The Cat Man of Aleppo

 

Penguin Random House

(pub. 4.14.2020) 
40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top  

A uthor: 

Karim Shamsi-Basha and Irene Latham
       and illustrator:  Yuko Shimizu

 
C haracter: Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel

O verview:        

 

"The  courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats...

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe."

ABOUT THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats.

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

ABOUT THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats.

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

ABOUT THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats.

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

T antalizing taste:

     "Alaa loves his city of Aleppo. He loves its narrow alleys and covered bazaars selling  pistachios, jasmine soap and green za'atar. He loves the boiled corn and dried figs offered on the street. Most of all, he loves the people of Aleppo. They are gentle, polite, and loving - like him.

     Even when war comes to Aleppo, Alaa doesn't flee like so many others. 

    He continues his work as an ambulance driver. He swerves through rubbled streets and carries the wounded to safety. He comforts and holds them. Alaa has a big heart."

And something more: In A Note from Karim at the back of  the book, the co-author explains "My heart breaks for my country. I grew up in  Damascus and remember going to college in Aleppo in 1983, one of the most beautiful cities I had ever seen. Rich in history and culture, Aleppo harkens back to the early days of humanity, competing with Damascus for the title of Oldest Continuously Inhabited City on Earth. Unfortunately, the current war has destroyed many of Aleppo's historic treasures. It has also caused millions of people to become refugees, and thousands of animals to become homeless... It has been my honor to speak numerous times with Alaa ... over the course of writing this book. His work now includes an orphanage for  children left parentless from the war... His story is a tale we can all learn from, to hopefully become more compassionate human beings."