The representation of this book is top-notch. The illustrations are gorgeous, although to better match my students I wish that Sumaya were portrayed with slightly darker skin. The writing is a bit dry and super informative. However, this is such a great idea for a book featuring a Somali-American girl that I will add it to my library. I have a group of girls who are always checking out the Saddiq books and they will be thrilled to have a female Somali-American main character.

I think this should be in elementary school libraries throughout the US. The STEM representation is also great!

Thank you to Net Galley, Capstone, and Picture Window Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

It is a picture book—a short and simple read. The story is about Sumaya, an 8-year-old immigrant girl from Somalia, who discovers a woodpecker in her backyard. Concerned that the woodpecker might hurt its head and neck by pecking the wood, she tries to come up with ways to help it. Sumaya learns fascinating facts about woodpeckers and their behaviour.
The story highlights how children are naturally curious about their surroundings and capable of creative problem-solving. The book has STEM references which makes it both educational and engaging.
I enjoyed reading it—it’s perfect for children to learn about woodpeckers and nature. The cute illustrations added to the charm of the book. I also learned a few Somali words. I’m looking forward to seeing what other problems Sumaya solves in future books.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me the ARC of this book.

#SumayaSolvestheWoodpeckerProblem #NetGalley

One of four titles to launch this series, this has a young Somalian-American girl spot a woodpecker, and then decide the bird is doing itself an injury – she then starts to work on protective headgear for the bird. Three very speedily-read chapters (well, for anyone older than the target reader they're speedy) give us the tale, and we then get more facts about the woodpecker, a glossary and revision quiz. A lot is here that will tick boxes – representation of immigrant communities, and of STEM-minded females, a nature lesson – but it might not be the best example of its kind it could have been. That said, I quite liked the way the story revolved around a lass trying to solve a non-problem – that had a lot more realism than the books that declare they can change the world in a few pages! Three and a half thoroughly inoffensive stars.

This is a great book for readers just starting to read chapter books. This book's greatness is due to a few factors:
1. Creativity. Sumaya and her story definitely encourage kids to be creative and think outside the box when they are faced with a challenge or problem. This is a great skill for young readers to learn!
2. STEM core. It fills me with pure joy to see a fresh book written about a girl of color in STEM. This will no doubt be inspiring and empowering to young readers everywhere, whether they can relate to Sumaya or not.
3. Illustrations. The illustrations were simple enough to the point where they didn't overshadow the writing or story, but they were also bright, fun, and detailed at the same time. It's impressive how the illustrator found the perfect balance of characteristics in each and every image - bravo!
4. Story. The story was a good length, unique, and made sense. These characteristics worked together and allowed everything to come full-circle.
Awesome book!

I love the problem solving skills modeled in this book! It is something so necessary for kids to read and learn about. I also loved the help from her family and how they didn't just give her the answers, but helped her come to the conclusions on her own.

Great story, great illustrations, and info in the back! I will recommend for purchase.

Thank you for the eARC!

Sumaya and her family moved from Somalia to the US. She hears tapping in the backyard and goes to investigate. Sumaya finds a woodpecker pecking a tree. She is worried that the woodpecker is going to hurt itself pecking the tree. She devices a something to protect the woodpeckers beak and head. Her parents assure her the woodpecker’s body is designed for pecking trees.

This was an enjoyable story. I love learning about woodpeckers. I loved the diverse family too. The book contained a glossary, questions to think about and more information about woodpeckers. I know readers are going to love all this and enjoy the colored illustrations in a beginning chapter book.

This was a cute picture book of Sumaya trying to figure out solution to a problem of this woodpecker in her backyard! She thinks the woodpecker is gonna hurt its head and beak from all the pecking on the wood it’s doing! Such a cute little story! Sumaya had such determination and dedication to her work to prove that this solution would work! It very educational with the questions at the end of the book too!

This was a truly beautiful book with a gentle, heartwarming story. I particularly appreciate books that foster a love for nature and animals in this way. While it contains useful and accurate information, I felt it was a bit too simplistic at times. Children are capable of understanding more complex ideas, and for those already in close connection with nature, some parts may come across as slightly childish or even boring. Especially in the question-and-answer sections at the end of the book, children gain new and interesting knowledge, but unfortunately, there are no illustrations to accompany these sections.

A solid 34 page early reader chapter book that features STEM concepts and an OWN voice Somali family. The story focuses around a woodpecker in the families Minnesota yard. Sumaya observes, asks questions and tries to solve a problem. As she comes up with a solution, she learns that nature has already given the woodpecker all it needs, she, and the reader, also learn that there are woodpeckers in Somalia, where her family is from, and other places in the world as well.

