The Camel with Books

Content : A beautiful story dealing with a real subject for today’s children in a kind and humorous way.

For many years, Laila and her camel Timur have been bringing books to the children living in yurts in the middle of the Gobi desert. Each village welcomes them with joy. But this time, Laila does not linger. She promised her little sister Aïko that she would be there for her birthday this year.

Unfortunately, they are attacked by wolves on the way. Laila is injured. Timur goes off to get help, even though he is injured himself. He reaches Laila's village, but the men are defeatist and think that she is already dead. Even Laila's father refuses to go to her aid: she has disgraced the village by travelling alone to distribute books. She should have stayed, married and had children. Because of these books, young people ask themselves too many questions and leave the village to discover the world. Aïko, disappointed by the adults who do nothing, decides to set off on her own in search of Laila, following the books Timur has left behind. But as she nears her goal, a storm breaks...

A story that values books and reading, with an important message on the emancipation of girls.

About the author/illustrator:
Born in 1977, Emmanuelle Halgand lives and works in Rouen, Normandy.
She is currently working on several books, as well as a doctorate on the mediation of children's books through images. This is her second title with Des Ronds dans l’O publishing, as she illustrated The Blue Female Bear.