A Muslim Family's Chair for the Pope

A True Story from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Written & illustrated by Stefan Salinas

In the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Catholics have been living side by side for many years, but they have not always gotten along. Twenty years have passed since they were at war with each other. How can neighbors of different faiths live together in peace?
Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, paid a visit to Bosnia on June 6, 2015. This is the true story of a Muslim family of carpenters who designed and made a chair in honor of this occasion.
This book is for children, parents, grandparents… for everyone!

Available for purchase online internationally, and able to be ordered from many brick-and-mortar bookstores.

(If on AMAZON, check for the best New book price, as sometimes they first list an increased amount)

 

Music: "Love People" by Mirko Šenkovski Geronimo & Ismar Poric, performed by Superar Srebrenica. www.superar.eu  Actors: Jacob & Jessica Lei & the author.

 

  • © 2017 art and text by Stefan Salinas

  • Age Range: 6 - 12 years (& for older siblings, parents and grandparents!)

  • Format: Hardcover, 50 pages Size: 8"x 0.25”x 10"

  • Publisher: Camelopardalis

  • Language: English

  • ISBN: 978-998608808

  • Library of Congress Control Number: 2017900563

  • Artwork: Color pencil, ink and acrylic on paper (Neenah Environment Desert Storm).

  • Text Fonts: Georgia, Adobe Arabic and Century Schoolbook.

Some Reviews:

“Written from the perspective of Salim Hajderovac, the cheerful and humble carpenter, this book is a wonderful story about interreligious teamwork… Within the context of a true story, children will learn a few basic truths about Catholicism and Islam.”
- Regina Lordan, Catholic News Service

"There is no vague, lowest-common-denominator kumbaya in this book... Salinas’s book helps to provide such a point of entry for discussing interfaith relations with children. Perhaps most importantly, the Muslim and Catholic characters in the book live out their faith lives joyfully."

- Jenifer S. Bryson, Ph.D., Public Discourse, The Witherspoon Institute

"Salinas’ color pencil, ink, and acrylic illustrations are expressive and communicate much of the text well… A heartfelt story that simply conveys the importance of positive interfaith relations.”
- Gloria Koster, School Library Journal

“This book is important in the difficult times that have befallen us all.”
- Malden Obrenovic, Al Jazeera Balkans

“…to help readers – children and the adults who may read it to them – appreciate people of other cultures and faiths instead of fear them."
- Christina Gray, Catholic San Francisco