Apr8

Lion on the Inside: How One Girl Changed Basketball by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson illustrated by Katherine Ahmed

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Lion on the Inside: How One Girl Changed Basketball by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson illustrated by Katherine Ahmed

This nonfiction picture book memoir is about Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir’s love of basketball, accomplishments, and ultimate decision to choose her hijab over her career.  For elementary readers the 40 page book reads like a story, and shows what it means to work hard, be talented, stay true to yourself, and be willing to fight for what you believe in.  As the Massachusetts State high school basketball scoring record holder and the first NCAA hijab wearing Muslim basketball player, she was forced to leave the fight on the court and instead fight to change the rules regarding headgear for women playing international professional basketball.  She won the fight, but unfortunately it was too late for her, she now advocates for Muslim girls in sports to not have to choose to cover or play.

The book has a flow as it starts from her being born into a basketball family, and shooting hoops at three.  She plays with her brothers with her grandma, Mudgie, always cheering her on.  Her mother’s strength grounds her and at age 12 she puts on her mother’s hijab and heads out to play ball.

At 14 she is wearing her own hijab and playing on the high school team, her hijab is her super power, and reminder to be fierce, faithful, and kind. When the ref halts the game and says she can’t wear her hijab, her team stands with her, until the game resumes.

She gets a full scholarship to the University of Memphis and plays her final season at Indiana State.  She meets President Obama and beats him in a game.  When she decides to play international though, again she gets told she can’t unless she removes her hijab. She chooses her faith, and when she finally gets the ban overturned, it is too late for her, but not for other Muslim girls.

The book concludes with some photographs, additional information, discussion questions, and places to discover more.  I appreciate that it shows her praying, but I wish it gave just a little insight as to why Muslim women cover, why it is part of our faith.

I found my copy at the library, it is available to purchase here.

Apr5

Sister Friend by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani

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Sister Friend by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani

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After years of teaching, librarian-ing, and mothering, my reviewers are for adults, but with kids in mind. I read in different environments and try and balance what children will think with my more critical literary impressions. But honestly, my first reaction when I see Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow has a new book out, is not about the children, or their parents, it is incredibly selfish, and I want to read the picture book for me.  It has been about a year since I first read my all time favorite, Salat in Secret, and I still feel all the feels, every time I read the book. I even enjoy handing the book to people and watching them read it for the first time.  So, I was both excited, and nervous to read this new book, not knowing if it would measure up to my expectations or rather hopes, so to speak.  I needn’t have worried, subhanAllah, this book in it’s own right is moving, heartfelt, layered, powerful, hopeful, relatable, tender, and while staying on a kindergarten to second grade level is also unapologetic with its centering of Islam, race, and feeling invisible, being new, and making a friend.  The illustrations and words blend beautifully, and by the second page of the 40 page book, I was already emotionally attached to the little protagonist Ameena.  Good writing is good writing, and as a result this beautiful book works for all ages and will be appreciated on multiple layers even after dozens of readings, alhumdulillah.

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The book begins with Ameena playing a game by herself.  She always plays by herself at school, where she tends to be invisible.  Maybe it is her hair in twists or her brownness, she doesn’t know.  One day a new girl comes, her name is Sundus, she wears hijab like Ameena wears to the masjid.

All day Ameena tries to talk to Sundus, but something always seems to keep them apart.  When they finally meet,  Ameena’s excited words get all tangled, and a misunderstanding occurs.  Ameena decides the next day to transform into a rockstar: red-orange hijab and matching boots. The other kids say she is copying the new girl.  Sundus doesn’t say anything.

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Ameena disappears again at school, but family night at the masjid is her happy place.  Where she doesn’t play alone, and there are lots of browns, and she is seen.  When Mama meets a new sister, and greets her with Assalamu Alaikum, Ameena sees how a greeting and a hug can be the start of sisterhood and friendship. And the next time Sundus and Ameena meet, they know just what to say.

