Creator Conversations: Leila Boukarim & Ruaida Mannaa talk Sundays Are For Feasts

When it comes to picture books, collaboration is everything, and we're always thrilled to have both the author and illustrator of one of our featured titles in conversation, and to learn more about the what went into their book.

Today, we have acclaimed author Leila Boukarim and award-winning illustrator Ruaida Mannaa together in a special KidLit Convo, where they discuss Sundays Are for Feasts (Groundwood Books). This is the story of Yasmine, who visits her family in Lebanon every summer and sees her family each Sunday for lunch, but has been tasked with making the hummus this particular summer Sunday. 

As Yasmine tries to make the dish as faithfully as she can, she frets over whether it will satisfy some of her relatives. But, with help from Baba and the noble aim of bringing family together around traditional food, Yasmine puts her own unique touch on the meal. 

Without further ado, here are the creators of this fabulous picture book, with keen insights into the story and how it came together.

Ruaida Mannaa:

How do you view the elements we each contributed as working with each other in the final version?

Leila Boukarim:

I couldn’t have asked for a better partner for this book – truly. What I love most about the world Ruaida illustrated is that not only did she capture the feelings of joy and warmth I had when I visited my grandparents’ home in the summers, but also the open-armed hospitality I felt in any Lebanese home we visited, no matter how different from ours. Customs and traditions and recipes may vary from family to family, from region to region, but some things are always the same – the love and enthusiasm with which you are received. It’s that essence that Ruaida so masterfully captured. She took a story and turned it into memories, love, longing, and home. 

RM:

Do you relate to any of the characters in the book? If so, who and in what ways?

LB:

I absolutely do, and not only with Yasmine, the protagonist of our story, but also in Baba, in Mama, and even in Amo Farouk. Yasmine is very much inspired by little me, living between worlds, between cultures, between languages, never really feeling like I belonged anywhere, and always trying to prove, to others, but mostly to myself, that I did. But Yasmine is also very much inspired by my own kids, who have already lived in three different countries, and who can’t visit Lebanon as often as they’d like. Much like Baba and Mama, I try to keep them connected to their roots, by talking about our history and family stories, by playing Lebanese music and singing along, and by preparing our foods, some of which take us straight back home and ground us in our land with one whiff, one taste (like zaatar, olives, and olive oil). As I grow older (and grumpier, ha!) my inner Amo Farouk shines brighter and brighter. We all have that uncle, that aunt, that grandma, someone we know is kindhearted but is difficult to read because of their outer shell that hardens with every injustice, every war, every avoidable tragedy. As a child, these characters used to intimidate me, but they have become some of my favorite people in the world because I now understand just how beautifully sensitive they are.  

RM:

What do you hope young readers will take away from our book?

LB:

I would love young (and not so young) readers who are living between worlds to feel seen and understood, to know that it can be a beautiful and enriching experience; but mostly, I hope they will see that they don’t need to prove anything to anyone, that they are perfect just the way they are. And as a Lebanese person who grew up never seeing people like myself in my books, and who raised two kids who also rarely saw themselves in theirs, I hope that Sundays Are for Feasts can feel like a hug to Lebanese children everywhere. To those children, to Arab children, I want to say – write your stories, draw them, sing them, dance them, cook them, share them in any and every way you know how. The world desperately needs them.

LB:

What was the strangest or most memorable part of creating this book for you?

RM:

Leila and I started exchanging messages on Instagram and discovered many things we shared in common. A very special memory was learning that we both have olive branch tattoos, each symbolizing a deep connection to our family and cultural heritage. The olive branch represents peace, resilience, and the deep roots of our Lebanese ancestry. This sparked a reflection on the shared experiences of Lebanese immigrants. No matter where life has taken us, there's an unspoken bond in the traditions, values, and stories that echo through generations.

LB:

What are the best, and the toughest, parts of collaborating on books in your opinion?

RM:

As an illustrator, the best part is getting to know a story through the lens of the author. Leila painted a beautiful memory that many Arab children will deeply empathize with. I love that I also get to interpret the story in my own way, weaving in details that extend beyond the text, like little picture frames on the walls filled with Easter eggs, adding layers of meaning to the visuals.

The toughest part is honoring a story that holds so much personal and cultural significance to an author. It’s always a challenge to approach such stories with care, respect, and understanding. But it’s also incredibly rewarding when the author’s vision and the illustrator’s perspective align to create something beautiful.

LB:

Is there anything you want to tell me about your experience working on this book?

RM:

I'm just incredibly honored that you trusted me to draw this story. I was excited from the moment I first read the manuscript, it resonated so deeply with my own experience growing up. 

I am so grateful that you wrote this heartfelt celebration of our beautiful culture and traditions. It made me feel the delights of making hummus, the warmth of gathering around a table with loved ones, and the pride in our identity. It’s a reminder that even when we live far away we are always Lebanese. Our heritage is a bridge that ties us to each other. Thank you for allowing me to help bring your story to life!

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Leila Boukarim is a children's book author and freelance editor. Her recent books include the picture book Lost Words: An Armenian Story of Survival and Hope, illustrated by Sona Avedikian; and the graphic novel Zips and Eeloo Make Hummus, illustrated by Alex Lopez. She was born in Lebanon, raised in several countries and now lives in Berlin, Germany.

Ruaida Mannaa is a Colombian/Lebanese illustrator and designer who lives in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her work has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, and been awarded by 3X3 Magazine, Applied Arts, Latin American Illustration, and the Bienal de Ilustración.