Category Archives: Picture book

Sep2

Never Again, For Anyone by Stacy Friedman illustrated by Elly Stern

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Never Again, For Anyone by Stacy Friedman illustrated by Elly Stern

I am not Palestinian and I am not Jewish. I am human with a heart and have known and spoken out from a very early age that the treatment of Palestinians at the hands of Zionists is a genocide, but that does not make me able to decide how to evaluate anything but the literary elements of this book, and I definitely can’t tell Palestinians or Jews how it should be received.  The 40 page picture book is OWN voice by a Jewish author that “supports Palestinian liberation” and is illustrated by an “anti-Zionist Jew from Israel-Palestine.” It is framed as a conversation between a young boy and his mom after school, as they see a Pro Palestinian rally, prepare for Shabbat, recall what Lev’s great grandmother Bubbie experienced during the Holocaust, establish the parallels between that time and the plight of the Palestinians, and decide that “Never Again, for Anyone” means they need to join the movement for a free Palestine.  I like that the reader is taken along the journey from awareness to activism, I think most young readers though, will need some assistance in connecting some of the dots, and some additional understanding about the Holocaust.

I understand the framing is under the famous pledge and the controversy of, if it means never again for anyone or just never again for Jews, but I still struggle to understand why even with the more expansive view, the recognizing of the atrocities happening to Palestinians is built on the fact that because it happened to us, it shouldn’t happen to others.  Why isn’t it enough that we are all human and shouldn’t treat people like this period?  That being said, I don’t pretend to know the societal, religious, cultural and ingrained norms that have to be overcome for a Jewish person to denounce Zionism and openly speak up and speak out on behalf of Palestine.

A common discourse about speaking on Palestine is why do we listen more to non Palestinians than to the Palestinians themselves, and to this I can only offer that I did not take this as trying to take away from that voice, but rather offer why Jews should speak up against Zionism in support of freedom and life.  Am I glad this book exists? Absolutely. Do I pray that the more awareness, the more allies, and the more normative we can make it that the call for a Free Palestine is not against Jews but against Zionism the better, yes, but my opinion is only my own, and my thoughts on this are not those of a Palestinian or a Jew.

Jun19

Eldar & Elnur Story of the Stolen Homes by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri

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Eldar & Elnur Story of the Stolen Homes by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri


The intent of this 22 page book, to increase solidarity and bring awareness about Palestinians being forced from their homes, is admirable; Having the characters at a museum to see a virtual reality exhibit about this, is a unique to way convey the story to the readers. But yikes, the early pages are walls of text, and the positioning of the kids and their families going to the museum is really wordy and hinders readers connecting with the information to come. An editor should have been consulted, and the text condensed and simplified. Once the “Story of the Stolen Homes” begins, the text slowly reduces, and with Islamic teachable moments worked in, the book does leave one satisfied at the end, it just takes some perseverance and encouragement to young children to get there. The book is not OWN voice, as neither the author nor illustrator are Palestinian.

The story starts with the twins and their parents, joined by their cousin from Indonesia, heading to see a virtual reality exhibition on stolen homes in Palestine. They meet their hologram tour guide Reem, and she begins with the first stop of her home, al-Khalil. She talks about Masjid al-Aqsa and asks the kids about the other two holy sites for Muslims. They discuss olives and how the home was stolen.

The next stop is Gaza, where a once beautiful garden is killed when water is stolen, and a well poisoned. The final home stolen, is Reem’s school. The story ends with urging the children, and readers, to always be grateful to Allah swt as Jannah is the home awaiting us all inshaAllah.





May9

Super Nani and Captain Yaz by Saira Shah illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama

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Super Nani and Captain Yaz by Saira Shah illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama

This 40 page picture book shows a grandma and grand daughter, not really overcoming, but make progress by putting in effort to connect despite language limitations through doll making and imaginative play. The dupatta wearing Nani comes to visit Yazmin for the first time, and once the excitement settles, Yaz comes to understand that Nani only speaks Punjabi and not English like Yaz. A bit of a stretch that Yaz wouldn’t know this about her grandma, but the overall sweetness of the story overcomes some of the weaker plot elements. And bolstered by the engaging and bright illustrations, the book does make for an enjoyable read and springboard for modeling thinking outside the box to make connections. I do appreciate the cultural rep, and the mention in passing that “Captain Yaz fights battles to save the world…even at the mosque.” I additionally like that there are directions in the backmatter for “How to make your own Superhero Rag Doll,” as well as a map of Punjab, a glossary, and “A Note from the
Author.”

