Tag Archives: animals

Oct20

Sameer and Snazzy: Kindness Counts by Emma L. Halim illustrated by Herry Prihamdni

Posted on October 20, 2025 by islamicschoollibrarian

The 32 page faceless picture book for toddlers and up, is set in Australia and follows Sameer and his cat Snazzy on a bushwalk. At first I felt like it might be a little bit like the classic, “And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street,” but the structured story with a repetitive refrain adds in Islamic phrases, silly encounters, and examples of kindness that make it unique. Add in a fun surprise at the end, and like many other books by the author, be prepared to have it memorized as your little ones ask for it over and over again.

The book starts with Sameer look forward to his grandpa coming to visit, but wishing he had something exciting to share with him. Snazzy suggests he shares that he can talk to animals, but Sameer knows no one would ever believe that, so the two set off on a bushwalk to find something exciting.

When they hear an “A-choooooo!” in the trees, the fun is just getting started with Miss Koala sneezing and making eucalyptus leaves fall. The duo finds a way to help, but the fallen leaves mean ants are stuck in their home and can’t get out. Once again, Sameer and Snazzy, find a way to help. After each episode the refrain of, “‘Imagine if I told Grandpa this!”‘ I say to Snazzy. ‘He’d never believe you! he smiles. ‘NO-ONE WOULD!’ We laugh together and continue along the path, when suddenly…”

The book ends with a surprise, that I won’t spoil. The backmatter has a reference to Surah An-Naml and explains that Prophet Sulayman peace be upon him, really could speak to animals. There is also a glossary of the Islamic phrases and a QR code to continue to the fun after the story ends.

The book is a bit more text heavy than some of her others, but the illustrations are fun, and will keep kid’s attention. It does not rhyme, but has a cadence that makes reading it aloud easy. The small size makes the book better suited to bed time, but could work in a story time, and would be wonderful tuned into a story board/felt board read aloud. The book is a universal story, but at some point in Islamic fiction self published and small published books, I think we will need to have open dialogue and discussions if having characters that are not the same race as the author or illustrator is appropriate and beneficial, or is misleading and better to avoid.

***EDIT: The author reached out to me asking me to remove this generalized opinion of me calling upon the need to have discussion, I opted to amend, as I think we need to have conversation and believe intention and purpose in whatever one decides is a benefit. So, to avoid errors in interpreting her ask, I will simply post the screen shots, and my response. Please note I did not tag the author in my Instagram post, she reached out to me. I purchased the book, it was not gifted.

Jun19

Eliyas Explains: What was Prophet Muhammad (saw) Like? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

Posted on June 19, 2025 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Eliyas Explains: What was Prophet Muhammad (saw) Like? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

Zanib Mian once again fills a void in the literary world for our children using her easy to read and relate to protagonist’s voice. Over 149 pages, filled with illustrated doodles, details about our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) flow through the fictional framing of Eliyas and his family heading to the airport to pick up their Mamoo. It starts with the standard introduction of characters that all Eliyas books have, so while it is part of the series it can be read as a standalone as well. But really if you have children 5-14, you should invest in the entire collection. Also, as with the rest of the series, the book is checked by a Shaykh who is named at the beginning so that the reader can enjoy the Islamic details that are to follow. I know there is some debate about the cave and the spider, a story shared briefly within the pages, but I will leave it to those more knowledgeable to decide upon. The book works well read aloud and independently, either way I’m confident children will enjoy the story, learn something new, and grow in their love of our Rasul Allah, alhumdulillah.

SYNOPSIS:

Eliyas’s dad’s uncle, Haroon Mamoo is coming for a visit, and while Mum wants to make sure they leave at a specific time to get to the airport, Dad isn’t stressed, he had a dream about Prophet Muhammad saw the night before and the kids want to hear all about it. The story progresses weaving in things around them with Mum and Dad tying them to the sunnah. From a fight at the airport, to a pigeon getting stuck, to Haroon Mamoo seeming to have gotten lost. The book is preachy, in the best way possible, as Eliyas and Aasiya banter, crack jokes, and learn along with the reader.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love Eliyas’s voice and the weaving of a fictional story to convey the non fictional sunnahs that are truly the heart of the book. The information presents in an easy way for children to hopefully remember it, and to also see how they should be behaving and acting in their own lives. The fun fonts, illustrations, and layout make it inviting to pick up and keep reading.

FLAGS;

None

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
This book is not a journal, like some in the series are, but provides ample opportunity to discuss points on each page.

