Category Archives: Board Book

May13

Allah Made Me Beautiful by Layla Izruna illustrated by Laila Radhani

Posted on May 13, 2024 by islamicschoollibrarian

This 6×6 board book is 18 pages of affirming and celebrating that no matter what we look like, “the Best of Shapers, shaped us all.” The little size, the rhyming lines, the repetition of the phrase “Allah made me beautiful” on the right page of each spread, is what you would expect from a board book meant for newborns and up. The rhyme and cadence levels out after the first page, and makes for a sweet easy read. The mirror on the last page with a hadith in English and Arabic is particularly nice. The illustrations and text are intentionally diverse and inclusive and with the Islamic centering the book is good for starting discussions as well.

The book is no literary masterpiece, but sometimes it doesn’t need to be, to be a staple read on repeat to our little believers. This book dives right in on the first page, there are no copyright or dedications that have to be flipped through. It is numerous pages of examples of how Allah swt made us all different: straight hair, curly hair, twins, larger body size, skin color, mobility, freckles, glasses etc. The end spread, before the mirror, is the conclusion that our “looks have been perfected by Him, tying it all together.

The illustrations are engaging, and simple, but detailed enough to foster dialogue if desired and while the small size would make using it at story time impossible, I think little hands and little hearts will benefit from knowing that we are different, but just as Allah swt intended us to look.

The book is available from the publisher Prolance directly, or here on Amazon

May6

Our World: Pakistan by Rumaisa Bilal illustrated by Nez Riaz

Posted on May 6, 2024 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Our World: Pakistan by Rumaisa Bilal illustrated by Nez Riaz

This 20 page board book doesn’t come out for a few months, but it really is adorable, and I love that it centers Islam, so I’m putting it on your radar hoping you might preorder to show your support. This ever growing series highlights different countries by OWN voice authors, focuses on simple text, cultural insight, linguistic samples, and bright illustrations. The book follows a little girl from morning to bedtime and then highlights parts of the unique cultural aspects shared in the back-ish matter.

The book starts with Subah Bakhair, good morning, written in Urdu and English, before AllahuAkbar and prayers are made. Then it is time to get dressed and deciding what to wear. Little brother is in a swinging cradle, and paratha and lassi are shared with family. The little protagonist then heads on the driverless orange trains with her Dada, grandfather, to do some shopping, concluding with bedtime du’aas.

Board books are a little tricky for me as if they are more than just a few words on a very basic topic, they seem to be really jumpy or really wordy. If they manage to not have long blocks of text, and stay on the intended audience’s level, they seem to be random in what is included. This book is no exception. I am not sure how the words were chosen to include in Urdu script, why some words are given for specific things like shalwar kameez, but not for the joolah. Not sure why the bathroom, getting ready for bed scene is included, and why lota is highlighted in the end, either. I’m sure to someone else it seems logical, there is nothing “wrong” with it, it just seemed a little disjointed from the rest of the inclusions.

I love the illustrations, they are engaging and joyful. Desis have a decent amount of rep in children’s books, but a board book dedicated just to Pakistan widely available here in the west, that is OWN voice, features Islam, and well done, really is delightful to see, alhumdulillah.

You can preorder your copy here

Mar30

Baby Touch: Happy Eid! by Lemon Ribbon Studio

Posted on March 30, 2024 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Baby Touch: Happy Eid! by Lemon Ribbon Studio

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.

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.

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.

Feb26

EidTale: An Eid al-Fitr Adventure by Aaliya Jaleel

Posted on February 26, 2024 by islamicschoollibrarian

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EidTale: An Eid al-Fitr Adventure by Aaliya Jaleel

This is the thickest board book I think I have ever seen, and that it is about Eid, filled with Muslim joy, and has foldout pages, makes it one of the best as well. It even gets that Fajr salat is prayed at dawn, it uses masjid instead of mosque, and mom covers outside, but not at home, alhumdulillah. The book is meant for littles, but I think preschoolers will enjoy the siblings getting up on Eid morning, praying, putting on new clothes, taking their Eidi to get gifts, sharing with the homeless, the aunties doing henna, the uncles drinking chai as they make their way to the masjid to pray and celebrate. It is beautifully illustrated, with simple toddler aligning text, and is an absolute joy to read, spend time with and share.

