Category Archives: Non Fiction

Mar14

My Prophet ﷺ , Myself by Dana Nass illustrated by Zainab Arshad

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My Prophet ﷺ , Myself by Dana Nass illustrated by Zainab Arshad

I truly cannot figure out this title, and am hoping someone can explain it to me. With that being said, the book, shukr Alhumdulillah, at least has a Bibliography. For nonfiction reads, I have begun to check that first, and then decide whether to read the book. After a few chapters though, the book was reading a little stilted, so I read the author’s bio on the back, and then it started to make more sense.  The book is divided into 21 virtues, and little vignettes of RasulaAllah’s life are shared that support the theme of the chapter, but there isn’t a lot of discussion, or hand-holding. Each chapter defines the virtue, shares a bulleted list of how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ practiced the given topic, shares some example snapshots, then asks a few “Practical Application Questions.” Nothing wrong with it, the writing is decent, the stories of our Beloved obviously incredible, but when I saw that the author writes curriculums, it made more sense to me that, while this book might be for 6-12 year olds, it doesn’t necessarily mean most in that age range will sit down and read it cover to cover.  After reading the book, I found it to be a very useful tool though.  I can see teachers of after school programs, or Muslim summer camps, or Sunday schools working through a lesson a class period khatira style, or in a discussion where the children can discuss what they understood about the stories shared of the Prophet, their understanding of the virtues in their own lives, and how they can be more aligned with the life of the best teacher and example, inshaAllah.

The book is 128 pages and the soft back binding is large 11 x 7, making it easy to hold and read if addressing an audience.  There are a few illustrated pages to break up the text, and the little, presumably Rabata Firefly, buzzing around most pages.  The 21 virtues are Empathy, Trustworthiness, Self-Control, Contentment, Seeking Knowledge, Responsibility, Maintaining Ties of Kinship, Courage, Fairness, Generosity, Confidence, Grit, Honesty, Inclusivity, Loving for the Sake of Allah, Honoring Our Parents, Teamwork, Leadership, Kindness, Respect, and Gratitude.

Mar9

Living with the Qur’an: A Yearlong Journey to Falling in Love with Allah’s Words by Aliyah Umm Raiyaan

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Living with the Qur’an: A Yearlong Journey to Falling in Love with Allah’s Words by Aliyah Umm Raiyaan

by Aliyah Umm Raiyaan 

I had heard that this book contained numerous transliteration and translation errors, that the humble brags and social media references affected the tone of the book, and the insight stayed pretty surface level.  I wasn’t too worried about the lack of depth, as I’m not particularly knowledgeable, but since I had preordered this book with the hopes of spending time with it in Ramadan, and I was really looking forward to it having enjoyed her previous books, particularly her Power of Du’a one, I was determined to find a way to benefit from it.  The logical choice for me, was to then not read the book, but listen to the audio book, as to not get hung up on any errors.  And alhumdulillah it was a great decision.  The author reads the book herself, so when the personal reflections are shared, it simply feels like a conversation and her referencing her own life as it relates to the topic at hand, the stories of other people are received as if she were talking about a friend who went through something similar, and the recitation of the Quran by  Sumayah Hassan, was beautiful and thus no transliteration was needed.  I also did not spend a week on each of the 52 chapters, I simply had it on when I got in the car and turned it off when I got out.  The actionable items will need revisiting at some point, but I was moved by a sufficient amount that have already been put into action, and a few passages that struck a chord, I did reread in the physical copy and highlight. Just because I didn’t use the book as intended, I overall did enjoy the book, benefit from it, and connect with the organization and messaging, alhumdulillah.

Each chapter is meant to be put into action a week at a time for the entire year.  The chapters have a theme, a verse from the Qur’an in Arabic, the transliteration in English and the meaning in English, a few paragraph description or detail tying it all together by the author, a story from some outside individual, a “Pause and Reflect” section highlighting what the author wants you to gleam from the story and how it relates to the topic of the chapter. There is then a “Live with His Words,” section that are action based tasks to engage the reader/listener with the Qur’an in practical ways.  Next is “A Question for your Heart,” where you are pushed to consider or reflect about your own relationship with the Qur’an, and finally a section called, “Fall in Love with The Author,” where Allah’s (swt) name or names are connected to the content of the chapter.  



