Category Archives: Story Time

Mar31

Sajjadati and the Power of Dua by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Laila Ramadhani Ritonga

Posted on March 31, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

This 38 page large hard back picture book is absolutely beautiful: the illustrations, the tone, the thickness of the pages, all come together to create a child’s wonderment about the power of salah and dua with grounding in the actual parts of prayer. On my first reading the imaginative “magical” aspects of the prayer rug, “Sajjadati,” was sweet and endearing, but as I thought about the story and then reread it, I had some concerns. I know the book is meant for children, I know I am a reviewer and thus am over analyzing it, so I point the following out as a “heads up” so to speak, and for you to make your own decisions if the literal text will be misleading or if the overall mood of the book will be taken as loving dua and the closeness prayer brings one to Allah swt.

The book starts with a little boy recalling when he got his green prayer rug from his grandma, that has his name on the corner (in the illustration it is centered on the top, not in the corner) and him naming the prayer rug, “Sajjadati.” The following page, same spread, then says, “When I have Sajjadati with me, I can pray anywhere. And when I pray on Sajjadati, I can go anywhere.” These lines give me pause, because even if the prayer rug is lost or not with him as he grows up, he is still going to need to pray. The importance of the prayer rug seems over elevated, albeit sweet, religiously a little unsettling. The second of the two lines, about going anywhere, is also a bit of a gateway to the rest of the book and almost encouraging one’s mind to wander during salah.

The next page gets back on track saying that starting to pray and saying “Allahu Akbar” leaves this world behind, the little boy says surahs he has memorized, and knows Allah swt is watching him. He asks Allah for what he wants, and his imagination takes him on adventures after each salah. He imagines flying, and being a superhero.

The story then returns to being in prayer, not after, and going in to ruku. The text has him imagining he is in the “biggest candy store in the universe” wondering if Jannah has rivers of chocolate before standing up straight again saying “Sami Allahu liman hamidah,” and contemplating if there is a place where his prayers would be worth more and Sajjadati taking him to al-Aqsa.

In sujud Sajjadati tickles his nose, but he doesn’t mind because he is closest to Allah swt in this position, and while he won’t let his “annoying little sister,” bother him, his mind does drift to being on a boat in the sea with seagulls squawking, “salaam.”

Hamza is then making dua for those suffering. Since nothing is impossible when making dua, he is also asking for pets from the savanna, but knowing that Allah swt will provide what is best. He makes duas to go for hajj and concludes his salah by folding up Sajjadati and finding peace in Allah swt being al-Mujeeb.

I love the heartfelt framing of salah and the interweaving of both real and whimsical wants, as well as the sprinkling of facts about prayer into the story, but I honestly struggled a bit with the juxtaposition of the parts of prayer with the day dreaming elements. I also struggled with the tenses, and find myself constantly rewording this review to reflect the book’s timeline. Hamza is with his family, for example, hearing the current event news, while the next set of pages has him back making dua at the end of the prayer he started at the beginning of the book. And the hearing the news and the praying for people is all being conveyed in the present tense, not clear if he recalled hearing about strife in the world and then made dua, or paused heard and resumed his prayer, it all seemingly happening at once, but that doesn’t really make sense. The title also says dua, not salah, and so much of the book is about prayer, that I feel like the two get conflated erroneously, and dreaming big during dua is different than having your mind wander during your salah.

The book starts with an ayat from the Quran in Arabic text and meaning of the translation in English and concludes with a glossary and space to complete a Dua List.

If this book seems like a good fit for your young child, I ordered mine from Crescent Moon Store and you if you use my initials ISL (Islamic School Librarian) at checkout you’ll save 10%.

Mar27

The Blessed Pomegranates by A. Helwa illustrated by Dasril Iqbal Al Faruqi

Posted on March 27, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Blessed Pomegranates by A. Helwa illustrated by Dasril Iqbal Al Faruqi

I hadn’t even heard of this new Ramadan book until @bintyounus reviewed it, so it wasn’t in my 2023 Ramadan Reads Roundup, I apologize, but I’ve bought it, read it, and am sharing it now. I even hope to include it in my local masjid story time, if it is a smaller crowd as the 8.5 x 8.5 size is a bit small for a larger group to see the illustrations well. The story itself, though, is nice. It isn’t the simple list of what Ramadan is, or a first day of fasting hardship, it focuses on giving. The plot has a predictable story line that works in a few tidbits about Ramadan, but really is more a “feeling” book about the beauty of sharing as the poetic refrain of “It is the holy time of giving” is woven in to the 32 pages that follow two siblings and their grandma as they share their pomegranates with their neighbors to have the blessings return to them. Preschool to second graders will enjoy the sounds of the pomegranates, the happy ending, and the message of sharing what you love most.

