Tag Archives: Fairy tale

Mar16

The Clever Wife: A Kyrgyz Folktale by Rukhsana Khan illustrated by Ayesha Gamiet

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The Clever Wife: A Kyrgyz Folktale by Rukhsana Khan illustrated by Ayesha Gamiet

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It has been nearly 10 years since a new Rukhsana Khan book has been published, and alhumdulillah, she is back with a delightful folktale.  This story starts off like many popular fairy tales, but it doesn’t simply end with a wedding and living happily ever after.  The story is just getting started, once the clever Danyshman and Khan Bolotbek start their lives together.  Over 40 richly illustrated pages brimming with character, culture, and hints of what might happen, the ending will sweep readers aged 5 and up into smiles and giggles and leave them begging to hear the story again and again.

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When the old Khan is on his deathbed, he leaves the future rule to be decided upon by his beloved white falcon.  The bird lands on the shoulder of a young shepherd and the subjects begrudgingly accept him as their leader.  As his kindness and compassion over the years wins the people over, their only concern is that he hasn’t yet taken a wife.

So, many high born maidens gather and try and solve the questions Khan Bolotbek sets before them.  When one poor maiden learns what is happening and accompanies them, they are surprised with her clever answers, and the khan asks her to marry him.

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The khan discusses and consults with Danyshman and they essentially rule together.  There is just one promise the khan asked of his bride, and that is to “not share her wisdom with anyone, but him.”  The story continues, but with a clever wife being held to that promise, it is only a matter of time before her wisdom is shared, and it will take true cleverness for her not to lose everything as a result.

I love the strength of Danyshman, the levelheadedness of both her and the khan in ruling, and in remembering their humble roots.  The story is timeless, and this retelling ensures that more families with be familiar with this tale from Kyrgyzstan.

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Feb16

Snow White: An Islamic tale by Fawzia Gilani illustrated by Shireen Adams

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Snow White: An Islamic tale by Fawzia Gilani illustrated by Shireen Adams

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A lot of the twists that I was surprised by and endeared to in Fawzia Gilani’s Cinderella, seemed lacking in her re-telling of Snow White.  Perhaps it is the mere fact that Cinderella has a legacy of being re-told from different cultural perspectives and in different time periods, where Snow White doesn’t, that made this book stumble where her other sailed much more smoothly.

The basic premise of this Snow White version is naturally the classic tale.  Snow White is the envy of her stepmother, in this case however, it isn’t a magic mirror, but a jinn who answers her questions. Once the huntsman is convinced not to kill her, and a boar’s heart and liver are taken instead,  Snow White finds the companionship and shelter of the dwarves.  In this re-telling, it is a female crew with countless skills that they are happy to pass on to their newest friend.  When the evil stepmother finds out Snow White still lives she concocts poisonous dates to present in disguise to Snow White who is awaiting the appointed iftaar time.  The dwarves arrive home too late to save Snow, but see who has done the evil deed.  The Prince makes his brief appearance as he arrives at the cottage, makes dua’a for Snow and then sends his mother to nurse her back to health.  In fairy tale tradition a wedding soon follows, but the evil step mother has one more trick up her sleeve, she poisons a comb that Snow is surely to use as she prepares for the big day.  The dwarves cannot thwart the stepmother and Snow is only saved when the stepmother in all her vanity accidentally picks up the comb to fix her own hair.  Over time she recovers and Snow forgives her and they all presumably live happily ever after.

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Perhaps it isn’t fair to compare the two books, but I would imagine they are often purchased together and I feel like there are some notable differences that are worth mentioning.  In Cinderella, the setting is Andalusia and they are all about the same skin tone.  Snow White seems to resort back to old stereotypes and the stepmother seems to be the only one with a darker complexion with all the others being more fair.  Granted her name is Snow White, but it is established on the first page that her mother prays for a child with a “heart as pure as snow,” so really that doesn’t hold up.  Also, where I felt that Cinderella could work for Muslims and non Muslims alike, I think this one would be a hard sell for non Muslims.  There are a lot of references to dua’as of Noah and Job, there is Ramadan, the role of the jinn, she even does tayammum at one point and readers may be confused why sometimes she is in hijab, and when home with the women she is not.

Like Gilani’s Cinderella, the book is very thorough in being Islamically appropriate.  The sisterhood is a nice twist and the Prince has a really small part.

