Tag Archives: feelings

Apr3

Allah and My Heart by Humera Malik illustrated by Basmah Syadza

Posted on April 3, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

This 47 page book of feelings and reassurances shows Muslim kids that they are not alone and that Allah swt is always there for them providing love. The book is not a story, and at times it might sit unopened on a shelf, but when it comes out as a needed tool, I think the resource it provides will be much appreciated, powerful, and useful. The book offers scenarios with emotions: fear, excitement, anger, sadness, and then reassures the reader with Allah’s promises, and then with what we can do or say. There are only a few words on each page, with a simple illustration that changes with each scenario and is reflective and inclusive to skin colors and abilities. The book if rushed, will just seem like a list, it really needs to be discussed and shared with children in a way that leads to internalization, application to their own life, and appreciation that Allah swt is aware of everything. The book is not sourced, but the sentiments are familiar.

Here are a few samples of how the book is tied together: “When it is dark outside, I feel scared, Allah says don’t be scared I am with you. I can say ‘Allah is my protector,’ and read the last three surahs of the Quran.” This plays out over four pages. “When I have too much to do, I feel overwhelmed. Allah says He does not give me more than I can handle. I can say ‘Allah I am overcome, help me’ and I can do dhikr to calm my body.

I like that the book is well done for what it is. The repetitive format and Islamic centering make it is a useful tool and the guidance gentle on a child’s level. If nothing else knowing that what you are feeling is normal and common and accounted for in our deen is a tremendous reassurance in feeling big emotions. The reasonable price and the Islamic centering makes me hope this book is shared and shelved in places that little Muslims will have access to with adults to help facilitate the messaging.

The book can be purchased here from Amazon or from Crescent Moon Store here if you use my initial ISL (Islamic School Librarian) at checkout you will save 10%.

Aug9

Salaam: Mindfulness for Muslims by Humera Malik illustrated by Najwa Awatiff

Posted on August 9, 2021 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Salaam: Mindfulness for Muslims by Humera Malik illustrated by Najwa Awatiff

I had planned to wait until the physical book comes out on the 15th to offer up my thoughts, but the Kindle version has released and I want to help put it on everyone’s radar. My own kids went back to school today and emotions and feelings are all over the place: excitement, nerves, anxiety, worry. Changes in general cause heightened feelings, throw in Covid cases on the rise, puberty, friends, more open discussions about mental health, etc., and kids need tools to be successful. Alhumdulillah, the Qur’an and Sunnah offer guidance, reassurance, and direction, and this book helps organize and present coping tools for ages seven to adult. Thirteen emotions over 85 pages follow a pattern of a title page, a “Remember” page with an ayat from the Qur’an (except in one case it is a hadith), then an affirmation to be said that is either a verse, a dua, or dhikr, followed by an adorably illustrated spread of simple activities to do and try in a checklist manner. Not only will young Muslims find reassurance and direction in the text provided, but inshaAllah, they will also be comforted knowing that what they are experiencing is very human and that Allah swt and Prophet Muhammad saw have provided insight and acknowledgement of such emotions.

The 13 emotions highlighted are: afraid, angry, disappointed, grief, jealous, lonely, overwhelmed, sad, shy, sorry, upset worried, grateful. There is an author note to parents at the beginning that mentions that the book is meant to be read “cover to cover in peaceful times and to be dipped into to find specific advice” when needed, and I couldn’t agree more. There is also a note for the readers normalizing big emotions and reassuring them that Allah swt does not want them to despair.

The diverse character illustrations are absolutely heartwarming and I hope that they will be made in to pictures or charts to be purchased so they can be hung. They are really well done, and the visual mapping will help kids retain and put the tips in to practice. I’m not sure what the sizing will be in the physical paper back book, but I hope it is large enough for them to be properly enjoyed.