The book starts with siblings Adam and Alyah laying under the pomegranate tree when Grandma Essi challenges them to climb the tree and pick the fruit. Once gathered they realize they have more than they can eat and they brainstorm who they can share with.

Ramadan is when the Quran was revealed, it is full of love and guidance. It was shared with us, so we should share too. So they load up the wagon and head out in to the neighborhood. When they give Maryam some pomegranates, they go plunk, plunk, plop into the bucket and she knows just what she will do with them. They wish her a Ramadan Karim and are off to the next house.

Uncle Shakir is greeted with salam and also knows just what to do with the juicy fruits. Mrs. Jones is given pomegranates and the trio explain that it is Ramadan a month of sharing our blessings with others for Muslims, she too knows just what she will do with her gift.

After all the pomegranates are distributed, the sun is getting low and the kids are wishing they saved a few fruits for them. Grandma isn’t worried though, she knows “Allah always rewards kindness with more.” And Grandma is right.

The book concludes with a glossary of terms and the book is meant for Muslims, but I think non Muslims would grasp the love and messaging and enjoy the story as well. I wish the book was larger, so the illustrations could be better enjoyed, but for the price point (EDIT: it has increased since I purchased it last week)tone, I was pleasantly surprised with the overall quality and tone of the book.

I purchased my paperback version here from Amazon, but it is also available as a hardback.

Mar24

My Baba is the Best by Bachar Houli illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Posted on March 24, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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My Baba is the Best by Bachar Houli illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

This 32 page horizontal picture book by an Australian footballer starts out much like a list detailing why a little girl loves her Baba, after a few pages though of more superficial delights, the book gets deeper. It shows the family making duas at bedtime, going to the masjid on Fridays, it even gives a little insight into Eid and fasting before it then takes readers on a camping trip. There isn’t really a story or plot, but the bouncing around fits the narrator’s point of view and will appeal to the intended target audience. The book is mainstream published by Penguin in Australia, so I absolutely love the inclusion of Islam, the mom in hijab, the dad’s beard and the love shown between the little girl and her Baba. Sometimes celebrity books feel a little forced, but having never heard of this athlete, I still found the book incredibly sweet and joyful, and the illustrations by a Muslim illustrator a great amplification of the simple heartfelt text.

The book starts with a little girl rushing to give her Baba a hug on the field as fans cheer in the background. After all her Baba gives the best hugs, it then mentions that he is always doing something and shows him washing his boat and jumping on a trampoline with the little girl and her younger sister. The trio garden, exercise, ride bikes, train and go fishing. They also watch movies at the theater or at home with the whole family. At night Baba reads special prayers to protect them while they sleep.

On Fridays, the family goes to the mosque for prayers, and the most special time is when they all go for Eid in their best clothes. They listen to the imam and give donations to those in need. They open presents and after fasting they eat Lebanese pizza before going to visit teta and jeddo.

The best time is when they go camping. They all set up the tent, and get sticks to roast marshmallows. They even see kangaroos eating dinner before heading back to eat theirs. On many of the pages it is just the girl and her Baba, but even when the whole family is present, the focus is on the strong relationship between the two.

The book is very endearing and as a daddy’s girl myself, I love seeing the relationship unfold on the pages with big things, and little things, fun things, and reflective things, and from the little girl’s point of view. The book is not readily available in the United States, I purchased mine from Book Depository, where they offer free shipping.

Mar20

The Month that Makes the Year: A Joyful Celebration of the Spiritual Practices of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri

Posted on March 20, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Month that Makes the Year: A Joyful Celebration of the Spiritual Practices of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri

This book was definitely worth the wait, alhumdulillah. For all the complaining I do about books regurgitating facts, or Ramadan joy books leaving out the religion, and presentation feeling like it is more for non Muslims than for our own little children; this book does a great job of sharing key points about Ramadan with authenticity and heart that Muslims and non Muslims alike will benefit from the light story, engaging and adorable illustrations, and Muslim child centering. This 32 page book works well for preschool to early elementary readers and listeners at bedtime, at story time, and in settings were introductions to Ramadan are shared.

