Tag Archives: Jenny Molendyk Divleli

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

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

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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.

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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%

What Colour is your Mosque? By Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Aybüke B. Mumcu, Damla Koçak,  Fatma Betül Akbal, Gökhan Özdemir, Gülşah Irmak, Hümeyra Yorgancı, M. Ahmet Demir, Menekşe Özdemir, Özlem Güneş, Şüheda Başer Yılgör, Zeynep Alptekin, Zeynep Begüm Şen  

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What Colour is your Mosque? By Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Aybüke B. Mumcu, Damla Koçak,  Fatma Betül Akbal, Gökhan Özdemir, Gülşah Irmak, Hümeyra Yorgancı, M. Ahmet Demir, Menekşe Özdemir, Özlem Güneş, Şüheda Başer Yılgör, Zeynep Alptekin, Zeynep Begüm Şen  

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Sometimes the idea and presentation of a book make it stand out even if the writing is a bit bland and erroneous.  This book with bright colorful illustrations from 12 different illustrators highlighting the bold colors and designs of 12 masjids around the world is one such book for me.  I think young children will delight in seeing such beautiful masjids and appreciate that Muslims are found all over the world.  Adults and older children will also learn about mosques I’m sure they had never heard of before.  I kind of wish the book was a board book for little hands learning colors to enjoy, but the 8.5 x 8.5 style does suffice for story time and bedtime. 

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The book starts with an introduction to the author, Jenny and her sharing her favorite mosque in Turkey, Hagia Sophia. Each two page spread after that is a child introducing themselves, telling where they are from, and sharing their favorite mosque in their home country.  From Sri Lanka’s Jami Ul Alfar that looks like candy to the purple lights of Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque in Oman.  Some masjids stand out for their colors, others for their 99 domes, and some look like castles or are built out of mud.

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The illustrations reflect the beautiful buildings and radiate with joy from the smiling children introducing them.  I think the text is translated from Turkish to English which might account for some of the errors, but spelling Kabbah with two b’s doesn’t seem right in any language. 

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Despite it all, I’m happy with the book, I think we need to make a more intentional point to instill a sense of global community in our children and celebrate the beauty that our architecture and culture can result in for the worship of Allah swt.

The book is available from here from Crescent Moon Store.

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