Ali is visiting his family in Palestine during the olive harvest and is startled by the whacking of the trees, especially his favorite tree, Hilwa. His grandfather Seedo reassures him that the whacking doesn't harm the trees. "We would never hurt olive trees, habibi," Seedo tells him. "Their gifts are too precious." Soon Ali joins his grandparents and his cousins in singing and dancing and harvesting olives--just a gentle whack is all it takes for the tree to rain down its fruit. After that the olives are taken to the press and made into delicious oil. But Hilwa's gifts don't end there.
"Combining a centuries-old practice with the story about a Palestinian family and their relationship to the land make Hilwa’s Gifts an absolute treasure." --Booklist Starred Review
"Harvest season deepens feelings of connection in a work that highlights olive trees' enduring role in Palestinian culture. . . A variety of framing choices keep the visual pacing lively, leading to an intergenerational family picnic that, amid the bounty, proves "the greatest gift." --Publisher's Weekly
"This is a quietly buoyant story about family, food, and tradition, and the ending is especially heartwarming. . . Delicate linework and soft, watercolor-like dappling give the book an overall cozy feel, and the earthy tones are well suited to the breezy, warm setting. Pair with Odeh’s A Map for Falasteen (BCCB 10/24) for a celebration of Palestinian culture and how traditions can bring a family closer despite geographical distance." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Suleiman’s happy childhood memories come alive in this heartwarming story of tradition passed down through generations. Semirdzhyan’s earth-toned, digitally created illustrations capture the family affair that is the olive season. . . An authentic and heartfelt celebration of family and nature. --Kirkus Reviews
"A gentle story about intergenerational bonds and the significance of olive trees to Palestinians as both sustenance and a metaphor representing closeness to the land." —The Horn Book