Oct19

My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain and Ella Bailey

Posted on October 19, 2020 by islamicschoollibrarian

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My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain and Ella Bailey

This adorable 32 page book about facing worries, anxiety, and fears is told in story format and meant for ages four and up. The personified monster isn’t scary, but he is big, and the little boy learns to talk about him to get him to shrink. The book is engaging, fun, and powerful. I had my teenager who has anxiety read it and she loved it, a few days later as she was forcing herself to get out of the car, she mentioned that she needed to make her monster small. Normalizing mental health, feeling like you aren’t alone, finding the words to explain to others how you feel, having empathy for those that are facing challenges, are all things the book conveys without being preachy or condescending. I think every child, parent, and caregiver, needs to be aware of what children are facing and find ways to be like the gran in the book and listen, so that children suffering aren’t doing so alone. The fact that the author is a Muslim celebrity chef in Britain and the protagonist is a boy with brown skin, makes the message that much more universal.

The book starts out with an unnamed boy introducing himself and his much bigger monster. He doesn’t know when the monster arrived, but it seems he has always been there, and the monster knows all about him.

The monster is big, and when he stands infront of the little boy, the little boy can only see his tummy. At night he snores too. When he asks his mom or dad or brother to take the monster away, the monster hides.

Over time the monster has gotten bossier. When the little boy is getting dressed or brushing his teeth or when he wants to play, the monster is always there, blocking him.

One day after school the monster was there and the little boy tried to lose it, but couldn’t. Gran asked what was wrong when he showed up crying, and the little boy told his grandma all about his monster.

Gran listened quietly and the more the little boy talks, the smaller the monster gets. Pretty soon the boy realizes he can make his monster go away. When he finds the monster later, the little monster is confused, so the boy puts him in his pocket.

The monster is always there, but the little boy can make him behave and he isn’t scary any more. At the end the boy is big, and the monster is little.

I love that the boy finds someone to talk to, and that he accepts that the monster may never leave. Even if you don’t have anxiety or worries, the book is a great metaphor that even little kids can understand to help them cope when stresses do occur. I love the large size of the book, the minimal text and the bright illustrations. Truly a great book that needs to be in classrooms and homes and anywhere kids are.

Aug24

Let it Go: Learning the Lesson of Forgiveness by Na’ima B. Robert and Mufti Menk illustrated by Samantha Chaffey

Posted on August 24, 2020 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Let it Go: Learning the Lesson of Forgiveness by Na’ima B. Robert and Mufti Menk illustrated by Samantha Chaffey

This 32 page rhyming book follows a little boy around as he is weighed down by a lot of things not going his way. He doesn’t want to forgive until he is the one that hurts someone else and realizes we all make mistakes, forgiveness is not a weakness, and we all feel angry at times. The book breaks from the story to ask the reader to think about their emotions in various situations, and encourages the reader to talk about their feelings. The framework is Islamic and the repenting to Allah swt is part of the message. I found it awkward to read independently, but I read it to a small group of my own kids and their cousins, seven in all, ages four to thirteen, and it worked very well to discuss what the boy was feeling and how they would react. I think this book would be great in a classroom or as a book an adult reads to a child at bedtime to encourage conversation. I had to point out to the little ones, that the knapsack was getting bigger with the little boys anger, and explain what it was, but as a tool to foster dialogue it was incredibly powerful.

The book starts out with a poem/du’a by Mufti Menk that sets the tone for the book. It makes clear that we are all human and feel things and that this book is a tool to understand and emotionally grow from. No one is going to get in trouble or be reprimanded.

The story stats with the little boy waking up happy and ready to have a wonderful day. But then when he comes down for breakfast, his sister has eaten the last piece of toast. The book asks the reader, “how do you feel when things don’t go your way?” and asks the little boy to let sorry make it better so that he can let it go. But the little boy doesn’t want to let it go, he wants to hold on, and as a result it makes his heart feel heavy.

