The Cloak from Bagdad

 Cartoonist, Carol Isaacs, uses the medium she knows best, the graphic novel, to tell the story of her family’s history.  She is the author of several books that share stories about growing up in London as the child of Iraqi Jews. This middle grade story was taken from Carol Isaacs original graphic novel The Wolf of Bagdad, a more detailed graphic novel version of the story for adults.

In The Cloak From Bagdad we meet Louise who was born in London and her parents who have immigrated from Bagdad, Iraq.  At home Louise and her family speak Arabic and eat Middle Eastern foods. Louise stands out in her London classroom with her dark curly hair and Middle Eastern features. Though Louise has asked about the family history her parents are reluctant to talk about why they left Bagdad. 

When Louise finds a box of old family photographs her grandmother tells her the story about why the family had to leave Bagdad.  Traveling back in time, Louise, under an invisibility cloak, the abaya, is able to see her mother as a young girl living in Iraq. She secretly follows her mother around. Louise can see the family celebrating Shabbat, then Purim and as they prepare for Passover.  She follows her young mother and uncle as they walk through the Jewish quarter to school. 

Louise witnesses as the anti-semitism grows in Iraq. Then as World War II escalates Hitler invades Iraq and the Jewish people there are in danger. Louise, hidden by her cloak, watches as the family with the help of a friendly neighbor escapes their home as the neighborhood is being attacked. 

Back at home in London, Louise understands the details of her family history, she feels more secure with her differences.  Now she is proud to share her family’s story. Louise tells the story of her family’s escape from Iraq for a school presentation. This gives the other students the opportunity to ask her questions and share some of their favorite family foods and experiences.  She learns that other kids at school have their own family customs and some of them are similar to hers.

This story is illustrated in comic book style with muted colors. With pen and ink drawings of her family, she is able to share the customs and clothing of the Iraqi Jews.  Isaacs draws the neighborhoods of Jewish Bagdad, Iraq, to illustrate how it may have looked in the 1920’s before it was destroyed and the Jewish people were pushed out.