I was a little nervous that this book was framed as a child’s first fast, but a few pages in my concerns disappeared. Little Deenie knows what Ramadan is, her family is encouraging her to try and fast for a few hours, and she knows that she can’t hide in a cave and sleep like a hibernating bear because Ramadan is so much more than going without food and drink.

I love the shelving of tempting snacks and bad habits of unkind words, waste, impatience, and that little changes lead to big changes one at a time: kindness, love, attention, gratitude.

Deenie goes a little longer each day, and her tummy rumbles, but where she once felt lonely in the quite spaces, she is finding new things that otherwise would have been missed. She helps the coach off the pitch at soccer, the family connects without screens, the “ordinary feels extra-ordinary.”

The mosque opens its arms for tarawih, and extra prayers are “a chance to look inwards and upwards.” A chance to belong. There is sadaqah and Zakat, and being thankful, learning about traditions and connecting with others. There are non Muslim friends changing a lunch date to a gallery stroll, and realizing the kindness is not required, but appreciated none-the-less. The human body is amazing, and Deenie is growing stronger with each Ramadan day. Eid is a time of celebration, but Ramadan is missed, and we are not the same people we were before the blessed month..

The book starts with an Author’s Note and ends with a Glossary. The hardback 11 x 9 book is a great size to allow kids to truly enjoy the sweet illustrations that add to the text and bring the feelings to life. There are a variety of skin tones, mobilities, clothing styles and head coverings, or not covered characters shown. There are so many smiling faces, and relatable scenes. This book is really well done and an absolute joy to read and share.

I personally needed to see that my expectations for a Ramadan read were not unrealistic, and this book alhumdulillah, not only proved that good representation can be beautiful and heartfelt and unapologetic, but raised the bar. I can’t wait to share this for our Masjid Ramadan story time, I only wish it was easier to obtain in the USA. I preordered mine from Book Depository, but since publication the price has gone up, inshaAllah if we all show our support, local stockists will find a way (www.allenandunwin.com).

Mar12

The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

Posted on March 12, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

This 40 page early elementary picture book is set the night before Eid and radiates with love from a boy to his Teita, traditional ka’ak, and the family’s Egyptian culture. The robust and personal backmatter shares a glimpse into the threads from the author’s real life that the story touches upon, and makes the book extend beyond the pages. It is worth noting that this book does not articulate if it is for Eid al Fitr or Eid al Adha and thus works for both. There is nothing religious in the book except a reference to something happening after Eid prayer in a memory, and the shape of the cookie being round like the Ramadan moon, Eid day is not mentioned, it is simply the catalyst for this warm family story about a boy and his grandma making a special treat for the first time and sharing it at school. The large hardback book with fun illustrations is ideal for both story time and bedtime readings alike.

It is the night before Eid and Teita has arrived from Egypt. Zain can’t wait to make ka’ak to take to school and share with his friends. The beloved powdered sugar cookies are steeped in tradition, both in Zain’s family and in Egyptian history. Once the suitcases is unpacked and the special ingredients found, Teita and Mama share memories of baking with cousins, painting henna designs on hands and putting eidiya in envelopes. The family recalls singing together on the balcony while Geddo played the tabla and lights and lanterns filled the streets below, after Eid prayer they would hand out the ka’ak.

Zain wants the ka’ak to turn out perfectly so his teacher and friends will like them. Teita tells him that ka’ak is as old as the ancient pharaohs, and that recipes were found in the pyramids. At one time rulers would even put gold coins in the cookies. Zain and his Teita mix and add the required ingredients, and drink iced apricot juice as they wait for the dough to be just right. Getting the cookies pressed with the molds though is harder than it looks, and Zain gets frustrated. Teita’s love and patience and Zain’s clever thinking get the treat making back on track. The ka’ak doesn’t have a gold coin filling, but they are filled with tradition.

