Category Archives: 1st through 3rd

Mar20

Amar’s Fajr Reward by Amire Hoxha illustrated by Hilmy An Nabhany

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Amar’s Fajr Reward by Amire Hoxha illustrated by Hilmy An Nabhany

As Muslim authored stories are increasingly more available, certain cultural Muslim stories continue to be limited or none existent. Since 2021, when four of us reviewers created the Muslim Book Reviewers and Muslim Book Awards space, we have constantly been encouraging Amire to work on her dream of being an author, and write a joyful Muslim Kosavar book. Through Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, her dream has become a reality, Alhumdulillah, in the form of this 32 page, 8.5 by 11, full color books for early elementary readers. In all my years of reviewing I have not ready many Kosavar books, and of those few, none have been OWN voice, and all have focused on the war.  Enter Amar’s Fajr Reward, a simple story of a boy and his Gjyshi, going for fajr at the masjid, finding the door locked, and the obstacles, determination, and results that transpire, not just for Amar but his grandfather as well.

The book starts with Gyjishi splashing water on Amar to wake him up for Fajr, while reminding him that “Prayer is better than sleep.”  Grandpa’s quick steps and a sleepy little boy, keep Amar hustling after his Gyjishi only to arrive at the masjid and find the door locked.  

Gyshi cannot be deterred by his grandson wanting to go home and pray, or a locked door and decides to jump the fence, something he has done in the past.  Calamity strikes, when he falls and hurts his foot and it is up to Amar to help.  But he can neither scale the wall or find anyone to help.  When the muadhin finally runs up the street Fajr can be made, Gjyshi can be assisted, and changes can be made so that hopefully getting locked out doesn’t happen again.

I love that there are pronunciation tips on the cover page of Gjyshi, grandfather, and Axhi, uncle, but I do wish there was some backmatter showcasing Muslims in Kosovo.  Are Muslim communities spread out in large diverse areas, or do they tend to have neighborhoods that are tied together by faith? As a place not often seen or heard about, a little layering of details would have deepened the story.  Especially, if the reasons are cultural or societal explaining why people don’t wake up until the athan is called, but were annoyed that Amar was knocking on the doors at that time, or maybe why the didn’t just pray outside the masjid, calling the athan and waking up the regulars that attend. Also about why the key to the masjid is “special.” Are places of worship regulated or only allowed to be open at certain times?  I also wish it would have given a little build up about Amar and this particular day. At the start he wants to pray at home as it seems like that is his norm, and Gjyshi going to the masjid seems to be the grandfather’s norm, so was this something special, a right of passage, are kids not typically seen in masjids is he visiting his grandfather? 

The book is sweet and warm, with a lot of heart and I love that it takes place in a masjid and threads in that salah is better than sleep, and that praying in congregation is 27 times the reward.  I also love that the author fulfilled her dream inspired by her own grandfather, and inshaAllah she will continue to write and bring Kosovar stories to our bookshelves, ameen.

Mar16

My First Salah Book: Why and How we Pray by Learning Roots

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My First Salah Book: Why and How we Pray by Learning Roots

Over 91 pages this informative book tells “The Story of Salah” through the miraculous night journey, how to do wudu and its benefits, step by step how to make salah, and then a story style portion of “Life with Salah.” I do not have the digital “kitab” pen that allows readers to have the book read to them and activities made interactive without parental involvement, but even with out it, the book is a pretty solid resource.  The hardback binding, and full color pages are not crowded, they introduce nine characters at the beginning and feature them throughout the pages learning the steps, imagining witnessing the events, and putting the lessons into practice.  Some of the recent Learning Roots books have the characters watching or imagining themselves in story’s of the Sahabas and Prophets, that make me uncomfortable.  The first chapter of this book, is more limited as it illustrates a light in the sky as the Buraq being seen by some children, not the characters in the book, and a silhouetted tree as Sidrat al-Muntaha.  As I am not knowledgeable enough to know if it is “right” or “wrong” to have a child seeing the silhouetted tree and pointing to it, or who it is meant to be, I’ve included pictures for you to decide what is best for your family.  I particularly like that on the pages where Arabic is spoken it is found written in easy to read Arabic with English translation and transliteration.  Within the text there are attributions of hadith and after each chapter there is an activity and questions.  The book concludes with a glossary.