The tone is personal and encouraging, the stories shared were by far my favorite part, as they ranged from relatable to incredible. I can see myself thumbing through the chapters in the future, or relistening on a road trip. I would love to hear how others engaged with the book, if anyone is working through it a chapter a week as intended, or if anyone else opted for the audio version, and why?


Mar7

Mini Muslim Minds: Heart Germs & Gems by Zanib Mian illustrated by Hilmy an Nabhany

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Mini Muslim Minds: Heart Germs & Gems by Zanib Mian illustrated by Hilmy an Nabhany

These are not books that you hand to an elementary aged child to read independently, they are meant to facilitate conversation, gently guide, and be a tool in shaping awareness and emotional intelligence for our little believers.  I love that once again the author has filled a gap in our repertoire and made the information accessible, age appropriate, and easy to engage with.  We often use words like generosity, gratitude, stinginess, and fail to properly explain what they mean, what they look like, what they feel like, and how to counter them or make them grow.  These are not fictional stories with heavy moral themes, these are non-fiction self help books for little kids, that require the adults to share and tailor to the child(ren) or situation at hand.  With Eid around the corner I have spent a few evenings going through the generosity and gratitude books with my six year old and referencing it as his Eid list continues to grow out of control. And the format and voice, even though text heavy, work great one-on-one, I can also see this series working well in small groups and classrooms as they are short and relatable in presenting emotional intelligence. InshaAllah these are just the first three installments of the series.

The first few pages of each 24 page book are the same: A reference to a Hadith regarding good character admitting people into Paradise, explaining the concept of Heart Germs and Heart Gems, and giving time to explaining that there is the heart that beats, and the one that is the “place where all our big emotions happen.” The format has the illustrations on the left and the text on the right in the small 7.5 x 8 soft bound books.

Heart Germs & Gems: Generosity: The book first explains the concept of stinginess and links it to being afraid that you won’t have enough.  It shares ways to help determine if you are being stingy, and how it makes you feel. It then explores how to cure that Heart Germ with Generosity.  It provides little ways to start small and how it brings joy to others, pleases Allah swt and can lighten the heart, as you truly learn that everything comes from Allah swt.

Heart Germs & Gems: Gratitude: Alhumdulillah is not just knowing that everything is a gift from Allah swt, it is feeling happy and thankful for all of it. The book explains gratitude and then the opposite, the germ in the heart, of being ungrateful. It provides ways to be more grateful, encouraging that one notices the blessings in life.  There is an English translation of the verse in the Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim, “If you are grateful, I will give you more,” and then explains it in action and highlights how true happiness does not come from riches, but from gratitude and contentment.

Heart Germs & Gems: Anger: The book starts with how to calm your anger by first understanding why you got angry, how it feels, and how to calm it before it grows. It then takes a page explaining why controlling one’s anger is important, and what can happen when we don’t. It teaches Audhoobillhi minashaytan nirajeem as a tool to help along with taking deep breaths, changing our position, and making wudu. It then normalizes that anger is a something that everyone deals with and references that controlling it makes Allah swt happy and that Prophet Muhammad saw, said that those that can control their anger are strong. The book also shares that anger isn’t always bad and can motivate us to stand up for what’s right, and as long as we are in control of the emotion, it can be good.

Dec27

Rooza: A Journey through Islamic Cuisine inspired by Ramadhan and Eid by Nadiya Hussain

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Rooza: A Journey through Islamic Cuisine inspired by Ramadhan and Eid by Nadiya Hussain

This 191 page, highly illustrated cookbook by a well-known chef and author sets out to be a journey around the world with recipes of beloved foods associated with Ramadhan and Eid.  The introduction shares some of the author’s personal thoughts on the time of the year, what it means to her and her family, and while I cringe when she says, “not eaten from sunrise,” seeing as fasting starts at dawn, the premise of what is to come allows the reader to learn a bit and be inspired too. I do wish that there was more about the food and it’s connection to Ramadan or the culture, but it really is more about the recipes, and the framing, not the exploration of Ramdhan or Eid, her relationship to the dishes chosen, how the recipes came about, and why they are included.