I love that it shows generosity, and some of the sunnahs of Eid, without telling or preaching. And yet amidst all the fun foldouts, bright colors, cute cats, and traditions, it also has a bit of a plot, that parents can talk to their kids about. This book is unapologetic and for Muslim kids, but the authenticity is so warm that even non Muslims will be drawn to it.

I love this book, and can’t wait to gift it to some of the little people on my Eid shopping list. The book comes out March 5, 2024 and can be (pre)ordered here.

Mar9

The Adventure of Faris: Faris & the Curious Case of the Missing Eid Presents by Muhammad and Husna Sattaur illustrated by Farimah Khavarine Zhad

Posted on March 9, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Adventure of Faris: Faris & the Curious Case of the Missing Eid Presents by Muhammad and Husna Sattaur illustrated by Farimah Khavarine Zhad

This 22 page padded cover toddler book, is not quite a board book, but the thick cardstock glossy pages are definitely meant for toddler hands. The book works for both Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha and my 3 year old finds it silly. My older kids that have walked in and paused to listen to me reading it, as well as myself, feel like a page is missing. The rhyming story sets the stage of Eid morning and missing presents, but the resolution is abrupt, really abrupt, with no hinting at and the forced rhyme has you wondering who Uncle Sam is in the story. The 22 pages are bright with Islamic decorations in the house and references to Eid and praying in the text. The excitement and joy are sweet, and the focus is presents, there is nothing about Eid or anything deeper than the story at hand as it stays on level for toddler aged children.

The book starts with Faris waking up on a beautiful spring morning, it is Eid and he starts to sing, before tip toing down the stairs in his Eid pjs. He sees the time and knows they won’t be up til fajr. So, while kids won’t care, as someone who has read the book now a dozen times, I’m curious how old Faris is that he knows how to tell time, what it means and what time fajr is. I’m also wondering how it is ok to sing and dance, but then you need to sneak down quietly, and how it is a beautiful morning, if it isn’t fajr yet, it is dark outside.

He daydreams in the kitchen before heading off to open presents. Except the presents are missing. He looks everywhere and imagines a dragon eating them. I don’t want to spoil where the presents are, but they are found, and he opens them and then his parents wake up.

It is a little sad that he opens one at least before his parents come, and I really wish there was a little hinting at what had happened to the presents, it really feels like a page is missing. The book was published in 2021 so hopefully they will edit the text for a next printing.

I got mine from Crescent Moon and you can purchase a copy by clicking this link here, if you use my initials ISL (Islamic School Librarian) at checkout you will save 10%.

Mar4

Ramadan Mubarak by Saniyasnain Khan

Posted on March 4, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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I don’t know how I missed this board book from 2020, possibly because I have the old school original Goodword one I didn’t think to acquire this one, but now that I have it, I’ll share my thoughts. The illustrations are the same as the original, with a few placement rearranging and color changes, but the text (unfortunately) is completely different and the binding is now a small 5×5 22 page board book. The book is all over the place with what is included about Ramadan, there is no story, and at times the vocabulary is definitely too advanced for little listeners. Honestly, the book is great for little hands to carry around and for parents to point out important parts about Ramadan in the illustrations to talk to toddlers and preschoolers about, but the text is really hit and miss. As my mom, a veteran preschool and ESL teacher would say, “don’t read the story, tell the story.” I don’t regret buying it, but I doubt I’ll ever read it cover to cover as written to my three year old, he doesn’t grasp the need to hand out Qurans in English to our friends and neighbors, but he benefits from the page before saying that “Ramadan is the month of the Quran” and seeing the smiling Muslim faces praying, caring for others, and praising Allah swt.

The book starts with Ramadan starting and bringing joy and happiness as it fills our hearts with peace and love for Allah. It states we fast from dawn to dusk which makes us hungry and thirsty, but that these feelings “remind us that food and water are great blessings from Allah.” I love this point about remembering our blessings from Allah, and that it then mentions shukr, and being thankful. It then says that Ramadan is the month of the Quran and that we read it and need to apply it in our lives.