Yaz wakes up to the news that her Nani is coming to visit for three months as dad stirs the curry and mom hangs bunting. In preparation Yaz puts on a shelwar kameez, has her hair braided, and mehndi applied. Once Nani arrives and doesn’t understand Yaz’s superhero explanations, it becomes clear to Yaz, that there is a problem. The two, meeting for the first time, do not share a common language. As the days pass, the excitement drains and quietness takes over.

Then Nani is sewing one day, and together the two of them make a rag doll, “Captain Yaz.” The doll becomes the catalyst for adventure and exchanging words in Punjabi, even when Nani has to go back to her home. The two find a way to keep in touch, and Super Nani joins the mix.

This book reminds me of so many Ramadan books that have the protagonist wake up wondering why the house is decorated and the family is up eating when it is dark outside. Similarly, I find it a bit odd that Yaz knew no Panjabi and didn’t know her Nani didn’t speak any English, that the family is cooking and decorating for her sudden (?) visit. The family doesn’t even make a trip to the airport, Nani just knocks on the door. I also wish there was some Islam or cultural grounding, I was very surprised they went to the mosque, it honestly felt a bit out of place. I’m probably overthinking, but by the same token I do like that the two of them, Nani and Yaz, just needed to find a way to engage with one another, the love was never in question, and distance and language were ultimately just minor obstacles.

May6

Counting Up the Olive Tree: A Palestine Number Book by Golbarg Bashi illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

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Counting Up the Olive Tree: A Palestine Number Book by Golbarg Bashi illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

I love the idea of this book: kids saving a tree by working together, set in Palestine and calling for freedom, homage to “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” the girls’ soccer/football team providing reinforcements,  but alas the words are muddled, the rhyme painfully forced, and the counting of players in positions, a little awkward. I think the point is fun with numbers, but a little plot of why the woodcutter is called to cut the tree, or who hired him, and thus why he feels the burden of apologizing, would have really gone a long way to make the book cohesive. I also wish the backmatter was more about Palestine and the destruction of trees rather than the lengthy bios of the author and illustrator.  With a little telling of the story and not reading the words as written, editing as you go, and some practice, the book can make for a decent read aloud and provide teachable moments about Palestine, teamwork, resisting, and soccer.  If you really work to sell it,  the book and the numbered soccer players can also be a bit of silliness and fun too.

The book starts horrendously.  The first page, or rather the first two lines should have been the inscription and the third line completely removed, as the first page makes no sense.  Had the story started with the second page and the “let’s play ball” sentiment, readers wouldn’t immediately be confused and off put going in to the story.  “Someone silly once said: ‘Kids don’t have fun when their trees are gone,’ but that’s just silly,” un no that isn’t silly, it is actually the point of the book.

The remainder of the book is in fact the soccer/football team climbing up the tree to keep the woodcutter, who is sleeping, from chopping down their olive tree when he wakes. Eleven players going up to protect, and with the girls team joining that makes 22.  Two goalies, a whole slew of defenders, and forwards, and midfielders, and when the woodcutter awakes, he has a whole lot of people to apologize to.

As to why the woodcutter was there, why the change of heart, why the need to apologize, why there is only one tree in the first place, and why the kids love this tree, sigh, we will never know.  Free Palestine, though, and Save the Trees.

The book is not OWN voice for the author nor illustrator, and there is no religion in the book save a few hijabs in the illustrations and a masjid and church lingering in the background.

