Tag Archives: how to

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%.

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

Oct4

We Will Meet Again in Jannah: What a Great Day that will be! An Activity book for Bereaved Muslim Siblings by Zamir Hussain illustrated by Emily McCann

Posted on October 4, 2021 by islamicschoollibrarian

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We Will Meet Again in Jannah: What a Great Day that will be! An Activity book for Bereaved Muslim Siblings by Zamir Hussain illustrated by Emily McCann

I don’t review workbooks, or a lot of non fiction books, but by far the most thematic requests I get asked about, are children’s books about bereavement. The loss of a friend or loved one is just not a topic that you see covered very often, if at all. Sure there are books about jannah, but they are more silly and framed as a reward, not about the loss felt that would precede paradise. This 32 page paperback activity book is part reassurance, part encouragement, part discussion starter, and part remembrance all within a faith framework. Much of the book is not sibling specific, perhaps a few tweaks and you could have a grandparent version, a parent version, an aunt or uncle version, etc., even as a parent you may consider adjusting the book as you share it if you are unable to find a specific book for your child’s needs.

The book starts with the author talking to the reader and setting the tone about what has occurred and what is to follow in the book. It then asks the reader to write or share who they are, who passed, and something special they remember about them. It discusses why people die and then starts the two page spreads that address a theme and presents an activity to help you feel better, or to remember or celebrate the one who has died. Topics include: You’re never too big to cry, It’s not your fault, Talking and sharing the pain, Some things will change other’s will stay the same, etc.. Some of the activities are wonderful and can be done in any order, at any time, and others, you may want to adjust. The idea of releasing a balloon, for example, with your worries in it, is symbolically effective, but not so great for the environment. The end of the book has additional resources on how to use the book, things to do with the child, further support, additional resources, and Islamic guidance.

I love that Islamic foundations and vocabulary are not just used, but explained in a very age appropriate, non condescending manner, through out. I love that it is clear that you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, that it is not the child’s job or responsibility to make the adults feel better, that nothing is anyone’s fault, and that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

I wish the book was larger in size and perhaps hardback so that the activities that require writing would have more space and ease in completing. The text for the activities is also very tiny. I also wish that the author’s qualifications for such advices was included. I Googled the author to find out: “Zamir Hussain is a Muslim Chaplain at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has pioneered resources in Islamic health care. She has published several books for bereaved Muslim parents and siblings. She has also developed the first UK blended learning resource, including care plans and pathways for Islamic daily, palliative, end of life and bereavement care for paediatric staff. Zamir has worked as a Muslim Chaplain for both the Heart of England NHS Trust and Birmingham Children’s hospital for over five years, where she has also run training courses for the staff as well as delivering training and talks on care for Muslim patients to organisations around the country.”

We need more books about coping, talking, dealing, understanding death for our children, inshaAllah this is a start, alhumdulillah.

May10

This is Why We Pray: A Story About Islam, Salah, and Dua by Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

Posted on May 10, 2021 by islamicschoollibrarian

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This is Why We Pray: A Story About Islam, Salah, and Dua by Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

This 8×8 softbound 55 page book for ages 5 to 7 is a great resource for learning the basics about the five pillars, wudu, salah and dua. It claims that it is a story, but I feel like that is a bit of a stretch. It has fictionalized framing that is done well, but to call it a story I think is misleading. It is set up like a children’s Islamic text book, think Islamic School or Sunday School curriculum, where there is a story that highlights Islamic concepts with vocabulary, there are breaks to focus on some specific idea from an outside source, in this case the Quran, there are things to think about, questions to answer, and then the same characters re-emerge in the next chapter to repeat the process. The book has an amazing illustrator, but there are only maybe three full page illustrations, four half page illustrations, and the rest are just small glimpses to compliment the heavily text filled pages. I can see myself reading the entire book to my five year old, and then it sitting back on the shelf to be pulled out and revised when we need to go over salat, wudu, or need to learn some duas, and understand the five pillars. I don’t think it will be requested for the “story,” or the pictures, it just isn’t that type of book. It borders fiction and nonfiction, but I think it is closer to nonfiction, and works well as a tool to engage your children with easy to understand text, quality illustrations to see the steps of salat and wudu, and to see Islam practiced in scenarios that young children will recognize, such as playing games, going to the beach, and losing a favorite toy.

The book is divided in to three chapters: The Five Pillars, Offering Salah, and Making Dua. Before the chapters there is a letter from the author to grown-ups and then one to kids. After the final chapter there are reference pages with extra duas and prayers and a glossary.

The first chapter opens with the Abdur-Rahman family playing an Islamic question game. Older sister Aliya knows the five pillars, younger brother Amar needs a little more explaining. The next morning the kids are heading to the beach, but first they have to get up to pray salah and send some food to the neighbor. As the kids drive they talk about Ramadan and their Uncle Sharif having just gone for Hajj. There is then a page dedicated to a Quran Story Time that focuses on Allah swt wanting us to ask him for each and everything no matter how big or small. There is an ayat from the Quran as well as a hadith. The next page is a section called, “What We Can Do Together,” to further learn about the five pillars, and then some questions asking the reader, “What Do You Think?”.

Chapter two has the family at the beach pausing their fun to pray. But first they have to make wudu, and the steps are illustrated and detailed with tips and directions. They then pray, again the steps and words are detailed and illustrated with tips about how to stay focused and the like. The translation of the Arabic is included and the transliteration is as well. The Quran Story Time focuses on Fajr and then the questions and ways to further engage with the information concludes the chapter.

The third chapter is on Dua and has the kids barely making it to Sunday School on time. Papa says he made dua that they wouldn’t be late, and even in class the lesson is on dua. After class Amar can’t find his toy even after making dua and is encouraged to be grateful for what he does have. The Quran Story tells the story of Prophet Muhammad (saw) helping the old woman who is talking bad about the Prophet and how after he helps her and he tells her his name, she converts. I don’t know that, that is in the Quran, I thought it was a hadith?

The kids learn that Allah swt may not answer duas, but will inshaAllah give them something better. There are four additional duas to learn in the moving on section and the bolded words throughout are defined in the glossary.

I’m not sure about the title of the book, it is about more than just prayer, so don’t think that it is limited to just that. It also doesn’t detail the number of rakats or what breaks wudu, it is specific in somethings, but is more a broad overview than an all encompassing handbook on salat.

I think the book is well done and will be useful for most, if not all, Muslim families with young children learning the basics, but it isn’t a picture story book in my opinion, it is more of a fun engaging twist on information that might otherwise be presented in a boring manner.