This pattern is followed throughout the book giving examples when the boy doesn’t get included in a game at school with his friends, when his friend kicks his football (soccer ball) in to the road and it gets popped by a passing car, and at dinner when his older brother laughs at him.

He then picks on his sister at bedtime, and doesn’t even know why he is doing it, and realizes that he too has made a mistake. He learns that “it takes a strong person to let it go,” and that “forgiving is like taking off a heavy bag that I’ve been carrying all day long.”

The book ends with some verses and hadith about forgiveness. Has some facial expressions with emotions to discuss, and space to write down things that make you feel angry, hurt, or sad as well as a place to share what makes you happy, grateful, and safe. There is also a glossary of Islamic Arabic terms on the inside back cover.

Mar22

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller illustrated by Jen Hill

Posted on March 22, 2019 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller illustrated by Jen Hill

I usually post chapter books on Fridays, but on this one week anniversary of the horrific Mosque attacks in New Zealand, my fragile heart is being kept together by the pictures and notes shared on social media about the kindness people are bestowing on one another. Company’s setting up prayer spaces for Muslim employees, communities standing guard outside masjids, friends leaving flowers for their Muslim acquaintances, strangers donning hijabs in solidarity, individuals carrying signs of welcome and unity, truly the list goes on and on. Muslims and non-Muslims reaching out to one another, Kiwis and the rest of the world coming together. And yet I know so many people are at a loss at what to do, and how to respond to their feelings in an appropriate manner. I know I often am. Thats why books like this one are so important for children to learn how to be kind. We often tell them to be nice or kind, but what does that mean? What does that look like? How do we know if it worked? As adults we often don’t know, so while this book isn’t written or illustrated by a Muslim, there are Muslims in it, and that is why after seeing another blogger a few weeks ago mention it, I want to share it with all of you. The illustrations show a little girl saying hi to a desi garbed man named Omar, and two hijab clad girls in her view of the world, amongst so many other diverse faces and characters, because that’s the point right? We are one, each of us responsible to one another to be kind.

The book starts off with Tanisha spilling grape juice all over her new dress and a classmate being at a loss as to how to console her. She makes what she thinks is a reassuring comment to Tanisha, but it isn’t received that way, and the little girl ponders and reevaluates what it will take to be kind to Tanisha and what kindness is in general.

As she works to unravel what kindness is, she explores also what it can look like. I love that it is seen in terms of action, giving ideas to stay with the reader. It discusses that sometimes it is easy like saying hello, or not littering, and how important just using a persons name can make someone feel.

But, it also talks about how sometimes kindness can be hard, requiring patience and a little bravery. I can only imagine how brave people had to be to enter a mosque for the first time and step out of their comfort zones to offer their support.

The book then takes an important pause when it acknowledges that maybe all this little girl can do to help Tanisha is to sit by her. I think Muslims around the world are in awe of the Prime Minister of New Zealand for all she is doing, but also for just showing up and hugging people and listening. A rare gift in todays wold of soundbites.

The little girl then imagines her small acts of kindness joining others and making the world a better place. My favorite part is actually the end. Tanisha never smiles and tells the little girl thank you, there is no big praise for being kind. In fact, I bet the little girl doesn’t even know the power her actions had on the little girl. We the reader know because we see Tanisha hanging the picture up in her room. But, that let down is real life. We can’t be kind because of the reward, we must learn to be kind because it is the right thing to do. And often when people are kind to us, the effect isn’t instantaneous, its weight manifests in the dark when we are looking for hope and reassurance and for this book to contain all of that, in 32 pages with only few words (AR 2.2) is truly amazing.

The illustrations are gorgeous and engaging. The hardback 9×10 format makes this book a great addition to any library and should be read regularly. It isn’t enough to not be mean, action and intention need to be taught so that we all might be more kind, inshaAllah.

