The Sweetest of Lemons

From Printz Medalist Daniel Nayeri, 'The Sweetest of Lemons' is a poignant picture book that weaves together a contemporary family story with a classic fairy tale. A young boy travels with his family across a hot desert to visit his grandfather at an oasis. During their visit, the grandfather shares an enchanting story about three brothers, a princess, dangerous giants, and a quest for a magical lemon said to cure sadness. The book beautifully explores themes of family connection, the power of storytelling, and finding joy. Rahele Jhompeur Bell's illustrations are a highlight, featuring two distinct styles: one inspired by Persian miniatures for the inner tale and another richly textured style for the contemporary framing story.

Printz Medalist and Newbery Honor winner Daniel Nayeri crafts this beautiful paean to storytelling and the bonds of family. Based on powerful memories of Nayeri visiting his grandfather, this story-within-a-story brings a young boy in a hot car ride across the desert. The destination is an oasis, where gardens perfume the air, and tales are lovingly told. Here is the gate to a magical world full of princesses, valiant brothers, dangerous giants, and one perfect, enchanted lemon. Will any of the brothers be able to foil the giant, retrieve the lemon, and free the princess? In the warm embrace of Nayeri's storytelling, readers will lean into the enchantment until the story's end. Rahele Jhompeur Bell creates the two gorgeous visual strands of the tale-one inspired by the frames and jewel-like colors of Persian miniatures, the other a tender, richly textured rendering of a contemporary family. Together, the author and artist cast a delicious spell that, like the singular lemon at the heart of the story, is so sweet it can cure sadness itself.