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The joy at the end forces you to smile, just as Ameena playing alone at the beginning tugs at your heart.  It is a great book to see yourself and see others in a beautiful, authentic way.  The universal themes of not being seen, making a friend, and being the new kid, are woven in just as hijab, masjid and Assalamu Alaikum are, making the book powerful for Muslim and non Muslims alike.

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I particularly love that their is no glossary, and that the text uses the word masjid not mosque, hijab not scarf and Assalamu Alaikum not salam.  That the masjid is her safe place to laugh and play, and that this book is mainstream published and will find its way to public spaces and be widely accessible.

You can preorder your copy here on Amazon.

Apr4

Eliyas Explains + Bite-Size Journal: Why Does Allah Let Bad Things Happen? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

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Eliyas Explains + Bite-Size Journal: Why Does Allah Let Bad Things Happen? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

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The book stems from the genocide occurring in Gaza, but expands to cover the more general concepts of qadr (destiny), tests, and sabr.  The book assumes that what is happening in Palestine is known and does not discuss specific details, allowing the book to be both timely, yet universal.  As with all the books in the series, the conversational humorous approach appeals to children as foundational Islamic concepts are broken down and explained.  The book is 73 pages with the journal portion starting on page 33. In some of the other books, the journal feels more of a hands on to already shared information, or an accompanying workbook of sorts.  In this book however, I feel like the second half continues to explain the topic at hand, and convey key components in understanding why Allah swt, lets “hard” things happen, how we should view the tests, approach difficulties, and inshaAllah triumph. The book has been checked by a Shaykh, and I highly recommend this important book for elementary, middle grade, and even middle school children. The concept of qadr is difficult, I struggle to truly grasp what we can and cannot change, but this book helps readers focus on what we can change and how to view terrible things that happen to us and to others.

The book starts with Eliyas introducing himself and his family, and then wondering why “Israel is being able to do what they’re doing in Gaza.  Why isn’t Allah stopping it?” As with all Eliyas books, mom and dad are sought out, food is somehow worked in, and time and space are given to Eliyas and his siblings to be given an answer. His parents start by being glad that Eliyas’s heart is soft for the Palestinians and that he is bothered by what is happening to them, before explaining that a lot of understanding is trusting and truly believing that Allah swt knows best.

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The book uses hadith, ayats from the Quran, it even shouts out other Zanib Mian books, The Mindful Book of Wellbeing, for seeing the bigger picture and Eliyas Explains Why Should I Pray my Salat on how to make yourself strong to get through the struggles of this duniya.

The book talks about why Allah swt didn’t make everyone good, and it is clear in saying that being mad and sad are ok too, as long as we are not questioning Allah swt. There are prompts and questions (with answers) and the book is not heavy, despite the subject matter, the tone and approach stay on level and allow readers to connect, alhumdulillah.

You can get your copy here at Crescent Moon Store.

Apr3

Allah Made Me Different by Maryam Abbas

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Allah Made Me Different by Maryam Abbas

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There is nothing revolutionary about this 24 page picture book, but it answers a basic question that children always ask from an Islamic perspective in an engaging and adorable way.  Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the rhyming lines, thick pages, and playful illustrations as they learn why they might look different then others. The book concludes with a dua for gratitude and circles back to the reassurance that Allah swt made us each perfect every few pages.  After multiple readings the pages do crease open, and thus I wish it was a board book.  The small size of 8.5 x 8.5 also makes it a little difficult to read to groups, but ideal one-on-one with little Muslims, alhumdulillah.

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The book starts with a child asking mama about the color of eyes and height.  Mama responds that, “Allah made you how you were meant to be.” The remainder of the book is reassurance that He made us with eyes right for us, hair perfect for us, etc..

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That we are different colors, speaking different languages, as Allah made us all unique, but with hearts to be kind.  Celebrating our differences and our similarities both in the text and illustrations.

You can purchase the book here on Amazon or at Crescent Moon Store.