Jan11

The Young Muslim’s Mindful Book of Wellbeing by Zanib Mian

Posted on January 11, 2019 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The Young Muslim’s Mindful Book of Wellbeing by Zanib Mian

This tiny book (5.5 inches square) is non fiction and I’m reviewing it, because I think it has a lot of value and will appeal to the parents that check out this site for book suggestions for their middle grade children. The flower on the cover and the topic, might naturally turn away boys, but the depicted character that presents the information is a boy and while it is a token gesture, it is a nice one, to try and make the book and it’s contents appeal to all children. Irregardless of if you have teens, or tweens, or toddlers, girls or boys, I think parents should read the book and use the concepts and framing presented when talking with their children. At least that is what I hope to do. One doesn’t need to wait until their child comes home crying from friend drama, or losing out on something they desperately wanted, to implement the lessons and reassuring bits of mindfulness, it should be the established foundation of how to handle emotions in a healthy way, inshaAllah.

SYNOPSIS:

The book is broken into 14 chapters based on topics covered, and the directions encourage the reader to read them all in order the first time through, then going back to certain sections as needed. The headings include: How to be happy, A Way Out of Every Problem, How to Feel OK If You Wanted Something, but Didn’t Get It, Friends, Feeling Sad, and Talking to Allah. The information is presented in a positive reassuring manner that helps the reader to feel like others have felt this way too, and to try some of the suggestions. It doesn’t belittle or talk down to the feelings one might be having which is great, as the concept of Allah (swt) is incorporated onto every page. Strengthening ones relationship with Allah as a way to cope with stresses and know that He is always there, is the central theme throughout.

The book offers advice on dealing with negative people, negative thoughts, and finding your own positivity and strength with the help of Allah no matter what. The book isn’t dry though, it engages the reader and uses examples children can relate to and comparisons that are tangible. At one point the book talks about shields that reflect back whatever you are giving off. So when you are shining from the inside, you feel better, and so do others around you. When talking about seeing the bigger picture, the book urges the reader to consider seeing an entire room through a key hole and likening it to how we see our own lives seeing only what is happening right now.

The book also takes into account that somethings may take work to feel better, and that it isn’t an easy fix to feel good, but inshaAllah worth the effort. The end summarizes in two points what the previous 36 pages articulate and explore, concluding how to make you shine and be your best self.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love that we are talking to and with children, not just toddlers, about their feelings. We aren’t telling them to just cheer up or be happy or get over it. We are giving them tools that they can carry throughout their lives, inshaAllah. The pages are text heavy, granted the book is small, but the book is thick and the amount of words on the pages could intimidate some, but like I said earlier, even if the child won’t read it, parents will benefit from it and implementing it in the home. Also just having the book sitting around will urge kids to pick it up and thumb through it, I would almost guarantee it.

My critiques are the presentation. I am no expert on the content and what I read seemed logical, and I liked it. Vague I know, hence I don’t review non fiction often, because what do I know? As for the physical annoyances of the book, it is too small. It doesn’t need to be huge, but for the topics covered, it is trivialized by the size, in my opinion.

I don’t mind the font, I mind that it changes size so often and for no other reason it seems than to fit everything on the page. Nearly every chapter is a different size font, but sometimes its even within the same chapter. A few times for example the page on the left appears to be a size 14 font and the text in the same chapter on the right is like an 11, making it seem inconsistent and jarring.. If the idea needed to be bolded, or shouted or whispered, I support playing with font size, but this is not the case, it is so that the picture and text can all fit without having to turn the page, and its not the best solution I feel, its too distracting.

The other inconsistency that I found a bit odd, are the illustrations. The little boy on the cover with his yellow flower and yellow shirt take you through maybe 80% of the book, but on occasion other characters pop up, which is fine, when they are drawn in the same manner, like the frog. But the random appearance of the full color super hero, reminiscent of My Dad’s Beard book, and the full color Migo and Ali looking bears, there’s also a one time appearance of a girl in full color, seems bizarre. I don’t see the cameos as adding a shoutout to the content and author, but more like the books from the 90s that used free clipart to illustrate the pages that otherwise would be text only.