The timeline is a bit off for me with the grandma coming before Eid and then the cookies going to school on Monday, and then Monday evening when Zain is writing down the recipe with Teita he is telling her Eid Mubarak and that it is the best Eid ever. So, it seems that he went to school on Eid, not to Eid prayers, which is fine, just a little sad that there was no Eid celebration or prayers. I don’t know that kids will be bothered by it, but the lack of mirroring and stressing how joyous Eid is does somehow get lost and mitigated, in my opinion, by skipping acknowledgement of the religious holiday. In the backmatter the author remarks that she has “outgrown the magic of Eid,” so perhaps it is intentional that the day is not included in the text.

The last six pages of the book are filled with informative and engaging information about What is Eid, Ka’ak Time Line, A Note from the Author with photographs of her and her family celebrating Eid, a Simple Ka’ak Recipe and Additional Resources.

I purchased my copy from Crescent Moon Store where if you put my initials ISL (Islamic School Librarian) in at checkout you will save 10% or is available here on Amazon where the book currently has a coupon for $3.80 off.

Mar10

The Ramadan Shield by Fadelah Mahmood illustrated by Ayun Sekar

Posted on March 10, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Ramadan Shield by Fadelah Mahmood illustrated by Ayun Sekar

This new 32 page rhyming book focuses on a boy who gets frustrated and often loses his temper and how the onset of Ramadan has his father imparting the lesson that fasting isn’t just staying away from food and drink, but also about behavior and controlling your anger. He shares the hadith of saying “…I’m fasting, I’m fasting,” which is shared in its entirety and sourced at the end. The book has a lot of text and scenarios in its moral framed telling that creates a bit of a disconnect between the presentation and the target audience. The characters are fasting, there is no discussion about why they are fasting or that it is a first time fasting (thank you). the child’s art assignment is pretty advanced, and friends are seen independently out and about, but the rhyming lines and illustrations at the end of the kids on the rug seems aimed at a much younger reader/listener. For my purpose of story times to children 4-9 it is a great choice, because it can appeal to the large range of relatability and attention spans, but for repeated readings in a home, it might need some shortening or additional explaining to connect as intended.

The story starts with Nuh working on an assignment to draw and paint a picture of the Kaba, but it keeps coming out tilted and he crumples and throws page after page. His dad snuggles him close and explains that Shabaan is over and Ramadan is about to start which means that he needs to go without food and water, but also work on his behavior. He explains, how to use the advice of saying, “Fasting is my shield; I will not be defeated! I am fasting, I am fasting.”

Empowered by the words, Nuh starts his next morning remembering his father’s advice. When he spills water on his painting he remembers the advice. When a grocery cart collision at the store with his nemesis gets his fist clenching, he remembers his father’s advice. He even gets a chance to share his knowledge with his friends.

When the day is over he is eating iftar with his family and determined to keep his temper at bay throughout he whole month and beyond, inshaAllah, starting with him trying his drawing of the Kaba again.

I like that the focus is on behavior, I think that is a good reminder for older kids, and something younger kids that may or may not be fasting need to implement in Ramadan. I also like that the parents are encouraging and invested, but not controlling the individual situations. The book is preachy, and when the kid takes the lesson and starts preaching it to him, it is a little heavy handed, but I think it fits with the nature of the book. I appreciate that the kid knows what Ramadan and fasting is, so that the lesson can go a bit deeper in this Islamic fiction story.

I got my copy from Crescent Moon store, and you can get yours there as well by clicking this link here. If you use code ISL (Islamic School Librain initials) at checkout you will save 10%,

Mar5

The Adventures of Adam and Anisah: The Golden Trail by Zahra Patel illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

Posted on March 5, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Adventures of Adam and Anisah: The Golden Trail by Zahra Patel illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

This third book in the Adam and Zahra series, also available with a workbook, focuses on zakat and can be read alone. Aimed at toddlers to early preschoolers, this rhyming story can also work at story time with slightly older kids as a reminder of zakat and giving to those in needs. The book has very minimal text and as a result if you overthink it, it could be slightly problematic: there is magic, they are taking and giving something that doesn’t belong to them, Zakat is a portion of your wealth not sharing something you found-even if a note says otherwise. I think the book is sweet though, and the discussions to have with little ones outweigh the adult concerns I’ve mentioned. It touches on giving to others, on people in need, of people in need living very close to you, that everything being a gift from Allah (swt), it shows siblings working together, sharing, generosity, a lemonade stand for Yemen, giving of food and money, and befriending others. I think if you liked the other books in the series regarding a “magic” pray rug and a fasting shield, both mentioned in this, you will like the presentation of sharing and the term zakat presented in a similar fantasy laced manner; if those books felt uncomfortable for you and your family, this one probably will as well.

