These Olive Trees

Oraib and her family live in a refugee camp, having been forcibly removed from their homes during the Nakba or 'catastrophe'. Life is hard for the family, but despite this there are moments of happiness among the hardship.

The story in this subtle and thoughtful picture book parallels the growth, curing and brining of the olives. There’s an admirable approach to using all aspects of the olive, and wasting nothing, in a metaphor, which helps make a convoluted subject accessible without ever feeling simplistic. Likewise, there are some thoughtful ideas around borrowing rather than owning land.

An author’s note provides context around the historical situation in Palestine and the olive tree as a symbol of hope.