On Feb. 6, 2025, author Danny Ramadan stopped by Glenwood School to read from his book Salma the Syrian Chef, which tells the story of a young Syrian girl and her family who have moved as refugees from their home country. 

Salma notices her mother having a hard time adjusting to their new surroundings and decides to make her a traditional salad to cheer her up. 

Ramadan engaged the students, stopping at several points throughout the book to discuss with the Grades 3 and 4 students what Salma is experiencing. As a Syrian-Canadian who left Syria as a refugee himself, Ramadan shared his intimate knowledge on the experience with the young students. 

“I really like writing these stories because it’s a story about refugees, but it doesn’t have tanks and wars and explosions. It’s focused on the small life this person is experiencing now as they’re growing up in a new environment,” Ramadan said. 

Ramadan said stories like this are important for students to hear.

“They are like doors and mirrors and windows. It’s a door for someone to explore more about who they are. It’s a mirror for someone to see themselves as well. And it’s a window for someone who’s outside this experience to be able to look in and understand it better,” he said.

Among the listeners were students who have had similar experiences to the character Salma. Students from various countries around the world, including a fellow Syrian-Canadian, stuck up their hands to talk about their favourite dishes from their family’s culture and more. 

“There’s something quite beautiful about being able to write something that children connect with,” Ramadan said. 

There are three other books in the Salma series, including Salma Makes a Home, Salma Writes a Book, and Salma Joins a Team. Two more books are scheduled to come out in the next two years. Ramadan is also the author of acclaimed adult books, notably The Clothesline Swing.