Apr23

The Last Resort by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Rania Hasan

Posted on April 23, 2025 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Last Resort by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Rania Hasan

Once I got over my disappointment that the no parking sign on the bottom left of the cover was a deer and not a unicorn (clearly it is a deer, no shade to the illustrator), the 149 page early chapter book with illustrations was a decent read. The messaging about family time was a little didactic, but the twist of having the child want it, opens it up to be both reflective for kids also craving family routine, and those that don’t appreciate what they have. I do wish that the climax of the “noise” was amplified and built upon to add some urgency and tension. And the resolution a little more explained as I don’t know that most target readers will quite grasp what was going on in the resolution. I know I would probably complain if it was over explained, but here we are. The book is not preachy in its portrayal of faith, the family is Muslim and they pray and worship as part of their daily routine. The text and spacing, along with the full page black and white illustrations that present once nearly every chapter, make the book accessible and inviting for 2nd and 3rd graders. I know I sound like a broken record, but the book really just needed a bit more polishing to truly shine, it isn’t a bad read, but based on my own kids interaction with the book, once they put it down, they forgot about it, and just weren’t motivated to pick it back up.

SYNOPSIS:

Mahmoud’s family has recently moved to Edmonton, and everyone is busy. It is summer vacation and he is already bored. When he finds out his one friend is going away all summer, he devises a plan to force his family to come together. He finds a hotel near Banff, marks the calendar, and hopes for the best. The family comes together, but the hotel has broken beds, toilets that don’t flush, roaches in the kitchen, and an elevator that they are told is out of order, but is still in use. The family starts to turn on Mahmoud, but when he explains how everyone is too busy to spend together, they decide to make the best of the situation. Weird noises and details that don’t add up, send Mahmoud exploring and ultimately make it a vacation to remember.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The story is sweet, and I am always a sucker for kids that solve problems. I hope that one day, self sufficiency in fictional characters will rub off on readers, but alas it hasn’t happened to mine yet. The book is fine, the pieces are there, the writing is decent, it just needs a bolt of energy to make this a book that kids really would gravitate to and read over and over again.

FLAGS:

None: maybe a little anxiety and gross factors, and a kid books a hotel without permission.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

The book should be on shelves in libraries (I wish Ruqaya’s Bookshelf Books were in public libraries), but definitely in school libraries, classrooms, and homes. I don’t think it has enough to discuss in a book club setting as it is a simple linear story with only one plot line. SPOILER kids may need a bit of help understanding what a front is and what was being done with the animals, and why a hotel in Canada outside of a National Park all came together to make it an ideal criminal headquarters for such activities.

Feb3

Animals in the Qur’an Search & Find by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Guliz Gerdan

Posted on February 3, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Animals in the Qur’an Search & Find by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Guliz Gerdan

This book is targeted to preschoolers, but with the minor details the book sends readers looking for, I think children up to third grade will enjoy the mix of fun and learning that this book offers. The book uses animals in the Qur’an as the theme for each two page spread, tells what surah the animal is mentioned in, and some Islamic context, as well as some basic facts about the animal. Over 45 pages kids will learn about bees and snakes, donkeys and wolves, and dive in to the challenge of finding a spider with spots looking to the left or a fish with strips swimming to the right. My three year old can not differentiate between some of the more specific markings of this cow or that, but he still loves the illustrations and benefits from the brief factual text. This book is a great addition to school, masjid, and home libraries with its Islamic foundation, beautiful large execution, and wide audience appeal.

The book starts with the Arabic ayat of verse 45 in Surah Nur and the English meaning of the translation. It then establishes the format of the book, and then lists the 20 animals featured, where they are found in the Qur’an and on what page number, in the table of contents.

Each page offers the animals and some nature elements to be found on the large 10 x 10 pages. The pictures are playful and colorful with the print quality glossy and a sturdy thickness.

I enjoy the book and think most families with young elementary aged children will as well. You can purchase a copy here from Crescent Moon Store and if you use my initials “ISL” at checkout, you will save 10%

Apr15

Must Love Pets: Friends Fur-Ever by Saadia Faruqi

Posted on April 15, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Must Love Pets: Friends Fur-Ever by Saadia Faruqi

This 208 middle grade novel by a Muslim author features a desi family and the protagonist’s love of pets. Iman Bashir is on summer break and is determined to convince her mom and grandfather that she is responsible enough for a pet dog. The internal realization of selfishness, her ability to problem solve, be a good friend, and know the limits around her, keep the story from being whiny and annoying. The writing is superb and the characters relatable. I wish there was a bit more Pakistani culture, or some indication of the characters faith (there is one Salaam), not because all books need it, but rather because it almost seems that text goes out of its way to not contain it. The story is clean and the first in a series that I think most kids will enjoy. The father in the story has passed away and at times Iman struggles with sharing her thoughts on him, I don’t think it would be triggering, it is subtle and adds depth to the story, but it is worth noting incase it hits too close to home.

