Suuban's First Day

In the Somali desert, Suuban eagerly awaits the day she can herd the goats by herself. But her grandmother won’t allow her into the wilderness until her two front teeth fall out.

Patiently, Suuban waits and waits…until she can’t wait anymore! After some creative thinking and a head bump from a goat, Suuban is ready to prove she can herd the animals across the desert safely. But between sneaky foxes and stalking lions, will Suuban learn the resilience she needs to protect her goats from harm?

Shugri Salh crafts a joyful celebration of the Somali people and their nomadic lifestyle in a relatable tale of self-reliance, courage, and the beauty of nature.

Author Biography

Shugri Salh is author of the memoir The Last Nomad and a supporting actor in the Apple TV+ “Little America” episode set in an immigrant Somali community. She was born in Somalia and spent her early years living with her grandmother in the desert as a nomad. After the civil war broke out in her home country, she emigrated to North America. She attended nursing school at Pacific Union College and graduated with honors. When she isn’t writing or telling stories, she works as a nurse. Shugri Salh lives in San Diego with her husband and three children.

Àlàbá Ònájìn is a graphic novelist and illustrator from Lagos, Nigeria where he lives with his family. He was chosen as one of the artists for the UNESCO Women in African History project. He is the author-illustrator of Waaa Waaa Goes Tawá and Suuban’s First Day.