The book is not organized by appetizers, main course, and dessert, or even by ingredients: vegetables, fish, poultry, etc., it is organized arbitrarily by country, with each of the featured cuisines getting two recipes spread over a few pages with gorgeous accompanying pictures, until the Eid section where countries of origin are not attributed with the food, desserts, and snacks.

Whether you want to cook a dish from a certain country, thumb through it and be inspired by a picture, or use the index to look up a specific food or ingredient, I enjoyed reading the book cover to cover and finding dishes I soon hope to try.

 

 

Dec22

Muslim Mavericks: The True Story of Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can by Dr Seema Yasmin illustrated by Noha Habaieb

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Muslim Mavericks: The True Story of Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can by Dr Seema Yasmin illustrated by Noha Habaieb

This 73 page, first book in the Muslim Mavericks series for early elementary readers is an informative biography on the actress/dancer/comedian/entertainer who happens to have cerebral palsy, three sisters, be born in New Jersey of Palestinian decent, and be Muslim. I could not find what other biographies the series plans to include, which is a bit disappointing, and I mention it because it is published by Salaam Reads, a Muslim imprint of Simon and Schuster, the author seems to identify as Muslim, and Maysoon Zayid is Muslim.  Yet, a side from Muslim being included when she lists off all her perceived labels, there is nothing Islamic in the book, so I’m curious what the line up or plans are for the series.  I get that it isn’t meant to be some Islamic resource guide, but in this book, in particular, it seems blaringly absent when all of the other self identifying labels are factored in to Maysoon’s dreams, her obstacles, her bag of tools to overcome her challenges….EXCEPT ISLAM.

SYNOPSIS:
The book follows Maysoon looking up to her sisters on the cusp of her first day of school, where she finds out the school will not accept her, all the way to her starring on General Hospital as an adult.  With her fighting battles to be included, finding her voice, and pivoting her dreams, readers learn about cerebral palsy, determination of Palestinians, and refusing to settle.  From her goals of being an actress, comedian, dancer, winner of the EGOT, the reader sees how having a dream and determination is often not enough, but refusing to let others define you is something that you should always fight.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I particularly love the determination and dedication Maysoon’s dad has to her care and health. Their relationship is shown to be constant and I think as a result pushes back on numerous stereotypes. I also like that glimpses of Palestine, both historical and her own time their with family is shown and credited with her strength and determination.  I just can’t figure out why nothing showing her practicing Islam, or seeing her obstacles through an Islamic lens is included, and if it is because she doesn’t, then why the repetitive use of the “Muslim” label and the flagship book in a Muslim centered series by a Muslim imprint? sigh.

Dec13

40 Hadiths for Children by Yasmin Ayub illustrated Sabahat Hareem

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40 Hadiths for Children by Yasmin Ayub illustrated Sabahat Hareem

My first thought when I received this book is that it is tiny and will get lost on the shelf, but the prodding of a friend encouraged me to give it a chance, and subhanAllah, it is a delightfully well done book that I now nightly read with my kids, reread myself, and have floating around so that my teenagers also thumb through the contents within.  Divided into four sections: Good Actions, Good Character, Worship, and Daily Life, each two page spread has an attributed hadith in Arabic with English translation opposite a page giving some relatable context, scenarios and further explanation, along with tips to put the hadith into practice.  The sweet illustrations break up the text, making it enticing to read and easy to consume.  The writing is on level for elementary, but not condescending for older readers, and the organization makes the book easy to spend time with in a variety of settings at home, school, or at masjid activities.

I particularly enjoy that the messaging is on level for today’s children in an appropriate and relatable tone.  For example, the page encouraging the covering of faults makes it clear that if someone tries to harm you or others, you should tell and NOT cover that, which is so important.  That the author is a teacher shines through throughout as little tidbits such as that allow the book to be shared independently, and don’t require that an adult provide the context and discussion for the hadith included.  I find that when I read the pages as written, my children speak after, and I get to listen. They don’t seem to have any further questions, but rather want to share what they have done or can be better at, which speaks to a book well done, alhumdulillah.