I don’t understand the dawah page, and I wish the following page with a hadith was sourced. It then returns to the purpose of fasting, this time saying we do it to “train ourselves to be kind, peaceful, and patient. It makes us caring for others.” These are great lessons to come from fasting, but we fast because Allah swt prescribed it for us.

The book stays on this theme of fasting reminding us about the poor and needy and encouraging us to feed and help them, but doesn’t mention zakat or charity by name. It then defines taqwa and says fasting helps develop it before spending four pages on Lailatul Qadr, using phrases such as “Night of Destiny,” “innumerable angels” which might need some explanation, and taraweeh was never mentioned.

The book concludes with Ramadan ending and Eid al Fitr being celebrated. Goodword seems to recycle and update parts of books every so often, and I hope they will tweak this book to be a better fit for toddlers and preschool aged readers. Board books are important, the illustrations fun, but the text needs some attention to truly make the book a staple in Muslim homes.

I purchased mine here from Crescent Moon Store if you use my initials ISL (Islamic School Librarian) you can save 10%. Happy Ramadan.

Jan9

Baby’s First Series: Bismillah by Marwa Ahmed illustrated by Natalia Scabuso

Posted on January 9, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Baby’s First Series: Bismillah by Marwa Ahmed illustrated by Natalia Scabuso

Every few years a new Bismillah board book comes out and while after a while they all blur together, this new 2022 version is bright and colorful and at 24 pages a good length to show and teach toddlers when to say Bismillah without boring them. At this age repetition is key, so while there is no real story, the book highlights familiar activities through the character Maryam and stresses saying Bismillah before you begin them. The book concludes with sourced duas to say when leaving the house, starting a meal, entering a bathroom, and before sleeping, and every morning and evening. I do wish the book would have clearly established that you say Bismillah, before starting anything and everything. It hints at it at the end saying, “throughout the day, remember to say Bismillah,” but I worry that some kids would take it more literal, that you only say it at the times mentioned in the book, and not that the featured scenarios are just examples.

The book begins with Bismillah in Arabic text and the translation before starting the format of Maryam doing something on the left page spread and the saying of Bismillah on the right. So, “Maryam likes taking walks with her day, When they leave, they say Bismillah.” In this manner Maryam takes the readers to play at the park, eat a meal with vegetables, drink a drink after her meal, read a book, wash before prayer, and get ready for bed.

The faces of Maryam and other people are never shown, the stuffed animals in her room do not have eyes, although the duck bouncy seat at the park does. The illustrations are blocky and colorful with the text clear and large. The duas at the end tell when to say the dua, the dua in Arabic, the translation in English, and the source.

For where to purchase the book you can visit the publisher’s website: www.litfancyhouse.com

Nov25

Iman’s Sunnah Adventures: Mama Once Told Me by Sharifah Huseinah Madihid illustrated by Lakhaula S. Aulia

Posted on November 25, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Iman’s Sunnah Adventures: Mama Once Told Me by Sharifah Huseinah Madihid illustrated by Lakhaula S. Aulia

This adorable 36 page board book had me laughing as a mom watching the increasing exasperation and dishevelment of the poor mother in the book page after page. The book focuses on the sunnahs of welcoming guests, but the interpretations are the efforts and understandings of a small child being overly helpful, and the toll it takes on his parents. The humor, the presentation, the introduction to various sunnahs is well done for little ones and their caregivers alike. The book has not released yet, I viewed an e-version and I’m assuming the final spread is a lift the flap review of sunnahs. Nothing is sourced, and salutations on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are denoted by an asterisk throughout the book with a footnote at the end. There are two books in the series and both share sunnahs, humor, and the main character Iman.

The book starts with Iman feeling bored as his parents prepare for the arrival of guests. Iman then remembers something Mama once told me (him), “That the Prophet* said cleanliness is half of eeman…” and with that the little one is off to help clean. Bubbles and more mess later, Iman is proud of himself and his parents are shocked and the bigger mess that greets them.