Apr17

Doppaland: The World Where They Found Themselves by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri

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Doppaland: The World Where They Found Themselves by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri

This 42 page book follows a tried and true method of kids being swept away by some magical object to a distant land to have an adventure and share with the reader what they learn. In this case it is twins Eldar and Elnur being taken from their apartment in Paris to their parents’ Ugghur homeland when they put on their doppas, Ugghur hats, that in this book have magically come to life in the night. The doppas transport the children to the Silk Road to show them and tell them about the people and traditions in Hotan, the Taklamakan Desert, Kashgar, Ghulja, the Ili River, Turpan, and the Altai Mountains. The characters are Muslim and Islam is present throughout the pages. The literary elements are fairly basic, but as far as I know this is the first and only OWN voice Ugghur picture book, and Alhumdulillah it exists. The book provides an easy way to introduce some of the culture, geography, language, and traditions to early elementary aged children. The illustrations are engaging and equally informative, and I appreciate the glossary in the back. I just wish there was a map and some information about the persecution of the community to further highlight why familiarity and support of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Northwest China is so important.

When culture day approaches the twins ask their parent’s for something from their weten to share, and mom gifts them doppas. The kids make duas that they can one day go to their parents’ homeland and see what it looks like. Awoken by a soft noise in the night, the twins, and their cat, find the doppas glowing, and talking, and ready to take them to Doppaland.

The trio, Mushuk goes too, say Bismillah and are off. They fly over Paris, and discuss how they have been mistaken for Japanese as their Turkic ethnicity is diverse and rich.  In Hotan, an oasis near the desert, they see weavers wearing little doppas called telpik.

When they reach the Taklamakan Desert they hear music from the rawap, dap, and chang.  They see hunters living the sunnahs of horse back riding and staying strong to “defend their land if needed.”

In “Kashgar, the centre of knowledge,” they spend time at the library and marvel at all the languages the Ugghurs speak.

Their adventures continue as they learn how in Ghulja they greet with salaam by placing their hand on their heart, and enjoy the fruit in Turpan and the families picking grapes together.

After seeing a snow leopard in the Altai Mountains, they return home wondering if it was all a dream, but eager to share their knowledge with their classmates on Culture Day.

Mar3

My Super Fun Niqabi Mum! by Red illustrated by Abz Hakim

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My Super Fun Niqabi Mum! by Red illustrated by Abz Hakim

This large 10 x 10 inch, 24 page rhyming normalization and celebration of niqab, is loads of fun. Seriously, the book is delightfully told by a child with full confidence and love for his amazing mom who wears niqab.  The book does not go into why she wears it, but addresses some of the stereotypes as it smashes through them.  The book is meant for toddlers, but is such a good reminder for Muslims and non Muslims that what you see on the outside, is just a tiny piece of all that a person is, feels, and is capable of.  I do wish there was some Islam in the book, or mention that she wears it outside her home, as the illustrations show her wearing it all the time, but I get that, that would overly complicate such a joyous concept book. There is a scannable QR code to hear the audiobook included, and no faces are shown in the illustrations.

The book is really just rhyming lines of a little boy proclaiming how fabulous his niqabi mom is, and what she does that makes her amazing like all moms.  It does empower that what she wears is her choice and does not limit her, and that he recognizes that she is different.  But there is no apologizing or over explaining, which keeps the tone exactly where it should be for praising of his dragon slaying, mountain climbing mom, who happens to wear niqab, and doesn’t mind when people ask her how she eats (but no, it doesn’t answer that question).

So good to see niqab being celebrated in a picture book through the lens of a mother and her child.

Mar2

The Swallows of the Cube House by Sana Kamyar illustrated by Azam Vazehi

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The Swallows of the Cube House by Sana Kamyar illustrated by Azam Vazehi

With vibes of a folktale or myth, the imaginative story of how the swallows took up residence at the Kaaba is a sweet story with beautiful illustrations.  How the story actually reads though, is a bit awkward for me.  Told from the personified perspective of a swallow, it seemed a little odd that the names of the birds: Redbreast, Skytail, Whitewing, did not start appearing until page 12, the Kaaba is never named, and there really isn’t any religion articulated. The language is lyrical, which conveys the emotions of some of the worshippers that the swallows see, but also leaves it all so very vague.  The birds giggle and laugh (yes the word giggle appears frequently), happy that they found a new home that is like the mountains, the beach, and cities, this, along with kids playing, are the main takeaways, not even hinting that the Kaaba is a place that has everything to fill one’s heart or that the acts are being done in worship to Allah swt.  The culmination of it I felt needed to be stronger, why the swallows too are circling the house of Allah, swt, but it once again is so vague, and the final page breaking the fourth wall, unfortunately just seems unnecessary, it could have been done better with informative backmatter.