As for the “tips,” they are a mix of more generic, but on point, and some are very specific such as the visiting the sick allowing the child to immediately put into action certain behaviors, and allowing others to be regularly worked at and contemplated.

Nov17

Muzoon: From Refugee to Leader by Muzoon Almellehan illustrated by Asma Enayeh

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Muzoon: From Refugee to Leader by Muzoon Almellehan illustrated by Asma Enayeh

Such a delight to see Muzoon’s story coming to children in the West in the form of a Step into Reading Biography. The approachable format aimed at second and third graders reading paragraphs tells Muzoon’s story with quotations from her middle grade biography, Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out.  From her life with extended family, playing soccer, studying and enjoying Ramadan, to the changes that turned her country unsafe and forced them to become refugees. It follows her to refugee camps trying to find routine and hope and the role education and encouraging other’s to study plays in her life.  Eventually her activism and efforts catch the attention of UNICEF and today she works as a UNICEF Global Goodwill Ambassador and travels the world advocating for education and refugees and rebuilding Syria.

Divided into eight chapters, the 48 page book shows how relatable Muzoon’s life is and how the political events forced her family to abandon all they knew.  The presentation, in both the text and the illustrations, show the unexpected and hardships Muzoon and her family face as they make their way to the refugee camps and work to adjust. The book is not graphic, but the weight is conveyed as readers also see the power education and learning has in providing hope and opportunity. In a fictional story, a protagonist using their voice for the good of society is something to cheer, to see it from a real life person in the middle of a war, is something to admire and be inspired by.

I particularly like the inclusion of Ramadan in the story and the details showing her family joyfully gathering to break their fast together, as well as conveying some details about the Islamic holiday.

Nov16

Shining Hearts: Sahabah Stories for Kids by Marium Uqaili illustrated by Mirha Asim

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Shining Hearts: Sahabah Stories for Kids by Marium Uqaili illustrated by Mirha Asim

This book contains ten Sahabah stories, five males and five females, conveyed over 121 large 9×12 pages in an easy engaging manner for elementary aged children.  The stories are told one at a time, with simple illustrations, easy to read font, and pullouts featuring engaging blurbs that increase understanding, connection, or challenge the reader to think about something further.  The conversational tone and breaking of the fourth wall helps keep the readers interested while focusing on engaging bits and not a Sahabah’s entire biography.  Inclusion of hadith and ayats and seeing that a named Shaykh has written the forward really makes this book a great one to have in one’s home to read at story time, and to keep on the shelf as a resource. 

The Sahabahs included are: Mus’ab Bin Umair, Salmaan Al-Faarisiy, Abu Dharr Al-Ghifaariy, Jafar Bin Abi Talib, Bilal Ibn Rabaah, Sumayyah Bint Khayyat, Safiyyah Bint Abdil Muttalib, Asma Bint Abi Bakr, Umm Ayman (Baraka Bint Tha’laba) Lubabah Bint Al-Harith, may Allah swt be pleased with all of them.  The first page of each section has the Sahabahs name and one line description before the story begins.  Each section concludes with a dua to Allah swt to make us like the Sahabah we have just learned about in a specific way.  The pages about the Sahabah contain what they are most known for, some attributes about them, and function as a snapshot for young children to grow familiar with these “super heroes” and how we can emulate them in our own lives.

The tone is similar to the staple Migo and Ali Prophet Stories, and proves how desperate we are for Islamic texts that appeal to our children (and how few quality English resources we have).  The pictures aren’t great, but they are sufficient, and I appreciate that there are no faces or depictions. Even an image that could be seen as Sumayyah (rA) has an arrow saying “your grandmother” so there is no confusion. The binding is a bit weak, I was warned before starting, so I read the first few times for review and picture purposes at a table, before handing to my children and reading to my youngest at bedtime.  I’d encourage wrapping the book in contact paper upon receiving it. I appreciate all the letters of approval at the start, and the simple activities at the end, and am impressed overall with the book and how it engaged my children, alhumdulillah.  