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The illustrator is the same, yet for some reason the pictures seem a bit dull in this book.  The bottle of poison is shimmery, but the other illustrations seem muted and almost rushed.  The book is 41 pages with a glossary and Reference for Quran in the back, and is very text heavy.  Probably 3rd or 4th grade level with some assistance on the Islamic concepts.

Jan26

Princess Siyana’s Pen by Zainab Merchant

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It is hard to not compare a big, brightly colored Princess book to the golden standard of a Disney princess story, which obviously isn’t fair. But for as much as I wanted to love this strong Muslimah and her doe-y eyes as she saves herself and the kingdom, I felt the author let me down.  The plot feels overly familiar, it is like a mix of Rapunzel in Tangled (minus the tower and Mother Goethel), Anastasia (not Disney, but in the same genre), throw in Jafar and (a nice) Iago from Aladdin, sprinkle in Islamic wisdom and insights, and tada you have Princess Siyana.

Siyana is the daughter of King Tariq and Queen Fatimah, the wonderful rulers of Lusitania.  While still a baby, the evil Chief Advisor Shargor kidnaps the young princess and leaves her in the neighboring mountainous kingdom of Baetica.  As her kingdom searches for her, a traveler in Baetica finds her and gets her to Ms. Salma at El Sol Orphanage.  Her life is good growing up. She shares her knowledge of modesty and salat with the younger girls at the orphanage, and has a very close relationship with Ms. Salma.  Meanwhile, in Lusitania, Shargor has imprisoned the King and Queen and is ruling unjustly and ineffectively.  When Siyana is 16 years old Ms. Salma surprises Siyana with a trip to Baetica for an interview at Baetica Academy, Siyana’s dream school.  While there, a tornado tears the two apart, and Siyana is rescued by an elderly couple.  This couple is struck by her name and fill her in on the story of the missing princess.  Siyana boldly journeys to the castle, storms in, frees her parents, forgives Shargor and presumably they all live happily ever after.

The author puts not just Islamic values of forgiveness, and kindness to others in the story, but pushes the point of hijab and talking to Allah (swt) as well.  Siyana discusses how at the orphanage they don’t cover, but when they go out they do.  One of the younger girls even asks her, “why wear such a pretty dress if no one can see your hair?”  Hijab comes up a few times through the book and isn’t too awkward.  However, I felt the concept of writing letters to Allah (swt) a little forced and less smooth, especially considering it is the title action of the book.  Once a week the girls at the orphanage write letters to God with special pens Ms. Salma had given them. They then drop these letters in the lake.  A bit odd for the environment in my opinion, but I get it I’m cynical.  In her first letter she writes about wanting to help others and even remarks, “Oh my Lord, my Guide, my Everything, How I’ve missed you, even though I talked to you just an hour ago in my Salaah!” The author has Ms. Salma explain that you can always talk to Allah (swt) and that duaas and letters are good, but remembering Him in your heart is the best.  Siyana writes two letters in the book, and the letters aren’t long, but it seems like the lead up in to them and after them, explaining the connection to God through many different forms is good, and which are better, and which are required, etc., gets a bit wordy.  Again I do acknowledge my own unease with writing letters so formally to Allah (swt) in literature. I have now reviewed a few books were it presents itself, and in all cases I find it weird, and I don’t know why.  Interestingly the Author never uses the word Allah (swt), but she does use hijab and salaah.  And there is space at the back of the book to write your own letter to God.

I do like that the plan is for Princess Siyana to rule the kingdom and that she is traveling for educational reasons when the tornado strikes.  I also like that Ms. Salma seems to be a strong independent woman and that Siyana, doesn’t wait around for someone to save her parents, she takes control, trusts Allah, and saves the day.

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The book is beautiful and big.  The illustrations are radiant and well done.  At 40 pages long, there is also a recipe for Macaroons and amaze at the end, the story is quite long in both the number of pages, and in the amount of text on each page.  I would place it on at least a 3rd or 4th grade level for reading, and possibly a KG or 1st grade level for story time.  The book isn’t dry, but it would definitely test a 3 or 4 year old’s attention span.  Obviously it is an Islamic alternative to the mainstream princess story, but at $19 and the way it is beautifully presented, I guess I wanted more than just Islamic morals infused into something so familiar.  I feel like the author could do more, it is definitely within her writing ability and the publisher, Sun Behind the Cloud, who it seems is responsible for the illustrations as well, definitely know what they are doing.

There is a youtube teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qS_Jw2rp8Q

and an interview with the author https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCclUg9pUXI

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