Tag Archives: muslim in the illustration

Oct5

Esma Farouk, Lost in the Souk by Lisa Boersenand Hasna Elbaamrani illustrated by Annelies Vandenbosch

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Esma Farouk, Lost in the Souk by Lisa Boersenand Hasna Elbaamrani illustrated by Annelies Vandenbosch

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This fun and silly picture book takes place in a Moroccan shopping center, where a visiting Esma Farouk, suddenly can’t find her mother.  Lost and tearful, the community comes together to help her out: from water carriers, to a man with a monkey, the acrobats, the fortune teller, the musicians, and even the snake charmer. Esma is encouraged to be brave and together they all put on a show, and reunite Esma, Mama, and Auntie Fatima.  There is no Islam, or any religion, in the text, but their are plenty of visible Muslims in the illustrations, in this OWN voice book inspired by the author’s memories of packing peanut butter and cheese on summer trips to visit family.

The book starts with Esma and her family heading to Morocco with their bags bursting with gifts, when they get there they are emptied and quickly refilled with the gifts their family is giving to them.  Esma wants to go to her favorite place, the souk, and Mama and Auntie Fatima are happy to take her.  Mama is in her new purple djellaba’ bargaining, and Esma is watching a snake charmed by music, when suddenly she realizes, Mama is not there.  Panic sets in, but Esma is quickly surrounded by kind strangers willing to help her find her family.

I enjoyed the illustrations and the love and joy and excitement that they brought to the text.  I have no way to know if the details are accurate, but I hope they are as my kids enjoyed going back and getting lost in them, even after the last page was read.  The sense of community and kindness is wonderfully portrayed and the action at the souk, makes it seem like a fantastic place that everyone should go and visit.

Mar21

Until You Find the Sun by Maryam Hassan illustrated by Anna Wilson

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Until You Find the Sun by Maryam Hassan illustrated by Anna Wilson

I don’t know that this book is particularly unique or mind blowing, but I read a digital copy a few weeks ago and was surprised when some tears fell, I read it when I got the physical copy to my kids and my throat caught again, and here I am writing this review and feeling all vulnerable.  It is as if I too am a little girl in a new place missing her grandfather on the other side of the world, which clearly I’m not.  The book is sweet, and moving, and I find myself emotionally invested every time I read through the 32 pages and get lost in the large sweeping illustrations.  The book is not Islamic, there are a few hijabis in the background and text that articulates friends saying salaam before the girl moves.  Additionally, the main character’s name is Aminah, and the author is of Pakistani decent, and has a Muslim sounding name.  The story though, at its core is universal, heartfelt, reassuring, hopeful, and lovely to share in all spaces. It begs to be read aloud and holds the attention of toddlers to early elementary aged children.

The book starts with a happy little Aminah in a bright sparkly environment of sunshine, mangoes, and salaams.  Every night she listens to Da’s stories of adventure as she snuggles next to her grandfather.  One day she finds out they are moving, going on an adventure.  Only Da won’t be joining them and Aminah is devastated.

The new home is gray, and cold, and no adventure at all.  She wants to go back, but Da reassures her during their nightly conversations that things will get better.  And sure enough, with a bit of bright yellow inspiration, she starts to discover the adventures awaiting in her new home.

Kids will find the end hopeful and resolved, but I somehow found it a little bittersweet.  Da loves his grand daughter and wants her happy, but the adult me, realizes their relationship will never be the same, and Da will miss her in many ways, alone, as she embarks on her own life.  I know I’m projecting, but the ability to see both perspectives adds a nice layer to the book.

The book is available here from Amazon and will be in local libraries in June 2024.