Hilwa's Gifts Selected for 2026 ALSC Notable Children's Booklist

Alf Mobruk, Safa Suleiman!

Join us in congratulating KLS member, Safa Suleiman, on the selection of her debut picture book, Hilwa’s Gifts, for the 2026 ALSC Notable Children’s Books List!

Hilwa’s Gifts. By Safa Suleiman. Illus. by Anait Semirdzhyan. Candlewick Press, $18.99 (9781536229424)

Ali visits his grandparents in Palestine and learns from them and Hilwa, the beloved ancient olive tree planted long ago. Illustrations in a gentle, earth-toned palette celebrate family, tradition, culture, and the tree whose gifts keep giving from generation to generation.

About the award

Each year a committee of ALSC identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.