in dire situations, dirt, mud or sand are all they see. What touched me most was the protagonist's awareness of how his adoption through a charitable organization improved his life and gave him skills to make beauty and have hope for the future. This is the kind of book that needs to be in the classroom.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some story components that could be distressing for primary students; the father, an innocent farmer, killed in the war; innocent family forced to live in a refugee camp; school-aged boy forced to work to support his family. Even intermediate or middle school students might have a hard time, especially if they are from that part of the world (Middle East, Afghanistan). Many of my students are. The theme is uplifting though; a young boy (exact age unknown)works to support his family when his father is killed in the war; he is accepting support from a sponsor, but (breaking the stereotype of the helpless war victims) longs to be able to support his family by himself. The boy comes of age when his younger sister is severely injured and the mother turns to him for emotional support. Our Middle School students could benefit from thinking about becoming more mature (like the protagonist), because in their future they will be called upon to also support their parents.

[Rahmadiyanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tentang Kareem, penenun karpet. Sejak ayahnya tewas di Afghanistan, Kareem harus menggantikan posisi ayahnya tersebut, menjadi pelindung bagi ibu dan adiknya. Ia pun membawa ibu dan adiknya ke kamp pengungsi di Peshawar. Kareem dituntut menjadi dewasa. Dia harus menjadi laki-laki yang tak punya rasa takut seperti ayahnya. Bunga-bunga di karpet yang ia tenun lah yang memberi warna lain dalam hidupnya.

[Rose Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a family who lives in a refugee camp with bombings and tragedy. It also has death in it and maturing from a boy to a young, responsible adult. This is a sad book, but it explains the way this type of family lives. It may be helpful in history class about cultures, war, and refugees.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book that tells a thought provoking story about a young refugee's life: he weaves carpets in the afternoon, goes to school in the morning, looks out for his more and younger sister - father is dead. The beautiful parts are his description of how he escapes from the harsh reality while weaving carpets.

[Marissa Pezzullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sad book for me to read. I probably wouldn't read this to my classroom unless they were older. This is a book i would keep on a shelf for students to look at. The struggle is real when you are a refugee. For these children struggle to have adequate water a food supply is minimal.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sad for a children's book

[Ebony Hargett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would use this story for students who may have experienced moving and relocating. It can also be used as an opener for writing feelings and experiences into a story.

[Audry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little sad, but the boy is determined and kind.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story; Afghanistani boy, war, hope.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story tells the hardship of a boy. The pain he goes through everyday to live. I think this would work well for older kids.

[Autumn Morning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely WONDERFUL!! This book is especially helpful to build bridges between cultures. This is a great read, uplifting, and incredibly beautiful!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with the 7/8s and I think they enjoyed it. I would definitely read it again with that grade and possibly a little younger. No younger than grade 4 for sure.

[Christine Bland]

Coming from a war torn area to the relative safety of a refugee camp we find how a young boy lives his life with his mother and sister. His time is spent in daily activities of getting water, going to school and prayer. Meals consist of bread and water. The father had been killed in the war and the boy feels responsible to take on the duty of providing for the family. He finds he is skilled at weaving rugs and it comforts him and gives him peace. It is a truly inspiring and touching story.