The Jasmine Sneeze

By Syrian author-illustrator Nadine Kaadan

Lantana Publishing, 2016.

The Jasmine Sneeze is inspired by the cultural heritage of Damascus, known as the City of Jasmine.

The story features a cat whose sleep is disturbed by the scent of jasmine, which makes him sneeze. Determined to get rid of the scent, he decides to cover the flowers with smelly fish and leftovers from his meals, as well as chicken bones from the butcher’s bin. But the Jasmine Spirit isn't about to let herself be pushed around and decides to teach him a lesson.

There is something fresh about the way Nadine Kaadan brings together humour, imagination and cultural heritage. The story draws on the city's close relationship with jasmine and the stories and beliefs surrounding the flower. The author shares how, growing up, she heard from her mother that jasmine could reflect what was happening in the homes and lives of people in Damascus, sometimes even anticipating events to come.

The choice of a cat as the main character feels particularly familiar from an Algerian perspective. Cats are part of everyday life, from city streets to rural areas and family homes. Some seem so relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings that you might think they own the place. There is something really enjoyable about seeing such a familiar animal take centre stage in a story.

The illustrations create a timeless world through their patterns, colours and abstract spaces. Recognisable details give this imaginative setting a sense of place: the shapes of doors and houses, wrought iron elements on steps, delicately decorated earthenware plant pots and patterned tiles. There are also the Arabic words “أبواب دمشق السبعة” (The Seven Gates of Damascus), a reference to the historic gates of the old city. These small elements of everyday life and cultural heritage ground the story without limiting its imaginative possibilities.

The Jasmine Sneeze shows how children can discover a place while simply enjoying a funny story.

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Takeaways

A cultural belief passed down through family storytelling can become a source of inspiration for a character and a funny story.

An illustration can immerse the reader in a city’s atmosphere and convey a sense of place beyond realism.