SYNOPSIS:

Iman has been begging, or rather asking her mom for a dog at every chance she can get, but after 43 rejections she is thinking she needs a new plan. When she meets the new neighbor, Olivia, who is the same age as her and her best friend London, an idea is hatched to start a pet sitting business. Iman’s mom is always stressing how important it is to help others after all. Opportunity strikes when Sir Teddy’s owner has to rush out of town, the girls offer their services to watch the beloved dog. But how do you share caring for a dog at three different houses? How do you let your parents know what you have committed to? What do you do when your brother is allergic to dogs, or you have a cat that doesn’t like dogs, or your house is still in boxes? What do you do when your first customer goes missing?

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like the side stories the best: the grief of losing a parent, the Dada Jee and his lemons, the soccer team helping search for the missing dog. The story itself is fine, albeit predictable on the surface. Where it really shines is in the point of view of Iman. I love that her internal dialogue knows that she is being selfish, that she is being a bad friend, but that she is still feeling these very real feelings adds depth to the book, character, and plot.

I like that the mom is a strong single mom, and I hope that as more books in the series are written we get to see some emotional unpacking and connection between her and Iman. I do like that the meaning of Iman’s name is explained in Arabic, and desi foods are featured, but I couldn’t help but feel that the writing would set up for something more, and then abruptly pull back. There really is no explanation about why Dada Jee doesn’t like dogs other than saying in Pakistan they aren’t allowed in the house. So finish the though, face palm, they are not let in because religiously which has influenced culture- dogs are generally not brought inside, it is a bit of a contentious point. I get because Muslims feel differently about dogs it was probably kept out, but she is a talented writer, she could have still acknowledged the hole in the rationale without committing to a side. Sure in my Islamic School Librarian head, I would have loved the characters taking their shoes off when they enter the house, eating halal, and pausing to pray, but I accept that isn’t the story. At times though it didn’t feel OWN voice, it felt very watered down on the cultural rep and it makes me wonder why it was really included at all.

FLAGS:

Clean. Loss of a parent.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This is a solid MG book and would be a great addition on a school or classroom library shelf.

Jan17

The Sleepy Farmer: The Farmer Who Almost Missed Fajr by Shazia Afzal illustrated by Ingy Hamza

Posted on January 17, 2022 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Sleepy Farmer: The Farmer Who Almost Missed Fajr by Shazia Afzal illustrated by Ingy Hamza

This adorable board book combines animal sounds, team work, appreciation, and getting to the masjid on time for fajr. Oh ya, and it is silly too.

Farmer Salman stayed up late and doesn’t wake up in the morning when the rooster crows. The crowing wakes the hen who starts to cluck, the clucking wakes the horse who starts to neigh…and before you know it, it awakens the entire farm.

But, Farmer Salman still doesn’t wake up, so the animals get louder, and louder, and finally the cat in the house wakes up and meows in the farmer’s face. The meowing wakes Salman up and he makes wudu and heads to the masjid, just in time for fajr salat.

He returns from the masjid, thanks the animals and gives them their breakfast, alhumdulillah.

The book is only 10 pages and some pages are text heavy. I think a few more pages to reduce the text on some of the pages would really make an already fun book, incredible.

Aug2

Ahmed and the Very Stuck Teapot by Sarah Musa illustrated by Rania Hassan

Posted on August 2, 2021 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Ahmed and the Very Stuck Teapot by Sarah Musa illustrated by Rania Hassan

This 36 page early elementary book is packed full of choices and lessons packaged in a sweet story that kids and adults will enjoy reading and discussing over and over. My only real critique is the title. I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf for nearly a year thinking it was just a silly book about a calf with a teapot on her hoof that is stuck and would probably involve different people and methods and attempts to get it off. But the teapot is off by the tenth page, and the story is really just getting started. Like all Ruqaya’s Bookshelf picture books, the large thick shiny pages with a stiff soft cover binding make the story a great choice for storytime and bedtime alike. There are Islamic threads and references, but the story overall is universal.

