Category Archives: Toddler

Mar6

Little Leena Learns about Ramadan by Zainab Fadlallah

Posted on March 6, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

I was excited to see this 20 page book in my public library, and then once I started reading it I was equal parts frustrated, disappointed, and honestly a little upset. The book is an example of what I posted a reel about a few days ago, about an over used, unrealistic, textbook fact share of Ramadan from a kid’s perspective in a plotless book. In this book it is Little Leena waking up from a nap smelling something delicious and finds her family eating and wondering why. She is told by her sister it is the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the new moon has been sighted. Oh sure there are some mentions of cakes and cupcakes, but seriously, come on, what three year olds have a working knowledge of moon phases but don’t know what Ramadan is, know what “blessed Ramadan” means but have never heard “Ramadan Mubarak.” Ramadan is explained to be special because we try and be extra kind, and not because it is the month we are told to fast, and we get more blessings for being kind, and the month the Quran was revealed. Yes I appreciate that hijabs are not worn in the house, but are worn outside, and the excitement and joy are visible, but how can you have a book this centered on Ramadan that contains no Islam in it. You can’t say on the back that it is learning about “what the occasion is all about” if there are no religious inclusions: it does not say that it is an act of worship, that fasting is prescribed by Allah swt in the Quran, that we pray extra, there is nothing, it doesn’t even attribute Ramadan and Eid to a religion, sigh. My frustration isn’t just in this book, it is in this growing trend that this book is a part of sadly. Why have an OWN voice adorably illustrated book claiming to be teaching about Ramadan, when the religion is completely absent? If it was a cultural, or family traditional book of joy with or without Ramadan facts blended in, I might see what it was trying to accomplish, but a book for early elementary, from a toddlers perspective that is so formulaic misses the mark in my opinion, both in educating the target audience or in helping young Muslims feel seen.

The book starts with Little Leena waking up from a nap and smelling something delicious. She wonders if mummy has been baking cookies, or cupcakes with sprinkles, or maybe a chocolate cake. She decides to go have a look and finds colorful lights and decorations and a magnificent chocolate cake. She also finds her family sharing a meal, she asks what is going on and learns that it is Ramadan.

Leena’s sister Safiyya explains that “Ramadan is the ninth month of the Lunar calendar” and “it starts as soon as the new moon is sighted.” She further explains that “Grown ups fast from when the sun rises till the sun sets” she says brave kids are welcome to try too. I’m not sure what being brave has to do with fasting, to me determined or even strong would be better words to use as fasting isn’t scary, and kids are encouraged to try, not forced.

Leena then wants her sister to explain what fasting is, and Leena can’t believe it means no food or drink during the day light hours. Leena asks what makes Ramadan special, and is told, “Ramadan is special because during the month we try to be extra kind and do as many good deeds as we can.” It does not say why we try and be extra kind though, before reminding that we also “try to remember to be grateful for all the things we have.” It is worth noting that in the illustration on this spread it has a Ramadan sign, that is spelled Ramadhan, not that one transliteration is write or wrong, but to have both in a children’s book is a little confusing.

Leena then finds some presents and Saffiya explains that they are for Eid when Ramadan is over and we wear new clothes and get presents. The two then discusses their love of presents and saying Ramadan Mubarak.

The 8.5 inch square book is short, but the image quality and hardback binding in this library edition is nice, it just adds nothing in my opinion to the genre, to conveying to Muslim and non Muslims what Ramadan is and why it is important. I worry that libraries might think this is good as our Ramadan reads are and not budget to get much better, engaging, reflective stories as a result.

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%.