Adam and Anisa start the story in Ramadan, a week before Eid, digging in the sand at the beach. Adam finds a treasure box and a message in a bottle. The treasure box is locked and the message says that “My name is Zakat and I’m for someone in need…” Once the kids get the box home and the lock off, a beam of light shines a path for them to follow.

They follow the light out the door and through the field, and past the mosque and their friends, along the way they purchase a pie from the bakery for when they break their fast and keep following the light to the field as the sun starts to set. They find a house in the forest with a mom, a baby, and a little boy, to whom they give the money and the pie. They learn that they had moved to this country and were all alone, but Allah swt provided for them, and He is never far. They all break their fast together and learn that “Whenever you give, Allah will give you more.”

The backmatter of the book contains Context to the Story, Developing Character Strengths, Learning through Practice and a map of their adventure. I purchased my copy from Crescent Moon Store here and if you use my initials (Islamic School Librarian) ISL at checkout you will save 10%.

Mar3

Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi

Posted on March 3, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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This beautiful lyrical book has a simple premise of the moon looking down on people celebrating Ramadan as it circles the Earth, but stands out as being unique thanks to the poetic language and engaging illustrations. Each spread shows moon in a different phase over a different country, and the joy, activities and worship that Muslims are partaking in during the blessed month. I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t realize that the author is also the illustrator until I sat down to write this review, and honestly it makes sense, as the story text and illustrations work seamlessly together. The tone of the book, the details in the pictures, and the rich language make this a good read for a large audience. Little ones probably won’t fully understand the poetry, but they will be mesmerized none-the-less and feel the excitement. My three year old calls the moon all year round, the “Ramadan Moon” and he understood that the Moon in the story is excited seeing us celebrate and worship. He consistently would still be peeking in windows or searching the scenes, not quite ready for me to turn the page long after the text was done being read. Older kids will appreciate the shared global bonds of Muslims and the cultural specifics too. They will grasp the information shared and beliefs touched upon in the flowing words that do not preach. My only criticism is that the book starts with Moon saying, “Hello.” In an Islamic centered book I would have expected to see Assalamualaikum, especially since it appears on the page where moon is above Egypt, so I’m not sure why the English greetings is used. The book has a glossary and notes at the end making it a great addition to Muslim and non Muslim spaces alike. I plan to read the book for a Masjid story time as the large hardback book will work just as well for a group of kids as it does at bed time.

Told from a personified Moon’s perspective, the book begins with Moon smiling at Earth as people all over the world excitedly point and look up at her, but once they see her, they rush off to prepare for the month. Over Turkey, the Ramadan Drummer awakens sleepy people for suhoor and over Indonesia he sees families gathering for iftar. As each day passes Moon grows fuller watching the children do good deeds and people sharing their wealth.

Nights of Taraweeh and listening to the Quran over Somalia, sharing treats in the United Kingdom, and interfaith among neighbors in the United States bring joy to Moon. And as the waning crescent sees henna being put on hands in Dubai the month is coming to an end. People once again look to the sky, but they cannot see Moon in Argentina, Moon is new. It is Chaand Raat and then it is Eid. Moon is back in Egypt watching people celebrate and then the world returns to looking up at Moon and she beams with love and gratitude.

There are diverse characters of a variety of skin tones, mobilities, ages, body size and abilities featured all throughout the book in a positive and inclusive normalizing manner. The backmatter makes the concepts more accessible and the book work on different layers. I really enjoyed the book and am excited to share it. I purchased mine at Crescent Moon Store where using my initials ISL (Islamic School Librarian) will save you 10% it is also available here at Amazon Even my local public library has it on the shelves already! Happy Ramadan!

Mar1

Ramadan Nights by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Halime Nur Sevim

Posted on March 1, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Ramadan Nights by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Halime Nur Sevim

This rhyming softcover picture book sets the tone of the month with its large heartfelt images on cardstock thick pages. The book mentions tarawih, reading Quran, suhoor, iftar, compassion, Laylatul Qadr, eid, but does so in a way that reflects what Muslim kids know and love about the month. It is not overly descriptive, nor does it define the terms. It shows Muslim kids in Ramadan living their lives and draws out the emotional joy felt in acts of ibadah, not in the gifts and parties alone. The rhyme works and isn’t terribly forced and the 8.5 by 11 size and the introductory framing of major Ramadan activities makes the book a good addition for toddlers and up. I plan to use this for a masjid story time for Muslim kids ages 4-9, but it can be used in non Muslim settings easily as well.

