Tag Archives: Debby Rahmalia

May25

Busy Eid illustrated by Campbell Books illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Posted on by
Standard
Busy Eid illustrated by Campbell Books illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

img_5008-1

I put this book on hold at the library during Ramadan, but there was a waiting list and I just got it.  No worries though, the 8 page board book with moveable parts can be fun for babies and toddlers all year long, and if you skip over the welcoming of the new moon on the first page, the rest of the book will work for Eid al Adha just the same.  The book doesn’t have an author, it seems to be written by committee by Campbell Books or Macmillan which is fine, since their are only eight rhyming lines. The speaking bubbles that ask the reader to do something however, are about off.  For example asking what color the domes on the mosque are, to which my overthinking brain can’t discern, are they gold…en? tan…ish? on the first page it wants you to move the moon, then asks you to point to the stars and moon, but then on a later spread wants you to guess what’s in the present before you slide the scene to reveal it, with only four spreads, at the very least there should be consistency.  As for the illustrations though, they are lovely and inclusive.  There are smiling warm faces of all colors, shapes, sizes, cats a plenty, a blind gentleman, old young, different styles of hijabis, some non hijabis too.

img_5009-1

The book starts as they all seem to, with the sighting of the new moon, there is cheering, wearing one’s best clothes, and going to pray, gift giving, and food, and pullouts, pushups, and slides on each spread to engage little hands.

img_5011-1

The book is sweet, I’m glad we have representation in toddler board books for Eid joy.  There is nothing religious, or educational.  A Muslim family will perhaps see some of their Eid activities mirrored in the pages, but there is no real grounding or insight for those unfamiliar with Eid to understand why Eid is special, what it is celebrating, or who celebrates the holiday.

img_5010-1

I got my book at the library, but it is available here on Amazon or here at Crescent Moon where my initials ISL at checkout will save you 10%.

Mar7

A Little Golden Book: Ramadan: A Holy Month by Malik Amin illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Posted on by
Standard
A Little Golden Book: Ramadan: A Holy Month by Malik Amin illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

As a child I had a stack of Little Golden Books, my libraries always have a good part of a shelf with Little Golden Books, my own kids have a few dozen of them, but honestly I don’t know that I love any of them, aside from the Monster at the End of the Book.  They are a staple, they have spanned generations, but I always find them a bit abrupt, the text to small and dense, and the vocabulary a little too advanced. So, on the one hand I am thrilled that this timeless brand has a Ramadan title, but on the other hand, some of the food descriptions contain vocabulary a bit advanced for the recommended 2-5 year olds.  If you have been reading my 2024 Ramadan and Eid reviews, you will however be glad to know that this Ramadan book, does pack a lot of information into the pages, and when it asks why do Muslims fast? It says unequivocally “because it is written in the holy book called the Qur’an.” Suhoor is said to be before the sun even rises at one point, and then dawn at another, but then, however, it kind of equates dawn and sunrise, I’ll let it pass, cause it is a little vague with the equating, after saying when we eat clearly. My only real gripe are the food tangents, detailing not to eat fried and salty foods at suhoor, to they hyper specific “creamy curries, fresh soups, and rich stews. Fragrant rice dishes paired with grilled meat or kofta” at iftar.  Yeah it almost seems like the author wrote the book while fasting, with food heavily on his mind.   It does mention doing extra good deeds, more prayers, and it reads as an easy non fiction book.  It doesn’t try and interject the information into a fictionalized framing, it just tells about Ramadan.  It would be nice though, if it was sourced, but with the reasonable price point and accurate information, makes it a solid book to add to gifts and to share.

The story is told in the first person and opens with a family searching the sky for the moon. It then says in a single paragraph on a two page spread that “during Ramadan, Muslims eat and drink only when it is dark.”  It then asks why? Answering on the next spread with, “the Qur’an.”  It says that it is read in many different languages, which technically isn’t wrong, but I wish it would have said that it is written in Arabic. It continues to say that “the Qur’an tells us how to be Muslim.” To care for people, to pray. to fast, but that children and those that are sick aren’t required.