The book starts with a swallow telling the reader that, “One day it finally happened.”  Not sure what it is, the story then tells how the swallows fly from location to location liking certain aspects of the mountains and coast and forest and cities, and how being in one place though, makes them miss the other places.  They come to the “cube house” and all there needs are met by the sounds, the tears, the giggles, the playing of children, etc. and so they stay.

I could see the book being a decent starting point for discussion if it crossed in to talking about how animals worship the creator, or if it gave any backmatter about swallows and their environmental or migratory tendencies, so that readers could appreciate them settling in Makkah, or even if it talked about the parts of hajj or umrah, but as just a story imaging why they settled where they did, to me feels a little short.  That it is based on a real flock of birds is amazing and I just don’t think the text gets readers to truly appreciate it, and the illustrations, while wonderful, can’t do it all on their own.

 

Feb28

A Good Morning for Giddo by Dahlia Hamza Constantine and Irene Latham illustrated by Basma Hosam

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A Good Morning for Giddo by Dahlia Hamza Constantine and Irene Latham illustrated by Basma Hosam

Hold on, it is Friday morning, not super early, the sun is up, Giddo and Somaya stop in to visit a friend and when the athan is called from multiple minarets, the men pause to pray in his shop? At the end of the book, it is still morning, the parents are in their pajamas, so um, WHAT SALAT WAS THAT? Why mention that it is Friday if they are not going to salatul Jummah? Yeah, I review from an Islamic perspective, I know this is not the point or plot or theme of the book, but it is an early detail in a 32 page picture book, and I’m having a hard time getting past it, clearly. The book is beautifully illustrated by a Muslim, and the cultural story is by one Egyptian and one author who has visited Egypt, so I have no reason to question the OWN voice accuracy, but none-the-less, it doesn’t make sense and makes me wonder why we can’t get basic Islamic rep correct in a picture book.  The story itself is a shout out to Egyptian culture showing calligraphy, tourism, mosaic handicrafts, tentmaking, friendships amongst people of different religions, a sweet grandfather and grand daughter relationship, all in their morning quest to get to the tentmakers at the market. The plot unravels though at the end for me, I think it sounds good to have SPOILER Somaya need a little help with her surprise birthday gift for her Giddo, but it seemed rushed in its conclusion for as flowy as the build up was. And that she needed help with a final knot, seemed a little weak of a premise for the urgency to get to the tentmakers at all. I know I’m being picky, but sensitivity readers exist precisely for these details, and it should not go unchecked.  The end has a “Glossary” and a “More About Ancient Egyptian Arts” section, but I really was hoping for something about the one upping thread of greeting that is present throughout the book, “good morning,” “good morning with roses,” good morning with roses and jasmine,” etc. as I think that is a tidbit of Arab culture that readers will wonder about while reading, but maybe not quite fully grasp.

The book starts with Somaya rushing into the kitchen to great her Giddo and get to the tentmakers with him.  Her grandfather though is not in any real hurry.  They head in to the old market, taking in the sights an sounds and then head in to Hajj Mohammed’s shop.  He has been sad since his son moved, and after he encourages her to write, and he and Giddo pray (not sure why Somaya does not join them), they are back in the market heading toward the tentmakers.  But first they wave to Ismail on his bike, and then stop in “for only one minute” to have tea with Ostaz Gergis and Mariam and see their abalone inlays.

When they finally reach the tentmakers in the market, it is revealed that Giddo is a most respected tentmaker, and when someone asks him a question, Somaya uses the distraction to get help with a final knot on a piece she has been working on.  The pair head home and are greeted with Mama and Baba holding a cake and wishing Giddo a happy birthday. Somaya gifts her piece to her grandfather and proclaims that she too is now a tentmaker.

The story is sweet, the illustrations adorable, it just needed a lit more polishing, some tweaking to get the Islam right, and more fleshing out of the ending, so that it felt satisfying and not rushed.