Ahmed and his friend Tariq are practicing their kite flying skills for tomorrow’s annual competition, when Ahmed’s kite gets destroyed in a tree. Heartbroken Tariq suggests he hurry to buy a new one before the store closes at Maghrib. As the boys rush off they come across a brown calf with a teapot on her hoof. Ahmad recognizes the teapot as his mother’s and feels like he should help the poor animal. Tariq keeps reminding him that the shop will close, but Ahmed decides to take the cow to Amo Waseem’s to get help.

Amo Waseem, is able to help the cow get free, but in the process, the cow get’s hurt. The cow needs help from a shepard, Amo Salih, but Amo Waseem can’t go, and Tariq wants to practice more. Ahmed knows the cow can’t be left untreated, and takes the little cow to get help. The cow then needs to get to his owner, and the story continues until the shop is closed, and Ahmed realizes he won’t have a kite for the competition. He goes to the mosque for salat and starts to feel better, he knows that he did the right thing, and inshaAllah Allah will reward him in some other way. His reward comes quickly, however, much to Ahmed’s surprise and in gratitude he also manages to find a way to help his mother.

I love the gentleness of the lessons of doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t really want to, and your friends are not supporting you. Ahmed had chances to walk away, but he didn’t and he was at peace with the outcome. His friend wasn’t mean or bad, he just made different choices. There are discussion questions at the end as well. I think this book would foster great conversation with even the littlest listeners, and I can’t wait to share it at our masjid’s storytime.

Jun18

Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo

Posted on June 18, 2021 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo

The author of this wonderful middle grades novel reached out to me after I reviewed her book A Galaxy of Sea Stars, to let me know that this book too has a Muslim character. As we exchanged emails back and fourth I learned more about her work with Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services in New Haven Connecticut (IRIS), and the impact the people she has met there have on her and her writing (the new paperback version of Galaxy has bonus content that reflects this). Allies and advocates are gifts for Muslims and for our fictional representation. The details and warmth of her Muslim character, Ahmad, a Syrian refugee, is seamless and accurate, and while this is not his story, his support of the main character helps normalize Muslims as friends and in daily life. He takes time out for his five daily prayers, he refuses to shake a female’s hand, and he uses the word inshaAllah. The story is Ruby’s though, and her journey pulls you in from the first chapter and leaves you cheering for her long after you close the book. Over 295 pages (AR 4.1) you witness Ruby find her voice, dare to not be invisible, accept friendship, and help others.

SYNOPSIS:

Ruby has just moved to frozen Vermont from their last “forever home” in Florida. Originally from D.C., Ruby and her mom have been moving to places they have vacationed to try and find joy. Since Ruby’s father, a police officer, died, the two of them have been broken and barely surviving. The only constant is a cousin, Cecy, who helps them out and convinces Ruby’s mom to come back to her childhood town of Fortin, and to be closer to her. The winter is bitter, the house is freezing, and even with Cecy arranging for Ruby’s mom to have a job, it only takes a day for Ruby’s mom to be arrested, fired, and for Ruby to be on her own. With only a garbage bag full of belongings, and some thrift store finds for warmth, Ruby’s plan is the same as it has been in every other town they have landed in: keep her head down and be invisible. Ruby’s dog, Bob, though has other plans, and when he takes off into a neighbor’s yard filled with ‘No Trespassing’ signs a meeting with Abigail takes place that will change Ruby.

Abigail Jacobs is known in Fortin as the “Bird Lady.” She has a home, but lives in a shed on her property, dresses in layers of scraps and scarves, feeds the birds, and keeps to herself. The rumor is that she killed her husband and daughter, everyone knows it, it could just never be proven. There are also stories that she has a moon rock. When Ruby meets her she is angry and cold, but the way she interacts with the animals and her knowledge of the moon, keeps her intrigued and even though Ruby’s mom forbids her from visiting Abigail, Ruby and her develop a friendship of sorts.

At school Ruby’s plan to go unnoticed is challenged by Ahmad Saleem, a refugee who lives with his uncle a grocery store owner and is teased by a few classmates for his accent and disappearances at lunch time when he goes to pray. He is kind and and determined to help Ruby and immediately declares her his friend. Ruby tries to avoid him, but eventually he starts to win her over. With the upcoming wax museum, a Fortin favorite, drawing near, Ruby tries to explain to her teacher that they will be leaving back to D.C. before the final presentation, but Mr. Andrews isn’t letting her off and somehow she finds herself researching Michael Collins, the astronaut that stayed on the space shuttle alone to circle the dark side of the moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their historic walk.