Whether as a tool to learn for the first time, or a book to revise with children already praying, the approach is gentle and easy, inviting children to engage with the pages.  The four chapters are packed full of information, but the illustrations, diagrams, and steps, also allow the book to be referenced, or read cover to cover.

The last chapter, “Life with Salah” shows the character group engaging with salah in a very idyllic way, but given the tone of the book, it works, and will allow readers to see salah as more than just an obligation, which is important.

I got my copy from crescent moon store, if you use my initials (ISL) at checkout you can save 10%.

Mar15

The Donkey who Carried the War on her Back by Hooda Al Shawa illustrated by Sienny Septibella

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The Donkey who Carried the War on her Back by Hooda Al Shawa illustrated by Sienny Septibella

This 44 page story told from Zahra’s perspective, a donkey in Gaza, juxtaposes her life and what she sees before the bombardment of Gaza with after, and the determination and hope that drives her and her owner Sami to help. I love that it shows the daily joy, beauty and the resilience in the face of attempted erasure. By using the donkey as the protagonist, the book is able to explain and show realities in a manner that remains simplified, removed, apolitical, but informative none-the-less, for young children. The book was created with the collaboration of the Tamer Institute for Community Education who’s vision is, “Towards a Free and Safe Palestinian Learning Society,” so, I’m not sure that my opinion counts for anything, but I do worry that the “telling” comes with the words the donkey hears of “sanctions, closures, embargoes, blockade,” but the “showing” comes when “one day, a war came to my city.” It feels like it could be interpreted that life was fine and then one day it wasn’t, and yes, the backmatter defines the words, but it doesn’t “show” the donkey at checkpoints, or show any previous destruction, or struggles.  Presumably the book wants to show the joy and beauty of Gaza to humanize a population that the global media is endlessly working to dehumanize, but the framing and the memorability paints a picture that to my acknowledged outsider, non Palestinian heart, feels dismissive of years of oppression, and aligns with the erroneous narrative that it started in October 2023. That isn’t to say the story is not important,  I think that with guided conversation and contemplation, the book will show children what Gaza looked like before the attacks by the occupation, the importance of pack animals such as donkeys, and why the people of Gaza dream of freedom.

The book starts with Zahra the donkey standing on green grass with buildings and the ocean in the background, acknowledging that Gaza is not an “ordinary city.”  She hears words in the market place that the greengrocers call out “sanctions,” “closures” “embargoes, “blockade,” and hears that the people cannot travel or leave, “that life is difficult and RESTRICTED!” But despite that, she enjoys carrying things in her wooden cart as she makes deliveries, food, solar panels, strawberries, stopping with Sami to get ice cream.

Then when the war hits, the city is turned to rubble, and people must live in tents. Zahra and Sami’s daily routine changes, they transport ration supplies, serve as an ambulance, transporting families to refugee camps, and the border with Egypt to try and leave. The sounds of crying are devastating, but she also hears laughter, and music, and stories from the hakawati.

I like that what they deliver is defined to explain what she is carrying “mahshi kousa,” although it seems like a translation error perhaps and should be “kousa mahshi” with the noun coming first, but again, what do I know. It appears the author is Palestinian Kuwaiti, but there is no mention in the text of the book about any religion, or indication online of the author or illustrator’s faith identity,  I share this not for its Islamic rep, but for solidarity and awareness.  There are visible Muslims in the illustrations.

Mar1

Amal Noor: Mission: Fasting for the First Time by Merve Ozcan translated by Muhammad Izzaddin Seif

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Amal Noor: Mission: Fasting for the First Time by Merve Ozcan translated by Muhammad Izzaddin Seif

Any one who has followed my reviews for very long, knows I really dislike “first fast stories,” so when this one came recommended as being different, and funny, I was hesitant to give it a try, but I caved and purchased it.  And well, it definitely is different in that it is not a picture book, the protagonist knows what fasting and Ramadan are, and she doesn’t just stumble upon her family being up at sahoor one random day, Alhamdulillah. The funny though, well, it just feels really forced, and I can’t tell if it is part “lost in translation” or if  having read early chapter books that have literary value made this one seem, thrown together.  By the end it had a bit of heart, but getting through 93 highly illustrated pages, took a lot of effort.  Amal is obnoxious, doesn’t read her age, and doesn’t have any character growth by the end. If your child likes it, there isn’t anything “wrong” with it, it reads like an attempted imitation of Planet Omar with an annoying Clementine, Junie B. Jones type personality.  The character breaks the fourth wall speaking to the reader, and labels nearly everyone in unequivocal extremes: her mother is the most perfect, the most beautiful, etc., and accomplishing the first fast doesn’t seem to change her at all, despite all the buildup.

