This is a wonderful story - Issa finds a baby in the desert, raises her as his grandaughter, and, as he becomes blind in his old age, she repays his kindness by being his eyes for him. Both characters are gentle, kind, and loyal - the sorts of people always rewarded in fairytales! And in the end, their happy ending arrives in the form of a traveller who is able to reveal Mariama's true identity.

These books are unusual in that they each tell stories that could fill a novel, in the format of an easy to access picture book. This is especially the case with 'Mysterious Traveller', which has the feel of an expanded fairytale, but is perfect for reading aloud or for independent readers 7ish and up, as the illustrations are just stunningly immersive and transporting. P.J. Lynch captures the light and contours of the desert so well, and the storytelling is rich and strong in imagery.

All three books in the trilogy have heroes who are unlikely, poor, and overlooked, yet remain steadfast and find that in the end their integrity is rewarded.