Category Archives: preschool

Dec31

Our Neighborhood: Excited for Eid by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

Posted on by
Standard
Our Neighborhood: Excited for Eid by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

img_8357-1

Like the first book in the Celebrating Islam from the Our Neighborhood series, Friday Fun, this 26 page 7 x 7 board book is delightfully done in capturing the joy, sentiments, and traditions of the day. The mix of specifics and generalized parts of an Eid day experience offer both a window and mirror for toddler to early preschool kids. My concerns is that while maybe families will sense that henna/mendhi is cultural fun, and balloons and ice cream are not a religious requirement of the holiday, the two page spread dedicated to gathering at graves is a lot of space given to a cultural practice, not an Islamic one. I’m not a scholar and the book with its minimal words does not indicate if these families are visiting all graves, if they visit on days other than Eid, if they are grieving recent deaths and acknowledging that holidays can be hard. It shows multiple families at multiple graves some with flowers, some bare, some placing flowers, under the words, “gather together” and “love forever.” It is uncomfortable to me because of the space it takes up and the implication that it is a major part, or perhaps that it is a requirement of the religious holiday, when it is not.

img_8360-1

Similarly, the absence of going to the masjid or even praying is also glaringly missing. The family goes past the “lit up mosque” to get to the “fun kiosk” later at night for fun and games, but again no Eid prayers, five daily prayers, or really any worship is shown to take place on Eid other than in the illustrations reading Quran and making dua at graves. Hijab is shown on numerous women and mentioned in the text. For a book about a religious holiday, positioned to celebrate Islam, I would have hoped for some clear religious acts to be shown and articulated as being joyous parts shared by a global faith.

I enjoyed the little baby’s desire for ice cream that stretches through the story. It will add a layer of joy to even the youngest audience members. The gathering to eat and share and have fun is beautifully illustrated under the simple rhyming text, but Eid is a religious holiday, and that point seemed unfortunately absent.

Dec27

Gift of Salah by Yusra Khan illustrated by Aisha Aamir

Posted on by
Standard
Gift of Salah by Yusra Khan illustrated by Aisha Aamir

img_8247-1

This basic 10 page board book, is simple, and age appropriate to teach toddlers the order, name, number of rakats each of the five prayers are, and the time of day that they should be offered.  The gift on each of the two page spreads lifts to reveal the name of the prayer and the repetitive refrain will allow the audience to jump in on cue to supply the answer to the question being asked.  We have a lot of high tech and fancy lyrical options to entertain and teach our kids these days, but sometimes a solid book, that can teach and reinforce such a foundational concept is a just what our kids need.  I do wish the flaps were a little thicker, but the 6 x 6 inch size is great for little hands, alhumdulillah.

The book is consistent with each two page spread discussing the time for each of the five prayers on the left, with the number of fard rakats and the refrain of “Do not miss/ Do you know which salah is this?” I think some punctuation would help, but none-the-less, the present is then meant to be lifted for the name of the prayer to be revealed.

The illustrations do not have faces, and show the little boy praying from different angles and in different positions.

img_8252-1

Dec4

Doctor Bear and Helpful Bunny: The Travelling Dentist by Emma L. Halim & Her Mum Mary Tucker illustrated by Alissa Mutiara

Posted on by
Standard
Doctor Bear and Helpful Bunny: The Travelling Dentist by Emma L. Halim & Her Mum Mary Tucker illustrated by Alissa Mutiara

Sometimes you just need a sweet little story about a traveling (sorry one l I’m not British) dentist going under the sea to help a hammer head shark with a toothache.  This rhyming story for toddlers is perfect for the demographic as duas are said to get through the pain and fear and the reliance on Allah swt that all will be well.  The Muslim animals and the fun illustrations make the story appealing whether your child is afraid of the dentist or not, and the focus on the duas in the backmatter, makes the book a good tool for repetitive use.  It is worth noting that their are 32 pages in the book, but the story is only 20 pages.  There is a glossary, multiple dedications, scanable codes for activities, ads for other books, duas, sources for duas and author bios in the back.

The book starts with Doctor Bear and Helpful Bunny introducing themselves as traveling dentists for all animals, even those under the sea.  When they get a call from Sonny, they set an appointment time, gather their gear on a boat and then head underwater to the shark village.

Sammy is glad they are there, as he is in pain. They clean his teeth, but need to remove the wiggly one, and that scares him.  He says a dua and before he knows it the huge tooth is out, alhumdulillah.

The book then has a two page spread about duas that help when you are “feeling funny inside” in Arabic, English transliteration, and their meanings in English.  A fun book with a great mix of story, silliness, education, and heart.

Nov15

Mama Wears a Hijab by Fifi Abu

Posted on by
Standard
Mama Wears a Hijab by Fifi Abu

I don’t understand this 24 page 10 x 10 board book. I don’t get it literary wise, or Islamic rep value wise, and if someone can explain it to me, I will be happy to listen.  I’m figuring it is a “me” problem because the author has multiple masters, one in children’s literature and has even been on the Caldecott committee, so I don’t know why I can’t make heads or tales of the metaphors.  At times it seems they are describing the hijab, but maybe the parent child relationship, on one spread the pregnancy, possibly motherhood in general.  A few pages are beautiful, and I like the illustrations, but the continuity is lacking and makes me a little uncomfortable.  Islamically, I understand that women who cover their head often do wear makeup and perfume, but they are not part of hijab, so to have that be articulated is both erroneous and odd.