 

Feb20

Just Right Ramadan by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Ava Haghighi

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Just Right Ramadan by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Ava Haghighi

This 44 page picture book is delightfully illustrated and oh so relatable.  As we are still early in the month of Ramadan, my large family at least, is still working out routines, and this book was reflective of the joy, the struggle and the determination to take advantage of it all. Yes, in Ramadan we need to push our selves, to pray more, read more Qur’an, be more generous, more kind, but when you have kids of all ages, it can take some constant rebalancing so there is minimal waste, enough time at suhoor, adequate sleep to drive and function safely, encouraging the littles to fast just a little bit longer each day, setting some boundaries about going to Tarawih every night if they start to crash out and make it hard on the others.  At times the story is a little overboard, but the heart really does open the door to discussions in finding what works for your family. My 6 year old and I laughed, talked, and have found ourselves referencing this book a lot as we strive each day to increase our ibadah and hopefully at the end be able to say, we had a “just right Ramadan.”

The book starts with a family setting goals, making plans and checklists to get the most out of the blessed month.  They don’t always agree, and even the most well intentioned plans are often harder to actually put in to practice.  The Zareen family made treats for their neighbors, but enjoyed a few too many themselves, they want to wake up early for suhoor, but waking up too early makes them have to wait a long time for fajr and waking up late means they are rushing.  A little like Goldilocks and the Three Bears finding one extreme or the other unsuitable and settling for something in the middle, the family has to navigate how much food to prepare, how much to drink before tarawih, how late into the night to worship, and ultimately find what works for them.

The tone is light and sweet and doesn’t tell the reader what they should do.  It shows a family finding balance while striving to take advantage of the blessings of the month, and hopefully will encourage the readers to do the same.  I like that story is a different take on the month, that the kids are right there with their parents, there is no first fast or identity stresses, no searching for the moon, so for me and my kids the book stands out as being silly, relatable, and unique, a combination that is increasingly hard to find in holiday books, alhumdulillah.

Feb15

Too Soon for the Moon by Ayshah Ismail illustrated by Rizkia Gita

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Yep, another story about the moon, at least this one attempts humor and doesn’t completely neglect religion. So as I write this, I’m reminding myself that most folks don’t read as many Ramadan and Eid books as I do, and thus won’t be comparing or rolling their eyes at the familiar plot points. The book is for the younger crowd, as its premise is that it is too soon in the day to see if the moon is shining to indicate that Ramadan is over and Eid is here.  The little boy also doesn’t know what the crescent moon looks like, so Mama tells him it is like a smile and draws a curved line in the flour as she bakes.  With that, Khalid is off looking for the moon, and being told that it is too soon to see it whenever he mistakes something else for the moon, clearly not knowing what they mean by “too soon.”  I do like that Khalid and his Baba go to the mosque to pray, but I’m again wondering why everyone at the mosque praying maghrib does not look for the moon as a community.  There was a similar book I reviewed with the same exact premise and this same exact oversight, it also really stretched out the time window available to see the moon, which has me wondering if it is not the same for us all? I do like that the book comes full circle and he does find the moon in a funny place, spoiler, reflecting on the ground in a puddle.  I also like that there is a scannable QR Code for a free audiobook version and that it gets creative with not depicting faces.

The book starts with Khalid helping Mama bake baklava in the kitchen asking about the Eid moon.  Concluding that the sooner it is found, the sooner they can enjoy the treats and gifts, he is determined to find it.  The holiday lights outside obscure his view with Baba, so he heads up to his sister’s room for a better vantage point, but the cat’s collar reflecting is all he sees out the window, the glint of his aunt’s bowl back down in the kitchen also doesn’t help him find the moon, and they all keep telling him that it is “too soon.”

Baba and Khalid head to the mosque to pray, it is still too soon to see the moon, and when they are done, it is raining.  A sad Khalid sits dejected, but when the clouds part and the moon’s reflection hits the puddle, the joy of seeing the Eid moon finds the protagonist, and all is well.

The large 10 x 10 size makes the book suitable for bedtime or story time, and while it might have been better as a board book with a premise of a child not knowing what the moon looks like and where to find it. I found it more troubling that the rest of the family and masjid community didn’t take looking for the moon more serious.