Mar4

Ramadan Mubarak by Saniyasnain Khan

Posted on March 4, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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I don’t know how I missed this board book from 2020, possibly because I have the old school original Goodword one I didn’t think to acquire this one, but now that I have it, I’ll share my thoughts. The illustrations are the same as the original, with a few placement rearranging and color changes, but the text (unfortunately) is completely different and the binding is now a small 5×5 22 page board book. The book is all over the place with what is included about Ramadan, there is no story, and at times the vocabulary is definitely too advanced for little listeners. Honestly, the book is great for little hands to carry around and for parents to point out important parts about Ramadan in the illustrations to talk to toddlers and preschoolers about, but the text is really hit and miss. As my mom, a veteran preschool and ESL teacher would say, “don’t read the story, tell the story.” I don’t regret buying it, but I doubt I’ll ever read it cover to cover as written to my three year old, he doesn’t grasp the need to hand out Qurans in English to our friends and neighbors, but he benefits from the page before saying that “Ramadan is the month of the Quran” and seeing the smiling Muslim faces praying, caring for others, and praising Allah swt.

The book starts with Ramadan starting and bringing joy and happiness as it fills our hearts with peace and love for Allah. It states we fast from dawn to dusk which makes us hungry and thirsty, but that these feelings “remind us that food and water are great blessings from Allah.” I love this point about remembering our blessings from Allah, and that it then mentions shukr, and being thankful. It then says that Ramadan is the month of the Quran and that we read it and need to apply it in our lives.

I don’t understand the dawah page, and I wish the following page with a hadith was sourced. It then returns to the purpose of fasting, this time saying we do it to “train ourselves to be kind, peaceful, and patient. It makes us caring for others.” These are great lessons to come from fasting, but we fast because Allah swt prescribed it for us.

The book stays on this theme of fasting reminding us about the poor and needy and encouraging us to feed and help them, but doesn’t mention zakat or charity by name. It then defines taqwa and says fasting helps develop it before spending four pages on Lailatul Qadr, using phrases such as “Night of Destiny,” “innumerable angels” which might need some explanation, and taraweeh was never mentioned.

The book concludes with Ramadan ending and Eid al Fitr being celebrated. Goodword seems to recycle and update parts of books every so often, and I hope they will tweak this book to be a better fit for toddlers and preschool aged readers. Board books are important, the illustrations fun, but the text needs some attention to truly make the book a staple in Muslim homes.

I purchased mine here from Crescent Moon Store if you use my initials ISL (Islamic School Librarian) you can save 10%. 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!

Jan9

Baby’s First Series: Bismillah by Marwa Ahmed illustrated by Natalia Scabuso

Posted on January 9, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Baby’s First Series: Bismillah by Marwa Ahmed illustrated by Natalia Scabuso

Every few years a new Bismillah board book comes out and while after a while they all blur together, this new 2022 version is bright and colorful and at 24 pages a good length to show and teach toddlers when to say Bismillah without boring them. At this age repetition is key, so while there is no real story, the book highlights familiar activities through the character Maryam and stresses saying Bismillah before you begin them. The book concludes with sourced duas to say when leaving the house, starting a meal, entering a bathroom, and before sleeping, and every morning and evening. I do wish the book would have clearly established that you say Bismillah, before starting anything and everything. It hints at it at the end saying, “throughout the day, remember to say Bismillah,” but I worry that some kids would take it more literal, that you only say it at the times mentioned in the book, and not that the featured scenarios are just examples.

The book begins with Bismillah in Arabic text and the translation before starting the format of Maryam doing something on the left page spread and the saying of Bismillah on the right. So, “Maryam likes taking walks with her day, When they leave, they say Bismillah.” In this manner Maryam takes the readers to play at the park, eat a meal with vegetables, drink a drink after her meal, read a book, wash before prayer, and get ready for bed.

The faces of Maryam and other people are never shown, the stuffed animals in her room do not have eyes, although the duck bouncy seat at the park does. The illustrations are blocky and colorful with the text clear and large. The duas at the end tell when to say the dua, the dua in Arabic, the translation in English, and the source.