The illustrations show hijab, niqab, a duputta style, and everything in between.  The characters shown are families in a variety of skin tones, clothing styles, body shapes, and cultural settings.

The book is not a story, it functions in two page spreads of rhyme that take an abstract concept and ground it so to speak, but what the connection is, is by and large lost on me.  I know I have included more inside pages than normal, but I feel that I can’t really review it, so perhaps the least I can do is provide enough peeks for people to come to their own conclusions.

Nov14

Different Together by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Rizkia Gita

Posted on by
Standard
Different Together by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Rizkia Gita

This 32 page large 10 x 10 hardback book explores how we are all different and unique, while also being the same too.  The illustrations and text present a nice way for children to learn that Allah swt created us all to be different in our appearances, what foods we like, how we dress, how we speak, but come together to all say Assalamu alaykum and stand foot-to-foot to pray.  Some of the refrains are a bit abrupt, and it really focuses a lot on physical descriptions and food, the target audience though of preschool to early elementary, will see themselves in the book, probably even a character that looks like them, and expand their understanding of al-Khaliq creating them all.

 

The book starts with an ayat from Surah al-Hujurat and then starts by asking the audience to imagine a world were everyone is the same.  It highlights that Allah created each of us starting with prophet Adam (as) to be just as we are, with different traits. From there, neighbors are introduced: their names, country of origin and favorite foods that all come together to make a table of sharing.

In school the students look different and play different, in the city the different building types are shown to come together, and in the masjid our hearts are in sync when we pray. The text concludes asking the reader to highlight five ways they are unique and a hadith in Arabic along with its English translation.

Nov3

The Prophet;s Sunnah by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Laila Ramadhani Ritonga

Posted on by
Standard
The Prophet;s Sunnah by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Laila Ramadhani Ritonga

This joyful 20 page board book shows our littlest (and biggest) Muslims some of the Prophet’s sunnahs in a way that they can also do in their lives.  The adorable illustrations appeal to kids and the simple text showing the acts are relatable and engaging.  I did cringe at times with the changing size of the basic font and the perspective of some of the lines being told to the reader as “your” and others as “our,” but I’m a bit of a sucker for kid’s books about Rasulullah.  Some of the vocabulary might need some explaining, but overall my little ones enjoyed the book when I read it, and I have caught them looking through it on their own, so yes I’m aware that I’m over looking a few basics.

The book starts with a hadith on the dedication page and is then followed by an ayat in Arabic and English meaning of the translation about following Prophet Muhammad (saw) if you love Allah swt.  It  introduces Prophet Muahmmad saw to the little readers, not stressing the call to Prophethood and revelation, but him as a “neighbor, friend, father, husband, leader and teacher.” Starting with Bismillah, sharing, and helping, visiting the sick, being humble, some pages are filled with multiple images, and others a single scene.  Some have Arabic transliteration and one has Arabic script accompanying the English.

The illustrations show different sizes, colors, abilities.  Some of the girls wearing hijab, some not.  Readers are bound to find someone in the book that looks like them.  The binding quality and page thickness is well done and the 8.5 square size makes it great for story time or reading in small groups.

Oct31

First Words from the Qur’an by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Sena Aydogan

Posted on by
Standard
First Words from the Qur’an by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Sena Aydogan

img_7527-1

This large, LARGE (10 x 13.5), 16 page board book is joyful and informative for our little Muslims to look through.  Each two page spread starts with a topic that is followed by an ayat from the Quran and then adorable illustrations are splattered around with comments, questions, facts, or definitions.  In some ways it reminds me of the Richard Scarry books that don’t have a story, and don’t have to be read front to back. You can, or you can just pore over the pages and point things out to your little ones.  The book also helps caregivers that might not do voices and Broadway style productions at story time, by offering little prompts with each picture that allow the child to engage, have their attention directed, or offer up their connections in an intuitive manner.  The size and quality definitely make the book stand out on the shelf, and I think for babies to early elementary the Islam centered focus will appeal to more than just toddlers.

The book features Animals in the Qu’ran, Plants in the Qur’an, People in the Qur’an, Nature in the Qur’an, Places in the Qur’an, Objects in the Qur’an, Blessings int he Qur’an, and  Color’s and Shapes in the Qur’an. The last page features a baby safe reflective “mirror.”

Oct13

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

Posted on by
Standard
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.

Oct7

I AM: A-Z of Positive Affirmations for Muslim Kids by Barakah Kemi Hassan illustrated by Mariam Poppins

Posted on by
Standard
I AM: A-Z of Positive Affirmations for Muslim Kids by Barakah Kemi Hassan illustrated by Mariam Poppins

img_7168-1

This alphabet framed book combines the English alphabet with correlating affirmations, but then also ties the sentiment in with one of Allah’s swt 99 names.  The names do not correlate with the alphabet, but ground the book by building on that connection to Allah swt and the peace and reassurance of knowing He is there.  The faceless illustrations are colorful and warm, blending wonderfully with the text, as does the font and style of the large soft cover picture book.  After the alphabet there are tips on how to use the book along with the 99 names in Arabic, English, and the meaning in English. The book was nominated for the Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2024 and had it not been, I don’t know that I would have spent time with it.  I can see this book working really well in a classroom setting, in addition to in a home. I’ve seen my own children’s teachers use affirmations, and to have this Islamic centered, alphabet organized one, really is a great tool for building our little Muslims up and strengthening their awareness of Allah swt in all we do.