Category Archives: Picture book

Oct13

The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community by Ibtikhaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali illustrated by Hatem Aly

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The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community by Ibtikhaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali illustrated by Hatem Aly

The third and final book in the standalone series is finally out and I absolutely love that Islam, salat, and the masjid are front and center. Faizah is once again brought to life through the incredible illustrations that provide all the emotional beats and make the book memorable.  The story though is only just ok, to be honest, it is clunky and disjointed.  I have read the book a half a dozen times to myself and twice aloud and I do not understand the Eid story line.  I doesn’t fit the themes of fitting in, being a leader, being bold, it just seemed to be there to motivate a white hijab being purchased, and it was very distracting to the cadence and continuity of the story. Every time Faizah is self reflecting on her fear, suddenly a conversation about Eid with a friend named Sophie disrupts the story. Even the refrain that “Bravery grows in your mind.  But its roots are in your heart,” sounds lovely, but is never explained or developed, so what are you to water it with? What are the right reasons?  I’m sure most will be fine with the concepts and presentation and not be bothered, but this book is an auto buy for Muslims and non Muslims alike, and while I appreciate the packaging, I wish the story itself was more, well “Bold.”

The book starts with Faizah going to Jummah with her mom and sister, and loving being part of the crowd, she then goes to fencing and loves being part of the crowd, “it feels right.  I feel right,” she says.  But then the coach calls her name and she starts to worry.  She doesn’t like when people stare at her, she worries she did something wrong. The coach has already reminded her to “saber first, then move forward,” so I’m not sure why she worries after if she did something wrong, it is a class, reminders and corrections are what happen in a class.

Then on Sunday, the trio is back at the masjid for salat before Asiya’s fencing lesson.  The coach asks Faizah if she wants to come in for extra practice before the tournament.  Faizah isn’t planning on participating in the tournament though and would rather think about Eid.  Thinking about getting together in the future with Sophie to pick out Eid clothes, is more fun than fencing.  The reader doesn’t know when Eid is, or why Faizah seemed to break into a day dream when asked about fencing.  Furthermore the reader doesn’t feel the worry of being in a competition because Faizah is not shown to be worried.

Later that night Asiya teaches Faizah the moves she learned and Faizah practices alone.  There is then a two page spread that I do not understand, on one page she is saying, “When no one is watching, I ‘m the best fencer in the world,” three lines later it says Even when others are watching, I can do it.  I can be the best.”  What happened in between? I get the following line, “but it’s hard to be my best when I have to stand out to do it,” but the the line in the middle makes no sense.  What is the point of the book if she can do it and knows it at the mid point?  And no, I’m not reading an arc, I checked out this copy from the library.

The family is back at the masjid on Friday and reassuring Faizah as they head to fencing, that she can do it even when people are watching, that bravery will come.  She hasn’t been nervous at class before, and hasn’t signed up for the tournament, so why is she suddenly uncomfortable, when at the start she loved fencing class as she felt she fit in.

Then it is Saturday, and Sophie finally comes, but not to prepare for Eid, just to discuss, how they will prepare for Eid.  At least now we know it will be next week. The next Friday, I know I feel like a calendar should have been included, it is fencing class again and Faizah is called up to demonstrate.  She finds her strength and she is shy, but realizes they are not just looking at her, but looking at what she can do.  She is leading, she is helping, she is being brave.

Finally it is Sunday, and Sophie and Faizah are at the hijab shop, and Faizah picks a white hijab because it matches the fencing clothes, and she is going to the tournament.

Yeah, sorry I spoiled it, I just really am sad that the book wasn’t as great as it could have been.  It connected the dots eventually, but not in a memorable way, and for the team responsible for this book, it really could and should have been amazing.

Oct6

My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya

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My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya

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I love that this author illustrator traditionally published book shows the ways that olive trees and their fruit connect people.  The little girl, Salam, can’t wait to grow her very own tree, but it takes a while, and when it finally sprouts, it is trampled by soldiers.  Heartbroken to lose her plant, her community shows her how they are like their beloved olive trees: their roots are deep, and they are a part of the land.  The tender illustrations, the poignant symbolism, and the love and unity that radiates through, makes this book an important read for children and adults of all ages and backgrounds.  There are no countries mentioned in the text (Palestine appears only in the author’s note), nor any religion, there are visible Muslims in the illustrations, even the soldiers are unnamed, but the setting is clear.  Picture books take years to be published and that it released at this point in history, shows how long the struggle for freedom has been taking place, and how strong and resilient Palestinians are.  This book that will be read over and over, shows even in the sadness, the feeling of hope abounds.