The book starts with Sumaya introducing her self and her family and their names. The short chapters, bright beautiful illustrations, and interesting storylines are hopefully the start of another great Capstone series featuring a visibly Muslim Somali character (thinking of the Sadiq series by Siman Nuurali).

There is no religion in the text, Hooyo and Sumaya though, do wear hijab.

I loved this so much! Sumaya has moved with her family from Somalia and hasn't encountered woodpeckers before. She grows worried that the constant pecking will harm the poor bird, and she works on a way to protect the woodpecker from harm. Her family tells her that the birds are designed with their own protections, but it was beautiful to watch how a curious 8-year-old worked to try to help. There is also a section with more information about woodpeckers that was pretty interesting. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this cute picture book

I received an electronic ARC from Capstone through NetGalley.
Sumaya is an eight year old girl who lives in the United States. Her family moved there from Somalia. The book begins by sharing this information along with a map showing how far they traveled. Once readers meet Sumaya and her family (including a glossary to pronounce their names), the story unfolds from there. She hears a noise and investigates in their backyard. She sees a bird and asks her family for help identifying it. I love the way they interact with each other and share information. Sumaya is concerned about the woodpecker's beak and head so uses her problem solving skills to design solutions for both areas. Readers see her family connect again as her parents explain that woodpeckers are already protected by special skull and neck muscles and beak design.
I appreciate how Ahmed weaves science through the story and captures the joy of learning for Sumaya. Looking forward to more adventures.

Sumaya is from Somalia, and she is adjusting to her new life. She wonders if woodpeckers are found everywhere! She hatches a plan to find out how they behave. Questions and glossary are found at the end.

It is a great book demonstrating diversity and inclusion. It gives readers background knowledge on Sumaya and also educates the audience on woodpeckers.

Sumaya Solves the Woodpecker Problem is an excellent book for young readers who are curious about the world around them.

The main character, Sumaya, is a young Somalian girl who becomes concerned for a woodpecker's well-being after seeing the bird pecking at a tree. She comes up with a plan to help protect the woodpecker's head and beak from damage by providing it with some safety gear. In addition to learning about woodpeckers, readers also have the opportunity to meet hijabi characters and learn a bit about Somalian culture, including a few useful Somalian words.

I thought the artwork in this book was vibrant and really appealing, and I'm confident children will enjoy it, too.

I thought that this book was great.

The story is well written and it has a nice flow to the story - it is easy to read and you learn too about Woodpeckers and how they drum, why they drum, what they eat and how their brain and skull is protected when they do this - so not only do you get a good story you learn too!

The book also has some great illustrations that bring the story to life.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

I have recently started searching for unique books for my young niece as she grows up and learns more about the world, and I was delighted to come across Sumaya Solves the Woodpecker Problem. Sumaya's curiosity shines in this heartwarming story about protecting nature! Kids, including my niece, will love following her problem-solving journey, learning about woodpeckers, and exploring early-age STEM concepts in a fun, relatable way. The vibrant illustrations make the story even more engaging, and the "Q&A" and "Think About the Story" sections at the end add a great educational touch. Sumaya is a wonderful role model for young readers, showing that big ideas can come from anyone, no matter their age! A delightful read for curious minds!

What an amazing illustrious book. Its a perfect blend of learning and Fun reading. A perfect bedtime and after homework read for a 6-8 year Olds. I am definitely gifting this to my 8 year old nephew.

What I love is the thoughtful helmet sumaya prepared for the woodpecker so that it doesn't hurt it's head. I also love how at the end the glossary of the words are given for educational purposes for the kids reading it and also for the parents to help the kids understand.

Overall it's very engaging and Fun short read. Treat your kids by gifting them the joy of thoughtful read with a blend of learning. Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This gorgeously illustrated picture book follows Sumaya as she attempts to invent a device to help woodpeckers. While I adored the illustrations and cultural influences in this book, I do think it fell a little short as a “STEM” book. As an engineer, I do love the learnings that sometimes things are fine as designed but it felt a bit anticlimactic to have her observations lead to dropping her efforts. I am excited to see what adventures Samaya goes on next though!

Amazing book with gorgeous illustrations!

The kids will get to learn about woodpeckers as Sumaya and her toddler brother learns about them from their parents. They get to see a woodpecker in real and our curious Sumaya sets her mission to learn what she can from what she observes, from adults around her and from the books available.

Such an awesome book for children. I really appreciate the Q & A towards the end of the book. Love the cover too!

Thank you, Capstone, for the ARC.