Swimming on the Lawn

Told through the eyes of Farida, as well as her inquisitive siblings, this is a beautiful story about growing up in Sudan. Sudanese culture and customs are brought to life, from the ubiquitous tea service and hearty breakfasts to the commemoration of Muslim holidays and the rites of birth and death. But a happy childhood spent in the capital and the rural villages of 1960s Sudan ends startlingly with a sudden military coup that changes the make-up of Farida’s family forever. Told in short, standalone chapters in direct and unadorned prose, the book is perfect for teachers to use as excerpts in the classroom.

Yasmin Hamid grew up in East Africa with her siblings, English mother, and Sudanese father. She loves reading and has been in the same book club group for almost 25 years. She is happily married and has lived in Western Australia since 1988. This is her first novel for children.