The book starts with Salam noting how old her grandpa is, and that only the olive trees are older than Sido.  Sido then explains to his granddaughter how the olive trees connect them all: farmed, picked, pressed, oil used to cook, olives sold to eat, added to dishes, and made into soap.  Salam goes to plant her seed and be part of the connection. She waters it and waits, but it doesn’t seem to be growing.

Finally a spout, and then a little plant, and then the soldiers march into their lands and destroy everything in their path, even Salam’s olive tree.  Sido reassures her that she will plant more olive trees in her lifetime, but Sido also wants to show her that she is not alone.  Friends, family, and neighbors, come together to show her, “just like the olive trees, when they try to break us, we grow back stronger.”

A truly beautiful hopeful book, subhanAllah.

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Oct5

Esma Farouk, Lost in the Souk by Lisa Boersenand Hasna Elbaamrani illustrated by Annelies Vandenbosch

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Esma Farouk, Lost in the Souk by Lisa Boersenand Hasna Elbaamrani illustrated by Annelies Vandenbosch

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This fun and silly picture book takes place in a Moroccan shopping center, where a visiting Esma Farouk, suddenly can’t find her mother.  Lost and tearful, the community comes together to help her out: from water carriers, to a man with a monkey, the acrobats, the fortune teller, the musicians, and even the snake charmer. Esma is encouraged to be brave and together they all put on a show, and reunite Esma, Mama, and Auntie Fatima.  There is no Islam, or any religion, in the text, but their are plenty of visible Muslims in the illustrations, in this OWN voice book inspired by the author’s memories of packing peanut butter and cheese on summer trips to visit family.

The book starts with Esma and her family heading to Morocco with their bags bursting with gifts, when they get there they are emptied and quickly refilled with the gifts their family is giving to them.  Esma wants to go to her favorite place, the souk, and Mama and Auntie Fatima are happy to take her.  Mama is in her new purple djellaba’ bargaining, and Esma is watching a snake charmed by music, when suddenly she realizes, Mama is not there.  Panic sets in, but Esma is quickly surrounded by kind strangers willing to help her find her family.

I enjoyed the illustrations and the love and joy and excitement that they brought to the text.  I have no way to know if the details are accurate, but I hope they are as my kids enjoyed going back and getting lost in them, even after the last page was read.  The sense of community and kindness is wonderfully portrayed and the action at the souk, makes it seem like a fantastic place that everyone should go and visit.

Sep17

Growing Giddo’s Hair by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Milton Bazerque

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Growing Giddo’s Hair by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Milton Bazerque

The latest batch of Ruqaya’s Bookshelf books have arrived at my house, and this was the first book my youngest picked to have read to him.  The book is silly, over the top and an easy read. The little boy shows initiative and creativity in trying to surprise his grandfather by sneakily applying hair regrowing serum on his Gido’s bald head.  It, as expected, causes a bit of mayhem, but I think 4-8 year olds will recognize the comedic intent of it all, as the love Nuh has for his Gido comes through the silliness.  I was a little surprised that it centered a birthday, it isn’t just the setting, it is the  main foundation of the book, and I was also a little surprised that the Muslim authored, Muslim published book, contained no Islam in the text.  The only featured Islam was the mom in hijab in the illustrations.

The book starts with Nuh trying to figure out what to get for his grandfather who is turning 70 in a week.  He contemplates a 70 layer cake with candles, 70 pairs of shoes, even a 70 flower bouquet, but nothing seems right until he stumbles on a picture of his grandfather years ago, when he had hair!  Later that night he sees a TV commercial for hair growth gel, and Nuh knows just what to get and can’t wait for the surprise.  Once it arrives, the biggest obstacle is getting it on Gido’s head without him noticing.  But Gido doesn’t stay still and the hair product has unintended results as it doesn’t just grow on one’s head.

The book in all its silliness, does offer a few “teachable moments” if desired: false advertising, lying, sneaking your parent’s credit card, etc..  My kindergartner thought it was silly, and enjoyed the illustrations.  For the most part so did I, although, the page of the razor shaving the hair on the tongue definitely makes me squirm and my tongue itch…yeah, my son found that pretty funny as well.