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Apr2

Come To Prayer by Salwah Isaacs-Johaadien illustrated by Zeynep Yildirim

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Come To Prayer by Salwah Isaacs-Johaadien illustrated by Zeynep Yildirim

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Framed around the five fard prayers, the rhyming 26 pages take readers all around the world with the refrain of “come to prayer, some to salah, come to success, come to falah” appearing after each two page spread.  Reykjavik, Honolulu, Rio, Timbuktu, Kuala Lumpur, and Makkah are shown as families gather to pray in each city.  It is hard to know if the locations were chosen for a specific reason, or to just help with the rhyming lines.  I appreciate the map at the end in showing 18 masjids in the world, but they are not the only ones pictured in the book, so honestly it was not intuitive why they were highlighted. Additional information about the masjids included and where they are located in the world would have been far more beneficial.  The rhyming at times is forced, but for the minimal lines on the pages, and the clear organization of the book, it didn’t bother me too much.  The illustrations compliment the text well and amplify the concept of Islam being a global faith through the connection of Muslims praying everywhere.  The Islamic fiction book is meant for toddlers to early elementary, and with the positive tone of salah being an invitation to success, I think it works well for the audience.

The book starts with little kids waking up in a snowy scene in Reykjavik and heading out with their parents to pray Fajr at the masjid.  Then it is rain in Honolulu that can’t stop a family of five from driving slowly to the masjid for Zuhr.  In Rio a family packs up at the beach to get to Asr salah on time.  For Maghrib, not even a sandstorm across the Sahara can keep a family in Timbuktu from getting to prayer.  And finally a family takes shelter in the masjid for Isha as thunder and lightning in Kuala Lumpur halt their tour. The story ends with everyone entering Makkah in ihraam to pray at the Kaaba.

The book is a thick paperback cover, with glossy 9 x 9.5 inch pages.  It works well for small group story times or bedtime.  It is available on Amazon here or from Crescent Moon Store here.

Apr1

Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library by Hena Khan illustrated by Nabila Adani

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Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library by Hena Khan illustrated by Nabila Adani

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The world’s oldest library proudly stands in Fez, Morocco: started by a Muslim woman, restored by a Muslim woman, and in this 40 page book the library itself tells its own story in a book authored by a Muslim woman.  The personified library shares a few highlights from its early start as a corner in Fatima Al-Fihri’s masjid and university to collections spanning multiple buildings, from a bustling center of learning and knowledge to a place of disrepair and neglect.  Staying on an early elementary level, the informative author’s note and references make the book engaging for older readers as well, and an incredible addition to bookshelves everywhere.

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The book starts with the library introducing itself and welcoming the reader. “Merhaba! I am Al-Qarawiyyin Library–the oldest library in the world.” At over a thousand years old, the library begins at the hands of Fatima Al-Fihri in 859 who dared to dream big and created a space of learning and worship in Morocco.

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As the courtyards and collections grew, seekers of knowledge, from all backgrounds, gathered to discuss, debate, and learn.  Special rooms with special locks kept books safe: a Quran written on camel-leather, a philosophers drawings in gold ink.

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Nearly destroyed once by a fire, the library endured, but over time the rooms were no longer filled with the bustle of people.  One day a small girl, Aziza, paused at the door, but did not enter for many years.  When she did return, she came as an architect with a team to restore the library and invite people back in to read, learn, and dream.

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It delights me that such an important story is available to be widely learned from and appreciated.  You can preorder a copy here from Amazon.