SYNOPSIS:

The book starts with Amal proclaiming that she is going to fast the next day, she has tried before but continually fails.  She tells everyone she knows, not just her family, but neighbors, the imam, everyone, and she imagines that it will be a defining day of life before and life after.  Her confidence and arrogance, is put to the test though when she actually has to do it.  At seven-years-old she has done a lot, she runs a charity out of the mosque, she sells items and used goods, and she wanders around independently. Fasting though has alluded her, as has praying more than a couple of rakats of taraweeh, but she is eating and drinking in anticipation of tomorrow, and determined to be successful.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I do like that she messes up and gets through it, I wish though she would have been determined to have a second fast and a third fast, the idea of the first fast being a one and done still doesn’t sit right with me, when Ramadan is a whole month of fasting.  I liked that nothing was overly explained, it is a book by a Muslim for Muslims, and presumably you know what is going on, but I do wish there would have been a little information threaded in about fasting not just being about food.  Amal and her brother Obaid tease and prank each other and with no reminder about being nice being a part of Ramadan included, it seemed like a missed opportunity.  I also thought she was mean to her grandma.  I did like the full circle of her realizing other neighborhood kids her age fasted their first fast without telling anyone, or everyone. But ultimately the book is just not the level of quality that books today have risen too.  If I read this book a few years ago, I might be a lot kinder or happier with my purchase, but even traditionally published books today by Muslim authors have a lot of normalized Islam, that this didn’t feel like it brought anything new to the shelf, and what it brought was not that well done.

FLAGS:

Mean, bragging

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Since I have the book, I’ll shelve it, but the small 8 x 5 inch size might mean it gets lost fairly easy, and had I not already purchased it, I’d probably not rush out to get it.

Feb4

Maymoona’s Moon: A Special Eid Story by Razeena Omar Gutta illustrated by Zayneb Haleem

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Maymoona’s Moon: A Special Eid Story by Razeena Omar Gutta illustrated by Zayneb Haleem

I love the illustrations of this book and have been trying to get it since it released in Australia to no avail, it finally is being released here in America and the 32 page hardback book is so cute to look through.  The story is, well, sigh.  It isn’t bad or wrong, but for a religious centered book, it has no Islam, no Eid feels, no faithful reliance.  Rather than using religion to bring the sighting of the moon to little Muslims and non Muslims, and blending it with the protagonists desire to be an astronaut as the framing of the story, it just focuses on the celestial intrigue.  “Cosmic compasses,” “galactic goggles,” and a cheering squad are needed for “Operation Galaxy Gaze,” there are no “Bismillahs” or “Alhumdulillahs” when looking for the moon, and ultimately seeing it.  Again, it isn’t wrong, it just seems a little unfortunate.  This book will be read in Islamic and public schools, libraries, and everywhere else children, preschool to early elementary, gather with hopes of hearing a Ramadan or Eid story.  I’m just fairly confident, none will leave knowing what Eid is, or why it is important to Muslims.  They will get that Maymoona loves the stars, there is an “inshaAllah” when she dreams of being an astronaut some day, but even the backmatter entitled, “Why is Seeing the Moon so Important for Eid?” focuses on just that, the seeing of the moon, not the month of Ramadan ending and Eid joy prevailing.  I know I’m harsh when it comes to Islamic rep, this one just skirted the line of telling us about searching for the moon, leaving Ramadan behind, and the excitement of Eid, when it so easily could have shown us, and left a lasting impression long after the book closed.

The book starts with the sights and sounds of Eid approaching. There is only one thing left to do and that is something Maymoona takes very seriously, looking for the moon.  It is the most exciting part of Eid for her, as she dreams of being a future astronaut.  She assembles her team to plot and plan, her gear to give her the best chance of success, and she squashes her nerves and makes her ascent to the best vantage point.  And then she waits, patiently to see if the wind will move the clouds, if her dreams of landing on the moon will come to fruition, if tomorrow will be Eid.