Sep14

Momo & Bronty’s first book about Prophet Muhammad (saw) by Zanib Mian illustrated by Laila Ramadhani

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Momo & Bronty’s first book about Prophet Muhammad (saw) by Zanib Mian illustrated by Laila Ramadhani

I’ve mentioned it numerous times over the years how few children’s books there are about Prophet Muhammad (saw), and I love that this new book by Zanib Mian is a wonderfully illustrated 14 page board book for toddlers introducing them to some of the basics about our beloved Rasulallah. Momo and his toy dinosaur Bronty are featured in the illustrations, but do not dominate the text, which keeps the focus on Prophet Muhammad (saw) being the last of Allah’s messengers sent to tell us Allah is One, that the salutation is said after his name, and that he is always smiling, truthful, and making duas for us all, his ummah. I read the book a few times to myself and stumbled over some of the short sentences, but oddly enough when I read it aloud to my kindergartner it flowed fine. I always read picture books aloud before writing my reviews, as I was taught to read my essays aloud in school before submitting them, to effectively find errors. So, I’m not sure why for this book, I stumbled when reading to myself, but not aloud, a first for everything I suppose. The last spread though I did benefit from reading beforehand, as the order of what text comes next is not clear on first look. The pictures contain a lot of accessible details and discussion points and even early elementary aged children will find themselves drawn to the book, the reminders, the messaging and the simple text.

The board book is not just a list of facts, but doesn’t have a plot either, it is somewhere in between as it stays on level and flows between ideas, keeping the readers engaged. It starts by explaining that Allah swt sent Prophet Muhammad to us, the Qur’an through him, the message he carried, and why we love him. It shows that he exemplifies what a Muslim is and gives some examples, it then highlights that “His face was more beautiful than the full shining moon” and that “he played with little ones and made them laugh.” It concludes with connecting us, his ummah, as being important to him as he knew “the message he brought from Allah,” would spread.

Aug22

Hilwa’s Gift by Safa Suleiman illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

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Hilwa’s Gift by Safa Suleiman illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

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I’ve read a few children’s picture books about harvesting olives, and even some about Palestine’s olives, but this one really stands out because it is just so very joyful.  There is information about picking the fruit, processing, and making soap and oil with olives, but the book’s take away is just sore cheeks from smiling, and a full heart from feeling the importance, love, and tradition of olives, family, and being together.  The text and illustrations combine beautifully allowing the story of Hilwa, the olive tree, Ali and his Seedo to say a lot without having to spell it all out. And that it is traditionally published at such a critical time, is truly a gift.  There is nothing religious in the text, there are a few #Muslimsintheillustrations, and the author is Muslim. Additionally there is nothing about the current situation, the politics, the upheaval, or the occupation. The book follows Ali as he arrives after a long journey to his Grandparent’s home, it is harvesting season and  he is about to see all of the gifts that come from olives with the guidance of his grandfather, the cheering of his cousins, and the offerings of his beloved Hilwa.

The book starts with Ali and his parents arriving exhausted after their long flight to Palestine.  Greeted by Seedo, when Ali sees Hilwa, the olive tree his grandfather planted with his grandfather, the tiredness disappears.  When he hears Sitty whacking the trees and his cousins singing, “Zaytoon, ya zaytoon.”  He is ready to help harvest.  But, he doesn’t want to hurt Hilwa and decides to pick the olives one by one.  After his arms are tired and the basket is empty, he gently tries the traditional method and makes the zaytoon rain down with his grandparents and cousins cheering him on.

Hilwa has many gifts, and the next day they load up the olives to be taken to the press, they then prepare and enjoy the olives being pressed in to oil.  They bring the oil home to cook with, eat, turn in to soap, and the pulp is used to build the fire.  The best gift of all however, is the family, friends, and neighbors gathering to share and be together.

I read an early copy, and hope that the beginning will be smoothed out a bit.  It actually read as if a page was missing.  If the family had just arrived from overseas, and the grandfather was so excited, why wouldn’t the grandmother and cousins also leave what they are doing to great the just arrived family? It seemed a bit off, but once the story recovered, the text and story flowed without incident, so perhaps the disjointedness has been resolved.

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It is so important to show the richness of cultures to those that might be unaware, for a culture that is relentlessly villainized, even more so.  This 40 page picture book is great for ages 3 and up, and while it doesn’t detail Palestinian culture, it highlights a central component and shows the vibrancy and warmth of a people and their relationship to the land and the importance of olives and olive trees.  There is a glossary at the end with words in English and written in Arabic scripts as well as an Author’s Note.