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Mar31

Kareem Between By Shifa Saltagi Safadi

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Kareem Between By Shifa Saltagi Safadi

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It doesn’t matter how many Word documents you read, Goggle docs you add comments to, and screen shots you revise; to hold a physical book in your hands that you have been blessed to observe from the sidelines through numerous revisions, is mind blowing.  Reading the final version from page 1 to page 324, plus the backmatter, has left me at a loss for words with tears streaming down my cheeks. I truly cannot imagine the book any other way. All past drafts and storylines, were just stepping stones to get the book to this version, and as a fan of literature my whole life, to see this metamorphosis in real time has added to my respect and admiration of authors.  Enough about me though, this review is of the middle grade novel in verse that tells the story of Syrian American Kareem, a loveable boy caught in between choices, siblings, friends, labels, and global acts beyond his control.  He makes mistakes, he tries to make things right, and at the center of it all is his Islamic identity, love of football, and genuinely good heart.  I am biased in that I have self appointed Kareem as my nephew, but even after dozens of readings, I was moved to tears three times during the course of this reading.  I made my teens read the book and they loved it, and like them, we hope we get more Kareem in the future.

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SYNOPSIS:

Kareem loves football, particularly the Bears, and dreams of seeing his Arabic name on an American jersey one day in the NFL.  Unfortunately, he hasn’t made the school team, his best and only friend Adam has moved away, and the coach’s son is offering to talk to his dad for Kareem in exchange for some school help.  Add in a new Syrian kid at school, his mom going to Syria to take care of his grandfather, and the fruition of Executive Order 13769 aka the Muslim Ban, and seventh grade has Kareem scrambling on every down to say the least.

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WHY I LOVE IT:

The football framing, the literary inclusions, the Arabic, the Islam, all combine with such tangible heart to create a seamless read both as a compelling story and as an example of literary craft.  The language is on point and intentional, that even if you don’t know the character or novel referenced, the Arabic words included, or football terminology used, you will be invested in the characters and plot, and find yourself cheering for Kareem.  Often debut authors show promise, but their stories have plot holes, or pacing issues, or inconsistencies, that is not the case with this book.  The crumbs are there that tie everything together, the depth of the characters’ personalities reveal how developed they are, and the timeline keeps the book moving forward.  There are no dry or slow spots in the entire novel, it is easily read in one sitting as you find yourself nervous for Kareem, and curious how it will resolve.

Boys and girls, Muslims and non Muslims, Arabs and non Arabs, all will find themselves drawn to this book, and thinking about the characters, particularly Kareem, long after the final page is read.

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FLAGS:

Some stress and anxiety with missing parents.  Death, bullying, cheating, fighting, lying, racism.

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TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

The book is a solid middle grade, but the quality of writing and engaging plot makes it work for a middle school book club read as well.  I cannot wait to share this book widely.

Preorders speak volumes and I truly hope if you are able that you will preorder a copy, you can do so here.  Requesting your local public library to shelve the book is also a tremendous help to signal to publishers what type of stories and OWN voice authentic representation consumers will support.

Mar30

Baby Touch: Happy Eid! by Lemon Ribbon Studio

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Baby Touch: Happy Eid! by Lemon Ribbon Studio

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This 12 word, 10 page, touch and feel board book is nothing special, yet for some reason it does make me smile.  It could be better, and absolutely, “star” has nothing to do with Eid, but that it is in our public library, that it is full of joy for our littlest humans, and that it has mosque and prayer rug, and charity, and community, and family, and feast, is really quite sweet. It would work for either Eid and the bright uniform pictures are clear and simple to engage babies and toddlers alike.

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Each page spread has a singular image and a word below it.  The pictures on the right have some sort of touch and feel element, from a bumpy minaret, to raised smooth coins in the charity jar.  I wish the rice on the feast plate would have been raised and that a plush prayer rug would have been offered, but until publishers seek out beta readers, this is probably as good as it is going to get.

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Some of the words might be too advanced, but I think the singularity allows for discussion if the child wants, if not, it is still nice to see elements of Eid illustrated for a baby to connect to in a joyous presentation.  The 7x 7 book is not overly padded, but the corners are rounded and easy for little hands to carry.

I found mine at my library, but it is also available here on Amazon.

