It's Ramadan, a time to focus on good deeds and to fast, and Badir and his brother, Anis, are out for a walk one evening while they wait for their iftar meal.

In the park Badir sees a rat. A very, very large rat. He soon learns it’s actually a beaver, an animal that doesn't live in Tunisia, the country Badir and his family have emigrated from. It turns out that some of the neighbors who enjoy the park think this beaver is a bit of a pest, but Badir thinks it's wonderful and learns everything he can about the iconic Canadian animal. When a petition is started to remove the beaver, Badir, who knows firsthand how difficult it is to leave your home behind, rallies his classmates to save it. And with a little help from new friends, the kids learn that collaboration and faith can change the way we think about the world.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Shannon Stewart is the author of Sea Crow (Orca, 2004), Alphabad: An Alphabet Book for Wicked Children! (Key Porter Books 2005) and Captain Jake (Orca, 2008). She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. Shannon lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and two children in a cottage by the sea where she sometimes spots young pirates digging for treasure.

Shannon Stewart's profile page

Sabrina Gendron's profile page

Christian Down is a producer, musician and voice actor from Victoria, British Columbia.

Christian Down's profile page

• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards
• Commended, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award Honor Book
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

“This was a wonderful early chapter book and the characters solved a realistic problem in a natural way.”

Youth Services Book Review

"Badir's boisterous personality and good nature make him a fun character to follow, and his family's observance of Ramadan adds an extra layer of interest to the story. This upbeat early chapter book is engagingly illustrated, filled with beaver facts, and delivers a positive message about protecting the environment."

Booklist

&quotThe story empowers children to make a difference in their communities and promotes females in science…A versatile book that is enjoyable and can be used for multiple educational purposes.&quot

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

★ "With her gentle tale, Stewart does an excellent job at promoting cultural understanding…A beautifully written page-turner about belonging."

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Teachers can use this book to introduce Canada’s national symbol, the beaver and to discuss multiculturalism and the environment.”

Resource Links