Aug13

Aisha’s Colors by Nabila Adani

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Aisha’s Colors by Nabila Adani

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On first glance it seems this 32 page picture book is going to focus on colors from the perspective of a little Muslim girl in Indonesia, but it isn’t a basic color book, in fact only three colors are even explored.  The book is also not religious, aside from the hijab wearing mother and grandmother in the illustrations. And the writing isn’t really noteworthy, but yet, the book is endearing, and I can’t wait for my physical copy to arrive so I can share it with my kids and some classes for story time. The book has a plot, a little girl wishing she was spending her summer vacation seeing and going fun place like her friends.  Instead she is going to her Grandma’s house, the same place they always go.  She throws a bit of a tantrum, and then cools off and gains some perspective.  It is sweet, it is realistic, it shows growth and life lessons of appreciating the beauty around you, and not worrying about other people, all without preaching or talking down to the reader in the simple text.  It is joyful and highlights bits of Indonesian culture with beautiful images by the author-illustrator, a solid addition on bookshelves for ages 3 and up.

The book starts with Aisha bemoaning that her friends are going to fun far away places over the holidays, and she is going where they always go, from their home in Jakarta, to their Grandma’s village.  She tells her parents about her friend Jennie going to see snow this year, and imagines the cold white crispness that she doesn’t know.  Her parents respond by taking her to get es campur.  

She then laments about Dimas floating in turquoise water looking up at a blue sky, to which her father encourages her to look out the window.  When their car breaks down, and Aisha is encouraged to go cool down after her tantrum, her mom works on fixing the car, and a sky of kites shakes Aisha’s melancholy mood.  By the time they arrive at Grandma’s Aisha is seeing her own vacation in a different way, surrounded by colors, love, and family.

The book warms your heart, Aisha is grumpy, but not annoying, and the yellow warmth of Grandma is palpable.  I wish a few more colors were included and more culture shown that way, and I stumbled repeatedly over a few awkward sentences, not that they were wrong, but they just didn’t seem to flow when read aloud.  Overall, a good book. Preorder today, it releases September 3, 2024. 

Aug2

Hawa Abdi by Emna Ennaifer illustrated by Anastasiia Bielik

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Hawa Abdi by Emna Ennaifer illustrated by Anastasiia Bielik

This picture book biography starts with Dr. Hawa Abdi being born in Mogadishu, Somalia and shares with readers pivotal moments that helped define her academic and humanitarian journey as Somalia’s first female gynecologist and the founder of the Doctor Hawa Abdi Foundation.  The large horizontal pages with brightly colored illustrations help draw the readers in to the often advanced vocabulary filled text.  According to the publishers, the book is meant for ages 5-9, but I think seven and up, with some assistance, will better understand some of the diction, accomplishments, and what made her such a globally recognized figure.  I was surprised that Islam, and her being a Muslim is not mentioned at all in the book.  I actually doubted my knowledge of her and when I finished the book, I Googled to verify her religious association.  The book starts with a map and concludes with actual photographs that are referenced, but none of the facts about Hawa Abdi or where the information came from are sourced.  While I appreciate that her story is being brought to children through this book, I feel sourcing should have been included, and as a book that is part of a series meant to highlight “inspiring people from the Arab-Muslim world,” I was disappointed that there was no Islam whatsoever articulated in the text.

The story begins by showing little Hawa as an independent girl walking miles alone to get water from the river.  She loved school and often “stayed after school to look at the terrestrial and celestial globes.”  When her mother was in the hospital, Hawa spent months staying with her and observing the doctors.  When her mother passed away she decided she would become a doctor.  She took care of her four little sisters, and studies hard, eventually earning a scholarship to study medicine in Kiev. Her family supported her and she was off to study, promising to return.  When she returned she set up a clinic that soon become a large hospital.  When war broke out her hospital became a village of hope as she took people in, started schools, and kept the inhabitants safe from intruders.

The book really focuses on Hawa becoming a doctor and a humanitarian, thus making any personal remarks about her generalized and lacking.  For example the jump from taking care of her siblings to getting a scholarship is very abrupt, the book doesn’t mention marriage or having children, her daughters are just suddenly there helping run the hospital.  As a result the timeline is non existent and readers don’t know how old she was when her mom died, how old she was when she went to Kiev, when the war started, etc..  With any biography certain facts undoubtedly must be left out, but even a timeline in the backmatter would have been beneficial. 