It then details foods to eat and foods to avoid for suhoor before returning to the more spiritual aspects and traditions of being kind and giving charity.  It explains Ramadan Mubarak and then finds its way back to foods, highlighting iftar drinks and foods.

Ramadan is a month, followed by Shawwal and then the celebration of Eid, making sure to note that on Eid we cook our favorite foods.

Overall, a lot of information clearly conveyed, with bright, fun, joyful illustrations.  The final page is a gloassary of words and phrases.  I purchased my copy here on Amazon.

Mar1

Rabia’s Eid by Rukhsana Khan illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Posted on by
Standard
Rabia’s Eid by Rukhsana Khan illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

We definitely lack Islam centered leveled readers, so how exciting to see one this year focused on Eid, that contains more about Zakat al Fitr than presents no less.  The book starts on the last day of Ramadan, so there are details about both Ramadan and Eid shown, not dictated, as it stays on a Step 2 reading level.  As with most books meant to be read with help, for preschool to 1st grade, the story is a bit abrupt at times, and by not showing the Eid salat it definitely leaves some confusion as to whether Zakat was actually paid before the prayer started as required (I’m not a scholar, so please look into this), or not.  InshaAllah, if adults are reading this with their children, some basics about Zakat al Fitr would be something wonderful to discuss when you finish.  The book is joyful, the little girl wants to fast and is encouraged to do a half day, the illustrations are adorable as well, alhumdulillah. Oh and for those keeping track, this might be the first Ramadan book I’ve read in a long time that does not mention the moon, not even once.

The book starts with Mom waking Maryam up for suhoor on the last day of Ramadan and Rabia wanting to fast as well.  Her sister tells her she is too young, but she joins the family for cereal in the kitchen, and Dad encourages her to try a half day.  The family then prays fajr together and the day is going great.

About lunch time Maryam is getting ready to break her fast. The family praises her on as she settles in with a cheese and tomato sandwich.  Later the rest of the family breaks their fast, and Rabia joins in with starting with a date and making duas.  Then it is time for henna and getting their clothes ready.

At Eid prayer everyone is dressed up, and Dad gives Rabia some money to put in the box labeled Fitr, for the poor.  Rabia wonders if everyone has to give money, and mom responds that everyone except the poor do.  The book concludes with the family smiling knowing everyone is having a happy Eid.

The book is great for Muslim and non Muslim kids, because of the size though, it isn’t a great choice for story time in big groups, but the price point makes it an awesome addition to gifts, classrooms, and to share with others in general.  I purchased my copy here.

May15

Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqi illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Posted on by
Standard
Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqi illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Akin to her beloved Yasmin series, author Saadia Faruqi offers up a new set of books similarly rich with culture, family mishaps, problem solving, and fun for early readers.  This is the first book in the series, with three more announced that follow the Pakistani American family, and seem to perhaps even connect to Yasmin (based on the cover pictures).  The books are not religious, Ali’s mom wears hijab, and there is an Eid title in the series, but having only seen this particular book I’m not sure if it is faith detailed or not.  Over three chapters and 32 brightly illustrated pages, second grader Ali Tahir, along with his little brother and Dada head to the South Asian store to find some snacks and ends up having to find little Fateh.  With a family portrait and Urdu words defined at the start, the story concludes with some jokes, some details about traditional desi snacks, questions to consider and info about the Muslim author and Muslim illustrator.

It has finally stopped raining and Dada needs snacks, so he puts Fateh in the stroller and the three of them head off to the market.  Dada is from Pakistan and he and Dadi live with Ali’s family.  Once they make their way to the store, they take in the sights and start looking for Dada’s favorite chips.   Ali has to let go of Fateh’s hand to catch a spicy chips display from falling over, and that quickly Fateh disappears.?

I love that the Yasmin series is such a staple and so widely beloved that a similar series with a boy protagonist is now going to grace our classroom, school and public libraries.  This particular book might only have a #Muslimintheillustrations, but it normalizes religious garb, cultural traditions, and larger themes that unite us all in a fun, age appropriate book that will get early readers smiling and brown Muslim kids glad that yet another mirror exists for them and a window for those around them.

Mar24

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

Posted on by
Standard
My Baba is the Best by Bachar Houli illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

img_7434

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.