Category Archives: Picture book

Nov5

Allah Hears You and Me byZaheer Khatri and Yasmin Mussa illustrated by Fatima Zahur

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Allah Hears You and Me byZaheer Khatri and Yasmin Mussa illustrated by Fatima Zahur

With 24 thick pages, this 6 x 7.5 inch board sound book follows a young boy on his search for his missing bird. Audio buttons compliment the rhyming lines, with some giving Islamic phrases, In-sh-Allah, Subhan-Allah, and Al-hamdu-lillah, and others animal sounds, as the young boy asks various animals if they have seen his beloved Birdie.  The active searching while trusting Allah swt and knowing that Allah swt hears us, the book, spoiler, has a happy ending, as more duas are made.   I like that the structure is intentional, so our littlest Muslims can appreciate the pattern, repetition, and anticipate when to push the button for the sound. With solid messaging, fun illustrations, and mercifully an on/off switch for the book’s audio, this book will quickly be a favorite for little Toddlers and their big people alike.

 

 

Oct23

The Kaabah Cat by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrated by Nabila Adani

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The Kaabah Cat by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrated by Nabila Adani

If you only pre-order one book this year, it should be this one. If you have never pre-ordered a book, this book should be your first. If you regularly pre-order, don’t miss out on this one, even if you do not have young children, but especially if you do. Am I biased? Absolutely, but the story, the illustrations, the theme, the heart…40 pages fly by and leave readers of ALL ages wanting to dive back in, to be close to the Kaabah, to be searching for cats, and to journey for Umrah in real life.  This is why I love Islamic fiction. This is the power of stories, to entertain and educate, but also bring us closer to our creator. SubhanAllah, this book is truly a gift to us all, and that it is traditionally published and widely available just another example of Allah swt being the writer or our rizq and that no dua is too big of an ask, Alhumdulillah.

Zayd and his parents are heading to Mecca for Umrah, and with the knowledge that duas are answered, he cannot wait to ask for a cat.  When one appears before the words are even out of his mouth, Zayd is delighted to chase his new Kaabah cat down to take home and play with.  Dad has to deflate the dream with a dose of reality though, and as the steps of Umrah carry the story along, we see him work through his emotions and have his duas answered in a way better than he ever imagined.


I love that Muslim kids will see themselves so clearly and unapologetically in this book, and non Muslims will relate to wanting something with their whole heart and realizing that there might be something better than they ever even considered waiting for them.  Additionally, with a solid three page backmatter opening the book up to educational avenues, author connection, and insight, sweeping illustrations complete with Palestine, Syria and Sudan flag rep in the crowds, and Shaykh Abdul Rahman Chao named at the start as verifying the Islamic accuracy, this book is a must have to share and enjoy over and over again.

Oct21

That Counts! A Wudu Story by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Ava Haghighi

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I love funny books for our little Muslims and this one manages to take the kid giggling topic of passing gas and combine it with the educational element of making wudu and what breaks it, in an adorably illustrated way.  Mercifully it does not get too “gross” with discussing fluctuance and I absolutely adore that the imam is so patient and kind.  Over 32 pages we see Hamza and his friends make wudu, Hamza break his wudu and have to make it again and Imam Mustafa field questions about what counts as breaking wudu and what doesn’t.  Perfect for toddlers and early elementary kids learning the basics and reviewing the infractions, my only criticism is the wasting of paper towels.  The book is not a manual, and feels like a story, not a fictionalized how-to, but part of wudu is not wasting water, and the amount of paper towels Hamza appears to use in the illustrations is wasteful.  The book works great on its own, but I hope if discussion about wudu and manners and bodily functions does take place around the sharing of this story, that not wasting will also be part of the discussion.  Perhaps if the author sees this, she might even consider adding a line to balance the Imam telling Hamza to use a paper towel after the first making of wudu, and reminding him not to waste paper, and water, after the second trip to the wudu station.  And while I’m making imaginary requests, a pullout wudu poster like the one in Hamza’s masjid would also be a great addition in the future.

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.