Jul9

Folktales for a Better World: Stories of Peace and Kindness by Elizabeth Laird illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

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Folktales for a Better World: Stories of Peace and Kindness by Elizabeth Laird illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

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The presentation, the tone, the vibe, the seven countries and stories selected, the illustrations and large size really make this book enjoyable.  With folktales from Ethopia, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, and Uighur, some contain Islam and Muslims, and some do not, but the messaging and lessons are for all.  Folktales are often used in classroom settings, and I appreciate that this book can be used in bits or all together.  Most of the selections are 6-8 pages, but contain large illustrations to help the readers engage with the lessons being conveyed. Having read a few books by the author, I think it is clear that the people represented in this collection is very intentional, and these old stories from the occupied, the oppressed, and the war torn in contemporary times, really show the universal humanity of stories, kindness and peace.

The introduction from the author sets the tone before the stories begin. The Dog Fight from Ethopia is a tale of conflict and perspective and pride.  Allah Karim from Sudan is trusting that Allah swt will provide, compassion for the homeless, and charity.  From Palestine, the folktale True Kindness shows the value of hospitality.  The Next Sultan from Yemen focuses on fairness and justice as does The Emir and the Angel from Afghanistan. From Syria the tale of The Woodcutter and the Lion focuses on friendship and being selfish, and finally The Nine Princesses of Kashgar, a Uighur story, shares a story of defending your land against occupiers.

Early elementary kids will enjoy the tales and relate to the lessons, they will get lost in the pictures, and recall the messages long after the book concludes.  This book reminded me of how few folktales I’ve read outside of teaching, and I look forward to sharing this at bedtime, story times, and gift it to teachers and librarians to do the same.  You can purchase the book here from Crescent Moon Store and save 10%.

Jun19

A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh illustrated by Aliaa Betawi

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A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh illustrated by Aliaa Betawi

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This 40 page OWN voice written and illustrated picture book for kindergarten to elementary, addresses the question and provides some answers that Palestinian diaspora children have faced for years, about the attempted erasure of Palestine by way of not labeling the country on maps.  The book does not name the occupiers, so hopefully it will avoid bans and censorship, as it does not shy away from articulating the taking of land, theft of homes, and renaming of villages.  The refrain is that “Palestine lives in you and me,” and that can never be taken away.  That the book stays on level and is traditional published is quite impressive for the contents contained. I love that their are resources as the beginning for adults to learn more, that Isha prayer is mentioned, The Proudest Blue is in an illustration, that rohi, omri and habibti are woven in, and the Author’s Note is detailed. 

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The book starts with little Falasteen at school, the class has a new map of the world and everyone is taking turns telling about where their families are from.  Let me pause here and say, this was my biggest, only real problem with the book, the illustration hints that the map is the rug, and the rug is just shapes of the continents, it is not a political maps that shows country boundaries, but I also read an e-arc so maybe something will change in the illustrations, but none-the-less, I note it here because it is the first page.  Moving on, when it is Falasteen’s turn she doesn’t see Palestine and when she asks her teacher, her teacher tells her, “I think there is no such place.” I wish I could say this is extreme, but I’ve been hearing similar conversations from friends for over 30 years, at least in the book the teacher isn’t mean about it, just ignorant, real life sadly, is often much more aggressive.  This is the catalyst though that prompts Falasteen to start asking her question.

When she gets home, she asks her Jido, who is tending the grape vines, why Palestine is not on the map, and he draws her a map to take to school the next day to share with her friends and teacher.  He tells her, her “teacher needs teaching.” Let me pause again her, I was initially a little surprised at this tone, and SPOILER that at the end it doesn’t circle back to her teaching her teacher and class, but on the second reading, I was glad for it.  No one should have to prove their existence, that is my bias of wanting to be accepted or palatable to an outside gaze.  Teachers all the time get asked something they don’t know and if it on topic will go and find an answer, to dismiss little Falasteen intentionally or out of ignorance regarding her home country, is not something that needs outside approval, or that needs to be proven.  Outside acceptance is not required in this example of reality. 

She then asks her Teta who is cooking in the kitchen, why Palestine is not on the map.  Teta tells her about when soldiers came with their tanks and guns, and burned their fields, and she had to leave with Falasteen’s mom in her arms to keep her safe.  She shows her the key that she keeps from her home that was taken, and how she longs to return.

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After Isha prayer, Falasteen asks her mother the same question.  Her Mama tells her that some places don’t need a map to be found, and that “Palestine lives in you and me.”  That even though Falasteen has never seen Palestine it is within her.  When she tells her mother that her teacher told her it doesn’t exist, her mom explains that those that say it doesn’t exist, that make the maps, cannot erase them, their memories, their culture. 

The remainder of the book is more hopeful and prideful of the places where Palestine is found and the hope that someday they can visit. I enjoyed the read, it is important, it is needed, and I hope you will preorder/order it to show your support.