The large 8.5 x 11 pages with a matte finish make this book easy to share in small groups or at bedtime, and really let the pictures charm the audience on each and every spread.

Jan26

The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afzal illustrated by Shiva Delsooz

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The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afzal illustrated by Shiva Delsooz

This adorable 32 page picture book, is not just a story about celebrating Eid al fitr, it weaves in themes of culture, faith, anticipation, disappointment, change, and appreciation.  It is Sarah’s first Eid in a new country and she has made herself a new Eidi bag just for the occasion, to collect the money she will receive from friends and family to celebrate the holiday, and then use to buy treats to share.  Except other than her parents and grandfather, no one gives her Eidi.  She longs for Pakistan and the traditions that she is used to, when slowly she sees that new and different traditions can also be fun and filled with love and joy.  The slow realization and protagonist point of view are skillfully done in keeping the story engaging, the arc smooth, and the lessons nuanced.  The beautiful illustrations, tug at your heart and bring the story to life making me confident that it will be a highly sought after addition to any book shelf for story time, bedtime or independent readers, Muslim and non Muslim alike.

The book starts with Sarah running into the kitchen on Eid morning to show her Mama her Eidi bag and ask for her Eidi. Her Mama lovingly gives in and reminds her that it isn’t polite to ask for Eidi.  Sarah repeats the requests when Baba and Dada ji enter, and Mama rolls her eyes.  The family is then off to the masjid to pray, listen to the khutba and give donations.  At each turn of greeting friends, Sarah shows off her bag, and yet no one offers her Eidi, much to her confusion.  On the way home Sarah is missing Pakistan and recalling how full her bag would be if she were there.

Once home, Mama is busy in the kitchen getting ready for guests to come by. Sarah notices that they will be coming at a certain time, not in and out all day long like before.  When the guests, Muslim and non Muslim, start to arrive they each bring a gift, baklava, flowers, candies, a little plant, and even a set of 40 markers just for Sarah, that she can store in her Eidi bag.

I love that even though it could very easily come across as whiney, or with money being discussed, greedy, it doesn’t.  The book is very tender, and you feel the emotions of Sarah in a new place adjusting to what her expectations are to the reality, and adapting. Being kind of dismissed at Eid also was very reflective as children everywhere get a bit jostle with all the hugging and greetings flying around above their heads. I also love that the neighbors come, including a friend named Jessica, modeling for non Muslims what they too can expect if invited to an Eid party. Someone brings baklava, not a traditional Pakistani dish, also showing the diversity within Islam, subtly adding an additional beautiful layer to the story.

The book concludes with an Author’s note and a glossary.  A great book that will work for both Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha.

Jan23

Saif’s Special Patches by Humera Malik illustrated by Ravan Sader

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Saif’s Special Patches by Humera Malik illustrated by Ravan Sader

I really had no idea what this book was going to be about, and the first page or so seemed a little off with the child not knowing about the quilt he was wrapped up in, but. oh. my. heart! Every subsequent turn of the page was a hug from Saif’s patch made quilt straight to my cynical soul.  The infusion of Islam as such a part of his daily activities, his loving family and environment, and the reminder that labels can both hurt and inspire is beautifully done. The illustrations, the tone, and the messaging, is great for kids that have been called “just shy” and everyone who has ever doubted themselves (i.e. everyone) with it’s relatable emotions, and reminder that like a quilt, we are still growing.  I cannot wait for this book to be released and I can enjoy a physical copy to share in classrooms, libraries, and bedrooms. One of the best picture books I’ve read in a while, thank you.

The book starts with Ami asking Saif why he isn’t outside playing basketball with his friends.  He replies, that he “is shy.”  His mother shows him that the quilt is made of patches of Saif: experiences he has had. She shows him a patch and helps him recall the memory attached to it,  starting with last Eid when he was brave and went down the big slide. As he joins in the recollection, he then owns the label that he is brave.  It isn’t that easy though, he tries to be smart like his brother and read a lot, but reading is hard, his brother reminds him he is smart and points out the patch from when he won the scavenger hunt.  Swimming, helping at the masjid, reading Quran, calling the athan, all help Saif to realize he is more than just shy, more than one label, and that he is still growing.