For where to purchase the book you can visit the publisher’s website: www.litfancyhouse.com

Dec26

What Colour is your Mosque? By Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Aybüke B. Mumcu, Damla Koçak, Fatma Betül Akbal, Gökhan Özdemir, Gülşah Irmak, Hümeyra Yorgancı, M. Ahmet Demir, Menekşe Özdemir, Özlem Güneş, Şüheda Başer Yılgör, Zeynep Alptekin, Zeynep Begüm Şen

Posted on December 26, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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What Colour is your Mosque? By Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Aybüke B. Mumcu, Damla Koçak, Fatma Betül Akbal, Gökhan Özdemir, Gülşah Irmak, Hümeyra Yorgancı, M. Ahmet Demir, Menekşe Özdemir, Özlem Güneş, Şüheda Başer Yılgör, Zeynep Alptekin, Zeynep Begüm Şen

Sometimes the idea and presentation of a book make it stand out even if the writing is a bit bland and erroneous. This book with bright colorful illustrations from 12 different illustrators highlighting the bold colors and designs of 12 masjids around the world is one such book for me. I think young children will delight in seeing such beautiful masjids and appreciate that Muslims are found all over the world. Adults and older children will also learn about mosques I’m sure they had never heard of before. I kind of wish the book was a board book for little hands learning colors to enjoy, but the 8.5 x 8.5 style does suffice for story time and bedtime.

The book starts with an introduction to the author, Jenny and her sharing her favorite mosque in Turkey, Hagia Sophia. Each two page spread after that is a child introducing themselves, telling where they are from, and sharing their favorite mosque in their home country. From Sri Lanka’s Jami Ul Alfar that looks like candy to the purple lights of Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque in Oman. Some masjids stand out for their colors, others for their 99 domes, and some look like castles or are built out of mud.

The illustrations reflect the beautiful buildings and radiate with joy from the smiling children introducing them. I think the text is translated from Turkish to English which might account for some of the errors, but spelling Kabbah with two b’s doesn’t seem right in any language.

Despite it all, I’m happy with the book, I think we need to make a more intentional point to instill a sense of global community in our children and celebrate the beauty that our architecture and culture can result in for the worship of Allah swt.

The book is available from here from Crescent Moon Store.

Dec23

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mohdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani illustrated by Maya Fidawi

Posted on December 23, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mohdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani illustrated by Maya Fidawi

At first glance it might seem that this Iranian set book with a chador at it’s core is a political statement. I do not believe that it is. The backmatter does state that, “Our wish in writing this book is to add to the growing list of stories for children that demystify this veil (that is too often used as a symbol of hate) and instead present a different view of it as the safe and comforting space we always knew it to be.” This is an OWN voice authored book, from what I can find online the authors do not cover. It is a warm memory of finding love and humor and safety in the modest coverings worn by a grandmother. I do wear hijab and I choose to do it based on my understanding of what Allah swt commands, I have never been forced to cover by a person or government, and do not know how that would effect my love of fulfilling a tenant of my faith. But all that is an aside to make the point that this book to me is not weighing in on Iran’s politics, books are written and slated to be published years before they finally release, and this book is a silly heartfelt picture book about a girl and her chador wearing grandmother heading to the bazaar.

In the bustling city of Tehran, Samira is heading out to buy groceries in the big bazaar for the first time with her grandmother. Samira is nervous that it will be loud, and she might get lost, she asks her grandmother if she can rider under chador on her back. Her grandmother tells her no, she will look like a turtle.

Samira then suggest they walk in a line with grandma in front and her behind. Grandmother Shamsi says, na, na, na, she doesn’t want to look like a donkey. Various other suggestions involving hiding under the big black chador and staying close to Mama Shamsi are suggested, but all make grandma look like a funny animal, and she declines.

When at last they arrive at the bazaar, Mama Shamsi encourages Samira to not hide but to use her eyes, and ears, and nose to learn about the world around her. Hand in hand, they stick close together, and enter the market.

The love between the two characters is heart warming in the text and truly elevated by the remarkable illustrations. You love their relationship, you can feel Samira’s nerves, you appreciate Mama Shamsi’s humor to lovingly empower her granddaughter, and at the end you truly long to have your grandma next to you guiding you.

I enjoyed this book and don’t mind one bit reading it over and over again as kids giggle at the pictures and find details they hadn’t noticed before. The book releases in February, and I hope that presales can reinforce the power of OWN voice authentic tales to be shared. You can preorder/purchase it here.