Oct29

Here’s Our Religion by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Dasril Iqbal Al Faruqi

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Here’s Our Religion by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Dasril Iqbal Al Faruqi

This HUGE 14 page board book is such an engaging, teachable, and shareable book for toddler to early elementary aged children.  Similar to the author’s First Words in the Qur’an I can see this book being shared at story times and in classrooms regularly.  Each two page spread is literally a board book in and of itself.  With headings of: Ummah, Shahadah/Qur’an, Salah, Ramadan, Zaqat/Sadaqa, Hajj, and Prophet Muhammad (saw)/ Sunnah, kids will be able to deduce from the pictures and simple captions how the details relate to the theme, learn new information, review what they already know, and delight in the illustrations.

I don’t know that I would sit down with a toddler or preschooler and just read the book straight through very often, but when I was doing multiple story times a week, I had planned books for every theme highlighted in this book. I would have loved to be able to pull it out after a few stories had been read and used it as a review, where I could point to a picture and the kids could holler out what the illustration was teaching.  The large size would have saved me from having to make story board pieces, and the critical thinking would encourage comprehension and retention.  Example: learning about salah, and then opening to the salah spread, kids could see the vacuuming child and decode that we pray in clean places, that the picture of four people praying together is to learn/remind/teach that it is better to pray together.  

 

 

Sep14

All the Ways to be Pretty by Shamaila Khan illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

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All the Ways to be Pretty by Shamaila Khan illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

The premise of this book is fabulous, an Islamic approach to internal beauty to counter the societal emphasis on external appearance, by drawing on the examples of Ai’shah (RA), Khadija (RA), Sumayyah (RA), Maryam (RA), Hajar (RA), and Rufaidah (RA), may Allah swt be pleased with them all.  The illustrations are decent, focusing on the girl understanding what her mother is saying and her imaging herself with those qualities.  The part that I struggled with, is I flipped through it before I started reading it, and the pages are often walls of text.  Additionally, I didn’t realize it is rhyming text over 34 pages.  SubhanAllah though, somehow, it works.  I can see this book being shared at preteen gatherings in masajids, homes, and schools everywhere.  The rhyme at times is forced and lacking, but the flow makes the walls of text zoom by and the information shared is not overwhelming and Alhumdulillah, it doesn’t stray too far from the central messaging. You could share it with younger readers, but I think it works best if the audience knows some of the women and facts highlighted, and the information shared is a mix of reminder and new tidbits urging further exploration. The publisher lists the reading age at 7-10 which is probably a good fit based on the amount of text, but the rhyme, mirrors at the end, and starting point of battling beauty standards on the screen and “Princess” messaging is a bit of a target audience disconnect, which is why I point it out so consumers are aware.

The book starts with a lengthy author’s note before the rhyming scene of a mother and daughter walking to school and discussing what the daughter would like to be.  The girl doesn’t answer a profession, but rather responds that she wants to be pretty, and gives some justifications.  The mother gently then encourages her not to just want to be pretty, but rather pretty smart, pretty wise, pretty brave, pretty pious, pretty resilient, and pretty kind, before concluding with the girl throughout the day thinking of how to be like them, and her mother, to earn Allah’s pleasure.  Each attribute is a two page spread with one of the historical women featured.  The book ends with a hadith and six mirrors with the characteristics beneath them.

I like that the book does not try to give an entire biography about the women featured.  I also like that Islamic references are also brought in, some explained some not. It is “Islamic fictionalized non fiction” it is meant for Muslims with Islamic framing, not just Muslim characters, and it has substance.  Lately so many self published or even Islamic published books seem to not feature Islamic foundational themes, and I realize how much I have missed reading books that do.  Yes, I normally would have a solution to offer as to how to make the pages less text filled and I know I should say that maybe it shouldn’t rhyme, because it makes for some awkward phrasing, over explaining, and useless lines, but alas, I have no suggestions.  We need books that present our Sahabas and Prophets in a manner that allow our kids to know them and think of them and emulate them. Alhumdulillah, I can see this book being read and shared and discussed, and that to me is a “pretty “good thing.