FLAGS:

None

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I think this would be a great book for a school counselor to use as a guideline for group discussions. I think it could be done from the library, but a counselor and students would really benefit from the book and the manner in which the material speaks and empowers youth to shine.

Oct8

Love by Matt de la Pena illustrated by Loren Long

Posted on October 8, 2018 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Love by Matt de la Pena illustrated by Loren Long

This 40-page-book may have a simple title, but most of us know, there is nothing simple about love, and this book shows love in many forms from a child’s perspective as they grow. Sometimes picture books are basic and inspired to teach, or simply entertain. Sometimes when picture books try to do more, the audience is confused when the pictures and amount of text on page don’t seem to align. And sometimes, large pictures, with thoughtful poetry make the pages come to life and sing. The book is written on an AR 3.7, so people thinking this book is for preschool aged children seem to be upset by the concepts hinted at and illustrated, but for older kids, this book has amazing power, and beauty that can show just how complex this universal feeling is.

Love is your parent’s voice, love is burnt toast, love is the stars after your house burns down, love is in your grandpa’s wrinkles, love is staring back at you in the bathroom mirror. But sometimes love also burns out and love is shielding you from things that might hurt you, and love separates people too.

As humans, we can all relate to the same emotions, whether we give and receive love the same, the book shows the value and meaning it has to us all. Hurray for illustrator Loren Long, because page after page, shows diversity of color, mobility, socio economics, age, and religion. On a page where the love of the child is keeping her from seeing the TV that the family is crowded around a cross is present, and then a few pages later,bam, there is a girl in hijab looking up at the trees and listening to the love shared in their rustling.

I had no idea this illustration was present, and gasped aloud. I said nothing to my daughter, finished the book, and handed it to her to read. She turned the page and gasped aloud as well saying, “there’s a muhajaba, haha, we are in it too.” Granted she is my daughter, so environment and genes account for something, but EVERY PAGE I think resonates with someone, and that gasp in my living room from me, from her, could come from anyone who turns a page in this book and bam suddenly feels represented, feels included, feels validated. That my friends, is LOVE.

We are more alike than different.

May14

Mr. Gamal’s Gratitude Glasses by Asmaa Hussein illustrated by Nuria Tomas Mayolas

Posted on May 14, 2018 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Mr. Gamal’s Gratitude Glasses by Asmaa Hussein illustrated by Nuria Tomas Mayolas

Asmaa Hussein over at Ruqaya’s Bookshelf has put out two new books, and this gem of a book is one of them. Mr. Gamal’s class is angry, about lots of little things getting out at dodge ball, the wrong color grapes, having to wait their turn, and it is making for restless, grumpy students. On a trip to the dollar store, the teacher is struck by inspiration when he sees some oversized pink lensed glasses. With a pair for each student, the kids have a week to try out there “gratitude glasses” and report back on their success.

In 36 pages readers ages 5-8 will get to know some of the stresses felt by kids they can relate to, and ways to find “good things, even in tough situations.” They will also learn that the real secret isn’t the glasses, but their own brains discovering “new ways to think about stuff!”

While the kids learn a lesson, Mr. Gamal does too, and so do the readers, alhumdulillah.

The book would be great fun to read in a group accompanied by glasses to hand out and test Mr. Gamal’s idea with. I also think it is great to have on the bookshelf to remind kids that they need to find the positive and break out of their slump.

The kids all have “islamic” names and a few wear hijab (some do not), but there is nothing religious in the book. It would work well in any environment and does a good job of showing diverse characters. The pictures are adequate, I don’t love them, but they compliment the story and set the tone fairly well. The book is a great size for story time (8.5 x 11) and with a thick cover and shiny pages, should hold up to repetitive use.