Dec16

Salim’s Soccer Ball: A Story of Palestinian Resilience by Tala El-fahmawi illustrated by Naveen Abu Saleem

Posted on December 16, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Salim’s Soccer Ball: A Story of Palestinian Resilience by Tala El-fahmawi illustrated by Naveen Abu Saleem

This 58 page rhyming picture book weaves together a tale of a little boy and his lost soccer ball, with larger issues of community, oppression, and perspective for the youngest of readers to older children too. I am noted to be skeptical of rhyming books, but the large font, the sweeping pictures, and the dropping of occupation, struggle, and resilience really make this book a treat. Add in discussion questions and an author’s note and you have a solid book that deserves space on home, library, and classroom shelves. My only wish, was that the book was hardback. The horizontal layout with a soft cover make the book difficult to read during story times as the pages flop back. The book is long, but the text on most spreads is minimal and while I could not identify the author’s religious identity, their are numerous hijab wearing #muslimsintheillustrations as Salim journey’s around his neighborhood and into his grand father’s memories.

Salim wakes up, brushes his teeth, and is out the door to play soccer with his best friend Qusai, but the ball goes flying and Salim can’t find it. He starts walking down the hill and it seems to have disappeared.

He asks the fisherman, Abu Zaid, if he has seen it, and he hasn’t, but he offers to help. They then go and ask the seamstress, she hasn’t either, but she puts down her tatreez, offers reassurance, and offers to help. As they head out they bump in to Dr. Bassam. “‘I will help you look,’ the kindly man said. “I can fix broken bones with very few supplies. A lack of resources has made me clever and wise. Resilience and courage are plentiful here. We will find your ball. Salim, no need to fear.'”

The searching continues, with a small break for khanfeh, and then Qusai is found, and so is the ball. Like so many joyful items, the barbed wire of the apartheid wall has destroyed the soccer ball. Upset, Abu Omar, calls out to Salim, and his grandpa embraces and consoles the young boy recalling a donkey with wonky ears and life on the farm. With resilience and joy Salim heads home to a community surprise and a hopeful future inshaAllah.

The book concludes with five discussion questions that connect Salim’s experience to universal experiences of people everywhere. It is followed by factual and personal author’s note about Palestine and the book.

There is nothing religious aside from the hijabs worn, Dome of the Rock, Masjid al Aqsa, and Church of The Holy Sepulcher in the backgrounds of a few images. I purchased my copy from Amazon HERE and can also be purchased through Shop Palestine HERE.

Dec12

“Granny, Where Does Allah Live?” by Yasmin Kamal illustrated by Citra Lani

Posted on December 12, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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“Granny, Where Does Allah Live?” by Yasmin Kamal illustrated by Citra Lani

This 32 page picture book for 3-6 year olds takes readers and listeners on a car ride with Granny as questions are asked, sights are seen, and love is spread. The rhyme is actually pretty decent, the explanation of Allah swt being on a throne above us wherever we are adhered to, and the illustrations are bright, bold, and have a lot to hold little one’s interest. Overall, the banter between the kids and their Granny, the drive to the mosque being filled with joy and love, make me overlook a lot of little annoyances. The book packs a lot in, but the voice and tone is easy and I think most kids will see the connection of asking where Allah is, to asking why we have to go to the mosque, to why it is important to talk to Allah swt in our prayers, etc., as a way to have their own questions touched upon. I do wish the book was a little bigger and perhaps hardbound, to make story time sharing a possibility, the book is 7.5 x 7.5, so good for little hands and sufficient for in lap reading. The book concludes with three activities that incorporate a few of Allah’s beautiful names.

The book starts out with a young boy and girl excited to be spending the day with their Granny and going on a ride in her special car. No idea why it is special, but it is purple and has flowers painted on it, so lets go! The kids love to ask Granny questions when they drive. So after saying bismillah, they wonder why people don’t have tails or shells on their backs, or where they are going, or if they can have ice creams.

As they head to the mosque to meet Grandad they wonder if that is where Allah (swt) lives. Granny tells them no, so they ask if He lives in the sky, when she says no, they wonder about in the trees or in the sea. Finally she says that they “don’t have to go anywhere to find Allah, His throne is above us where ever we are.”