I love the relatability of what Saif is going through, and even though so many of the settings and examples are Muslim centered, the book will resonate with all readers, of all ages.  A tear or more two may have stumbled out as I saw little me in the illustrations and the scenarios, and I have never been called shy. The book releases in March and is traditionally published, meaning plenty of time to pre-order a copy and request your library to shelve it, as it will be available wherever books are sold.

Jan1

Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

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Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

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I have five children, I have taught second grade, I have shelved, recommended, and read aloud a number of early chapter books for the better part of the last 20 years, so when I say that this book changes the standard of what a book (series) for this demographic can and should be, I do not say it lightly. Yes, I am bias, the author is a dear friend, but Amina has layers, growth, insight, struggles, warmth, heart, and all the other glowing adjectives normally associated with beloved books and characters for older readers. This book is the first in a series of four, and each book is somehow better than the previous. At 126 pages with a robust backmatter that includes scientific extensions, a recipe for ful mdamas, and a note from the author, I am confident that children of all ages, everywhere, caregivers, parents and educators alike will all fall in love with Amina, cheer for her, laugh with her, and be enamored with her attitude, perseverance, and joy.

SYNOPSIS:
Amina loves having a plan, a formula in fact, and when she arrives in Indiana as a refugee from Syria she is determined to make friends in 3rd grade.  Things don’t always go as expected, but alhumdulillah Amina doesn’t stay down: classmates, family, and determination combine to help the clever, yellow-loving protagonist find a way to rework her experiments, accept what she can and cannot control, and succeed in making this new country feel a little bit like home.

WHY I LOVE IT:
I adore the humor, unapologetic Islam, the rich Syrian culture woven in, and Amina’s approach to life.  So often early chapter book protagonists are obnoxious, annoying, crude almost, bratty, arrogant, and repetitive, Amina is none of those things.  She is vulnerable and strong, confident, yet nervous, hopeful, but worried, she is tangibly real in a way that readers will see themselves and relate.  I love the humor of idioms being confusing, and the heart of seeing what the parents have sacrificed and are willing to sacrifice by starting over in a new place.  The illustrations add to the experience of drawing reluctant readers in and will help those transitioning from picture books to chapter books be immersed by the story.  As always the author’s writing is impeccable and the story well-crafted.

FLAGS:

There is some teasing, reflections on why Syria was left, the journey to America, and hardship.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
This book is ideal for classroom, library, and home shelves.  It would be a wonderful classroom read aloud and works equally as well at bedtime.  My children college to elementary have all read and loved Amina, and I highly encourage preordering so that your children will get a chance to fall in love with her too.

 

Nov11

The Gift of Eid by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrayed by Aaliya Jaleel

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The Gift of Eid by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrayed by Aaliya Jaleel

With heartfelt words and large two-page spread illustrations, this beautiful book shares a mother and daughter finding the perfect Eid gift for one another while bringing the reader into the Souq Al-Hamidiyeh, before sending them off to Masjid Al-Umawi for a warm hug.  A retelling of the classic, A Gift of the Magi, the story poignantly presents threads of love, gifts, loss, and Eid to fill the reader with joy, peace, and gratitude.  I’m admittedly very bias, as a close friend of the author, but this beautiful book doesn’t need lip service or marketing, it will appeal to all readers in all settings, and be cherished and asked for, over and over again, all throughout the year. Alhumdulillah.

The book starts with Yasmine and her mama entering the souq through the archway, and Yasmine remembering her father and her imagining the circles in the ceiling to be twinkling stars.  He is no longer with them, the magic is gone and money is tight now, but with liras jingling in her pocket, Yasmine is determined to find an Eid gift for her mother that will make her smile.

Yasmine looks around the shops as her mother counts out liras to buy za’atar, and tries to find something cheaper than sfeeha at the bakery.  She finally knows what to get her mother, but it is more lira than she has.  With determination and selflessness she makes a decision to get her mama the perfect gift.

The process separates the two, and when they reunite at the masjid for maghrib salat, it isn’t the gifts themselves, but rather what they mean, that make the laughter, tears, and love overflow.

I love the emotional depth the book conveys so deftly, never explaining or pulling the reader out of the story, thus allowing the connection to linger long after the book is closed, a rare treat in a picture book.