The book starts out with decorating the home for Ramadan, as the city decorates outside too. Ramadan has arrived, the moon has been seen with binoculars, and Tarawih at the mosque is where everyone is praying, and kids are playing. Mornings start with the Ramadan drummer waking people up for suhoor, but mom is already up cooking. The first few days of fasting are hard waiting for iftar, implying it gets easier.

The kids and their parents make duas and thank Allah for their blessings as well as share their blessings with neighbors as they learn compassion. The kids practice reading Qur’an every day with Grandma and before you know it, it is the last ten nights and Laylatul Qadr and then eid, alhumdulillah. The 32 page book ends with prayers of gratitude and hope that Ramadan will be seen again.

The book really is well done, there is no plot or story, but it introduces the month to little ones, reminds older ones what to expect and does so with accuracy and mirroring. The book will lend itself to spark discussions about what a readers’ family can look forward to in the month, how one should behave in a masjid, perhaps some Quran goals and some appreciation for parents. The poor mom helps decorate, stays up early to cook suhoor, cooks yummy iftar, and lays out Eid clothes all while wearing hijab. InshaAllah a point to mention when reading how amazing moms (and dads) are in making Ramadan memories while fasting themselves.

I purchased mine from https://crescentmoonstore.com/ if you use my initials at checkout ISL (Islamic School Librarian) you can save 10% or click this link directly to go to the book.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Feb20

Babajoon’s Treasure by Farnaz Esnaashari illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Posted on February 20, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Babajoon’s Treasure by Farnaz Esnaashari illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

This beautifully illustrated imaginative story focuses on Persian culture and a grandfather-granddaughter relationship. I have no idea if the characters, author, or illustrator identify as Muslim, the scarf on the grandma and the salaam greetings might just be cultural, but Muslim kids will see themselves in those words and images and thus I am reviewing the book. Young Miriam spends a week with her grandparents, Babajoon and Mamanjoon, every summer, and on this trip, she has reason to believe her grandpa is a pirate. The progression of Babajoon sharing his culture with his granddaughter who has misread the signs is silly, but honestly also a little sad. It seems she is very unaware of her family’s culture, not just generational details, but basics. The story itself is for kids, but I think parents will find a deeper message in the importance of maintaining cultural ties and familiarity no matter where our children are raised.

Miriam loves her week every summer with her grandparents, it is a magical adventure spending time with them at their tea shop. One day Miriam and her Babajoon head out for rocket pops and a mysterious gold coin falls out of her grandpa’s pocket. As they enjoy their popsicles, Babajoon starts singing with a parrot, and he has a secret language with an old friend before crystals are revealed, the only possible connection for the young girl, is that her grandfather is a pirate.

Babajoon reveals the cultural context of all the days adventures tying them back to his childhood in Iran. He encourages her to ask questions, and Miriam worries that she isn’t like her beloved Babajoon. His reassures her that they are alike and that they will teach each other, leaves the book with both appreciation and hope and a whole lot of love from a little girl to her family and culture.

There is a bit of a continuity issue for me as the little girl is excited her grandfather is a pirate, and then at the end, glad he isn’t. Also that she doesn’t know what Farsi sounds like or where her grandfather is from seems a little bit of a stretch as she herself calls them Babajoon and Mamajoon and says salaam to them. They also own a Persian tea shop called Aziz and the sign board is written in English and Farsi. If the little girl is aware enough and old enough to piece together the clues to discern that he is a pirate, clearly she recognizes the difference in the titles, foods, and clothing her grandparents wear to the larger society. I know, I’m being picky, but it took me a few readings to get past all that, and appreciate the story for what it is, and how beneficial it really can be to encourage children to ask about their family heritage and traditions.

The 40 page horizontal hardback book is beautiful to share in groups or one-on-one. The illustrations are enjoyable, and the pirate aspect will make this book a frequently requested read. You can preorder your copy here, after March 28, 2023 you can still purchase through that link.