Up next is recalling that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ “would make a special seat to honor his guests” and Iman decides that glitter will be a great way to fulfill that sunnah. When Iman is sent to get himself ready, more fulfillment occurs until Mama is exhausted and Iman finds a way to fulfill the sunnah of making his parents happy.

The book might be a little above level of a toddler, but I think the silliness makes it a great introduction to sunnahs and will be a joy to read over and over again.

For more information about availability you can check the publisher’s website

Oct10

My First Book About Salah: Teachings for Toddlers and Young Children by Sara Khan illustrated by Ali Lodge

Posted on October 10, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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My First Book About Salah: Teachings for Toddlers and Young Children by Sara Khan illustrated by Ali Lodge

Looking at the books in the series, reading them to my children, getting the latest one delivered to my doorstep: every step along the way makes me smile, alhumdulillah. The soft warm illustrations and impressive amount of information lovingly conveyed in board book form really makes the series a staple for young children. The newest addition to the series is about Salah, and I love that the framing is that prayer is a blessing, it doesn’t open with listing the five daily prayers, it begins with Isra wal Miraj. It sets the tone that prayer is special and beautiful and a gift. It does eventually list the five required prayers, the words of the athan, Fatiha in English and Arabic, steps of wudu, and parts of salah, but the way it is woven together is seamless and so much more than just lists of information. With ayats from the Quran sprinkled in, the book flows from one focus to the next, leaving the end as always, for facts and questions. Appropriate for ages two and up, this 26 page board book can and will still inspire and teach older kids.

The only pause this book gave me were the illustrations. There is not a single page where the people praying are standing shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot. I could see if in a few pictures the creative liberty, or Covid reality manifest itself in the pictures, but whether it is a family praying, or people in a masjid, there is a gap between the individuals, and that seemed off to me. Additionally because of the spacing in all the pictures, the pictures where perhaps the people are not praying together, but are just shown to be making tasleem or the illustration that all Muslims of all colors and all professions and all abilities pray, it almost seems to show men and women praying together. I don’t know that the toddlers in the audience will notice, but perhaps be aware of it if when reading it to your children. Aside from that the illustrations show the global faith of Islam and the beauty that we all worship together.

Available to purchase here and I’m sure it will be stocked by Crescent Moon as well. Oh PS it also comes with a sheet of stickers.

Sep5

Egypt by Aya Khalil illustrated by Magda Azab

Posted on September 5, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Egypt by Aya Khalil illustrated by Magda Azab

This sweet board book is part of a series, the other two books are Japan and France, releasing in October. All are brightly illustrated, 20 page books for ages zero to four and take the littlest of readers into a country, through sights, experiences, foods and language. This particular book does not feature any visible #muslimsintheillustrations but the author is Muslim, and so I am reviewing and sharing it here.

The framing of the book is a day in the life of a little girl, who wakes up with bosas from her mama and baba and greetings of Ahlan. Some of the words are written in Arabic script with the English transliteration and pronunciation provided, other times it is just the English transliteration of the Arabic with the pronunciation asterisked and written smaller immediately below the text.

Once she is awake, she gets dressed, brushes her teeth and is off with her baba to buy pita and ful. The busy street offers sights to see and fruits to pick from. She ponders and asks herself and the readers which one to choose.

At her Teita and Geddos there is dancing and tabla playing before walking back home along the Corniche. Dinner is served and bedtime has arrived. The book concludes with a summary of her day linking the Arabic words to the illustrations and English meaning, as well as some pronunciation tips for the Arabic sounds.

As a Muslim reviewer I had to hope there might be one hijab clad woman in the illustrations, I know many Muslims don’t cover and Egypt is diverse, but considering the lens I review from, I feel obligated to state that opinion.

A little more critically, I was a bit surprised on the page with the colorful boats that the color names yellow, blue, and purple, were not included in Arabic and only in English. Seemed that would have been an naturally and easy inclusion.

Overall, the book did a good job of celebrating Egypt without over explaining, keeping it bright and engaging for toddlers. I really like the language being shared in a story context, not just a book with a picture on it and words in different languages. I also liked that while the details were Egypt specific, there were also pages that were universal.

Available for preorder and purchase here