Mar5

My Mummy’s Tummy by Suzanne Stone illustrated by Suzanne Stone and Omar Faruq

Posted on March 5, 2018 by islamicschoollibrarian

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My Mummy’s Tummy by Suzanne Stone illustrated by Suzanne Stone and Omar Faruq

The copy I have is called My Mummy’s Tummy, but the binding says My Mummy’s Fat Tummy, I would assume that they are the same book except for this one word, and I’m hoping they opted to remove it at the last minute. Actually, while on the title, it only works well for the first four pages and yes, it sets up the story of a new sibling, by page five, the baby is born and mom’s tummy is the least of big sister, Maryam’s worries.

The 24 page rhyming book, is a good introduction to what kids ages 3-6 can expect with a new sibling. From Mummy’s large tummy, to having to stay with an Aunt when Mummy’s tummy starts hurting, Maryam is excited to have a new baby sister, except it ends up being a baby brother. And while she is promised someone to play with, initially all he does is cry and sleep. With gentle prodding by her parents and islamic reminders of patience and kindness, by the end of the book the baby is nearly one and his favorite person is his big sister Maryam, alhumdulillah.

I love the diversity of the parents, and the acknowledging that changes are hard without being condescending or dismissive. The book stays positive and hopeful and reminds us to keep Allah close to us when dealing with challenges and dreaming of the future.

Jun2

Zaid and the Gigantic Cloud by Helal Musleh illustrated by Sabrina Pichardo

Posted on June 2, 2017 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Zaid and the Gigantic Cloud by Helal Musleh illustrated by Sabrina Pichardo

We all experience disappointment and frustration and feeling like a gray cloud is weighing us down, and for Zaid, it really is! In 36 bright colorful pages, children ages 5 and up can see that bad days happen to everyone, and that sometimes it seems like nothing is going right.

Zaid has been waiting for months for a weekend camping trip with his uncle and cousin, but when Ahmed comes down with the chicken pox, the trip is cancelled. That night Zaid barely sleeps he is so upset, and in the morning notices a small grey cloud hovering above him. As he waits for the bus, the autumn leaves remind him that it will soon be too cold to play soccer outside, then he has to sit at the back of the bus, and needless to say its just the beginning of many disappointments in his day, that make the cloud above him grow. But then, a little something out of the ordinary, in the form of a small bird needing help, presents Zaid with a change of pace and a chance to turn his day around. Slowly but surely the cloud starts to shrink and Zaid copes with the rest of the day with a bit of perspective and a growing smile.

The book is a much needed one in showing children coping with emotions in a somewhat autonomous manner. The book doesn’t judge his feelings, but shows how he finds a way to see the silver lining and make do with a string of frustrations. The adults don’t lecture him or solve his problems for him, but are definitely supportive and caring should he need them. The story does a good job of flowing and not getting preachy. I can’t wait to read it to my 6-year-old who has a gray cloud pop up at the slightest disappointment, but currently my 10-year-old has been sent to her room with the book to see if she can relate Zaid’s predicament with her own. The handy discussion questions at the end also can help talk about feelings through Zaid, and hopefully making the child’s connection from a fictional character to their own experiences more poignant.

This book really cemented in my head the growing subcategories of Islamic fiction picture books. Naturally there are books that are geared for Muslim kids only and ones that work for Muslim and non Muslim kids alike. But this book, along with a few of the new releases like it, cover universal themes with Muslim characters (at least by name) and have diversity in their pictures. They show a few characters in hijab but do not mention or explain it, in this book the marshmallow package says halal, again with no explanation. However, there is no specific ayat or hadith that the book stems from or an Islamic pearl that is meant to get through. The characters do not greet each other with salam, or say alhumdulillah and mashaAllah, making it more appealing to a wider audience, but words I hope when the story is being read aloud to Muslim kids, can be sprinkled in. I think it is a great addition to the literary world when Muslims are seen in a larger community and is not jarring. I hope parents of non Muslim children also appreciate this diversity in literature and I pray that it leads to more acceptance in the “real” world, ameen.