Mar29

Letters from a Prophet by Zimarina Sarwar illustrated by Giorgio Bacchin

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Letters from a Prophet by Zimarina Sarwar illustrated by Giorgio Bacchin

I’m not a fan, as a general rule, of lift the flap books for toddlers (they just tear them), so imagine my delight when I was completely captivated with a lift the flap book for middle grade and up! And the flaps are not trivial, they reveal letters from Prophet Muhammad (saw), maps, interesting facts, and make an already impressive, beautiful non fiction picture book, feel interactive and somehow even more enticing.  The book gives context and information for four letters sent by RasulAllah to Emperor Heraclius, Al-Muqawqis, King Chosroes, and Al-Nijashi.  Each section has the story of the letter and then a two page spread that details lessons we can learn.  The book itself starts with an introduction, a section about the seal and where the ideas to send the letters came from.  It concludes with final thoughts and a bibliography.  I do wish the book was perhaps checked by a scholar, but at least it has sources at the end.  Truly, I learned so much from reading this book and discussing it with my kids, I’m even thinking I might need to gift my mom a copy for Eid. It works for adults and kids alike, a few pages at a time at bedtime, in a classroom setting, as a resource.  I hope books like this become the norm for teaching Islamic history to our children, it really has raised the bar, alhumdulillah.

The book starts with the cover, the large 55 page hardback book with raised images, really sets the tone that this is going to be an experience.  The introduction starts with the basics explaining the value of lettering writing in history, it then establishes where the idea came from to reach out to Byzantium, Egypt, Persia, and Abyssinia.

It gives a brief timeline of the life of Prophet Muhammad saw, tells about the value of seals and what the Prophet’s seal looked like before starting the letters.  Then the four sections begin, the first being to Heraclius the Emperor of Byzantium, then Al-Muqawaqis also known as the Ruler of Egypt: Jurayj ibn Mina-Kiolos, Leader of the Copts, then King Chrosroes also known as the Shah of Persia Khosrow al-Parvaiz II, and then finally Al-Najashi also known as King Negus of Abyssinia As’hama Ibn Abjar.

The Final Thoughts discuss the impact even though most did not convert and offer the reader different aspects to consider while looking at the bigger picture.

The book won the Muslim Book Awards 2023 Non Fiction category and is available for purchase here at Crescent Moon Store.

Mar26

Mimi & Unicorn Get to Know Allah by Zanib Mian illustrated by Laila Ramadhani

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Mimi & Unicorn Get to Know Allah by Zanib Mian illustrated by Laila Ramadhani

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Creating understanding and love of Allah swt is perhaps the most important type of Islamic fiction book available for young children, so I love that we have options to choose from. The framing of this book is nothing new, a child asking various people about Allah swt to learn about Him, is found in numerous books.  But, this 32 page book is particularly engaging because of the large brightly illustrated pages, and the author’s signature style of conveying facts in a simple relatable manner.  The comic relief of the unicorn and the adorable protagonist are great, and the added layer of it being checked by two named scholars really make this one of the best in a very populated category.

The book starts with Mimi wondering about Allah swt after hearing people say things such as, “Allah will take care of it,” and “Allah knows.”  She asks her imaginary friend, Unicorn, but she doesn’t know either, so they head off to ask different family members.

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Summaya, Mimi’s big sister tells her that  “if you know Allah, you love Him, and He loves you.” It is followed up with details that Allah swt knows us, because he made us. From Nana, Mimi and Unicorn learn that Allah swt is One, and he explains why we don’t know what he looks like.  From Nani we learn that “Allah swt has no beginning and no ending.” Baba explains that we turn to Allah swt when we need help, Unicorn wonders if we need a phone or Imam to do that. Finally she talks to her Mama who explains trusting Allah’s plan.

Each stop is beautifully articulated and examples are given, resulting in a Mimi who’s heart becomes light and warm, and who works to know more about Allah swt every single day.

The backmatter includes notes from the author and illustrator and various bookish people sharing their early understanding of Allah swt and his attributes.

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The book is available from muslimchildrensbooks.co.uk in the UK and here from Crescent Moon Store in the USA (she ships globally)