She then details how we can be reminded of Allah in things around us, nature, animals, land formations and then tells the children Allah is the most generous friend and it is important to talk to Him in our prayers. The children ask what we can tell Him, and Granny shares that we can tell Him everything and anything because He always hears.

Granny then explains that when we do good, we make Allah swt happy and when we aren’t nice we make him sad. So then the kids want to know why we have to go to the mosque, Granny replies, to be part of a community.

The book is a string of questions, so it doesn’t come across as overly preachy, even though it is Islamic fiction, and the voice is natural. It sounds like a conversation a grandma and some kids would have, I’m guessing the book was spawned by some real life experiences. My kids and my mom definitely have this relationship.

All this though, isn’t too say the book is perfect. If you read my reviews, you know there is always going to be a little nudge to try and elevate it from my perspective for the next go round. So with that in mind, the book does read a little long, the tangents get a little away from the simple articulate answer of stressing where Allah swt is, the text runs over the pictures a few too many times, and the people praying are not foot-to-foot shoulder-to-shoulder. There are no salutations, saw, or asterisks after Allah. The word Jummah is not used although they are going to the mosque on Friday and a lot of people are gathering in the day, and the word mosque is used, not masjid.

The pictures are fun and will appeal to kids, especially when the car goes all magic school bus and starts flying, and going underwater. I hope this is the first book in the series as it really does have potential to present answers to kids questions in a joyful colorful way.

Book available on Amazon

Dec9

A Sense of Gratitude: Exploring the Five Senses by Halimah Bashir illustrated by Laila Ramadhani

Posted on December 9, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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A Sense of Gratitude: Exploring the Five Senses by Halimah Bashir illustrated by Laila Ramadhani

As a story time host for littles, you always need books about the five senses. Additionally as a story reader at an Islamic school, thanking Allah swt while talking about your senses and the world around us is a staple year after year. So purchasing this book with large adorable pictures and claims of rhyme was an easy decision to make, and while it will get used, sigh, the rhyme and lacking rhythm is terrible. There’s also frequent illogical sentence structures and a bizarre tangent- two pages on wafting. The book is for toddlers through kindergarteners, not kids learning experiment safety protocols. @muslimkidsbooknook did a wonderful Instagram post regarding rhyme in kid’s books, and this book really would have benefitted from some additional editing and outside eyes reading the book aloud repeatedly. That being said, the book will still be used and will be enjoyed with real time editing. A positive about the book, in addition to the illustrations, is Allah (swt) in Arabic script. But overall, it really could have, and should have been so much better.

The book starts with a note to grown ups reminding them to stress the importance of being grateful and exploring God’s creation. It starts with what eyes can be used for, stressing the beauty in nature. and moves to the nose, and has the pages on wafting chemicals, enjoying baked goods, and saying please pardon when passing bad smells.

Tongue is next and stresses that sweets are not nutritious, and then assumes that veggies and fruits are unliked by children, but the narrator admits that they enjoy consuming them. Hands and skin- touch and feel, and also convey love. As an FYI- the text states and illustrations show kids petting a dog. The final sense of ears and the gift of hearing wraps up the book.

I’m terrible at grammar, really bad, but even I know not to say “colors like purple,” it should be colors “such as” purple, not “smells like Teta’s baked cookies,” but smells “such as” Teta’s baked cookies. The formatting on a spread seems off as well with “Like slimy frogs” being under a a two line refrain and the rest of the sentence, “and hairy dogs…” being on the next page with another line and a half, it throws you off when reading aloud to keep some rhyme and rhythm going, every. single. time. On some pages the chopping of normal speech structure to make the “rhyme” is difficult to understand, and I don’t think the glossary, nor putting (God) in English was particularly necessary.

My favorite pages are when they tie directly back to ibadah and Islam, hearing the athan, using your hands to make dua and the little rhyme that starts and concludes the book. Truly the concept makes the book important on a shelf and the illustrations make it attractive, the text needs some editing.