With the mayor singling out Abigail with his new ordinances, Ruby’s mom deciding not to take the plea deal and fight her case at trail, the short cold days, the desire to return to D.C., the wax museum approaching, and Ruby needing answers, Ruby at some point will have to stand up and speak out.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love that the story unfolds in layers. You don’t know where it is going, but the slow peeling away shows the complexity of people and situations. The book doesn’t shy away from confronting stereotypes and looking beyond appearances. I like that there is some discussion of Islamophobia, when Ahmad is overheard speaking Arabic for example, but the character that needs the most standing-up for is an elderly white woman. The small pivot allows the book to avoid a familiar theme and shows the reader a Muslim shop owner helping the tattered woman that the town fears and resents. I enjoyed the strong reminder of how women and science and their careers have not been widely accepted until recently. I think many readers will be surprised that much of Abigail’s rumors stem from her being a brilliant educated woman that society struggled to respect then and now. I absolutely love the science and space aspects that bring Ruby Moon, her neighbor, and her class project together.

I wish there was a little bit more about her mom and her relationship at the end. The disconnect in their relationship warranted the sparse information in the majority of the story, but I needed some hope for the two of them. Same for the relationship with Cecy. I get that Ruby doesn’t have a good relationship with her mom’s cousin, but as Ruby grew in so many ways, I wish that her appreciation of what Cecy has done for her and her mom would have also been realized in some capacity.

FLAGS:

Ruby being dishonest. Death, injury of a pet, physical assault, bullying, teasing, Islamophobia.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I probably wouldn’t focus an entire book club on this book, but I think it would be a great addition to a summer reading list. The insight into a character trying to find herself within her own family and experiences with connections to history and science would be a benefit to any child to read and reflect upon.

Apr27

Salaam, World by Samia Khan illustrated by Teresa Abboud

Posted on April 27, 2021 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Salaam, World by Samia Khan illustrated by Teresa Abboud

This 26 page rhyming picture book starts out basic enough with salaam being said from various locations, but it digs a little deeper as the book progresses to explain what salaam means, and how to respond. A good introduction to the greeting of peace for ages three and up. The pictures are jungle animals testing out the word and the 10 by 10 size is sufficient for bedtime and in small groups. My picky critiques are I don’t like the font as I think it is hard for early independent readers to decipher when capitalized, words such as “catastrophic” and “salutation” are a bit advanced for the demographic, and I wish there was a bit more Islam in the book, but overall it is sufficient, and an effective tool to helping get little ones to say salaam.

“Salaam from above, salaam from below, salaam from the mountaintops covered in snow,” is how the book begins as a cat hanging from a tree and braving the elements offers his greetings. A donkey then asks us to hold up and explain what the word means.

Salaam is defined as meaning peace in Arabic and a word that Muslims use that is like ‘hello’ only kinder. It is sending peace to those you say it to, and a show of respect. The animals say it to others before noting that you can say it short or long: Salaam or Assalamualaikum.

The book then asks how to respond before teaching us to say walaikum-assalam and telling us not to be alarmed the next time we hear the greeting, but to return it and spread it.

Nov2

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha illustrated by Yujo Shimzu

Posted on November 2, 2020 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha illustrated by Yujo Shimzu

This 40 page true story about Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel of Aleppo aka the Cat Man shows how one person can make a difference even in the middle of a war. The amount of text on the page, the topic covered, and the detailed illustrations will most appeal to second graders and up, but younger kids, particularly those that love animals, will enjoy the story as well.

Alaa loves his city: the markets, the foods, the people. When war comes, he doesn’t flee, he keeps working as an ambulance driver. He has a big heart. His sees destroyed neighborhoods where everyone has left, except for the cats. There is no one to feed them and give them water, and Alaa feels for them.

After his shift he buys meat, and feeds over a dozen cats. He does this everyday and soon a dozen turns in to fifty and he realizes that he can no longer care for the cats alone. He needs a place for them.

Word spreads and volunteers and donations start pouring in. He purchases a building with a shaded courtyard and soon cats are everywhere. When people leave Aleppo they bring their beloved cats to him, and even other animals start arriving. Alaa even builds a playground for the children and digs a well so everyone can have fresh water.

The book is pretty straightforward and steady, it doesn’t have much emotion for such a powerful true story, but it will still hit the mark in inspiring children to show kindness and compassion for animals and others.

There are notes from each other and the illustrator at the end that share light on their connection to the story and the situation in Syria. There is nothing religious in the book other than a few females in hijab.