This is one of those books that it is hard to know who the target audience is and who would most enjoy the text heavy 40 pages about a boy coming of age in Malaysia by harvesting honey in a traditional manner. The two page spread illustrations are rich and inviting, and with an AR 5.7 level, the book would work well for children that enjoy other cultures, honey, insects, or children that you hope will be inspired to start seeing the world a little differently than they are used to doing.
The story starts with a boy talking about his grandfather and how every year he goes to collect the honey from the tualang trees. The bees travel hundreds of miles and arrive just as the rainforest starts to bloom. The trees that they build their nests in are higher than the eye can see and grandfather, known as Pak Teh, is the leader of the honey hunting clan.
He tells everyone what their jobs will be: some will carry ropes, others pails, others torches. One day, he tells them, someone will have to take his place as the one who climbs all the way up to the top to gather the honey. He believes Nizam, the narrator, is the one.
To prove himself, Nizam has to practice climbing 120 feet into the sky. Nizam and grandfather spend a lot of time together praying five times a day and walking through the dense rain forest. He reminds Nizam that the forest doesn’t belong to them, but to the unseen protector. They enter the forest as if they are visiting a neighbors home.
At night all the hunters sit together and Grandfather tells the traditional story of the bees. A story that involves a beautiful servant girl named Hitam Manis who worked in the Sultan’s palace and how the Sultan’s son and her were in love. When the Sultan found out he ordered the girl run out from the kingdom. As she and her loyal friends fled she was hit by a metal spear. She did not die, but her and her friends were magically transformed into a swarm of bees. Because it was metal that harmed her, she ruled that metal was never allowed to touch the honey. Hence, when the bee hunters harvest they use a bone knife, leather pouches, and a wooden ladder.
When it is time to enter the forest, it is pitch dark with no moonlight. The hunters tap their glowing torches against the trees sending light sparks to the ground to tempt the bees and leaving their nests free for Nizam to collect the honey from. For seven nights they climb the trees, and then they return home. With greetings of salam, peace be upon you, Grandfather informs the family that when he can no longer climb the tree, Nizam will carry on the tradition.
The book ends with factual information about Malaysia, the rainforest, giant honey bees, honey hunters, and the future.
This 32 page picture book meant for preschool to 3rd grade really should be required reading for EVERYONE. So many lessons, so beautifully conveyed in the simple text and beautiful illustrations that I made each of my kids read or listen to it and then discuss: self confidence, nay sayers, self esteem, race, passion, body image, kindness, and perseverance to name a few. Accelerated Reader Level is 3.2 as older kids will understand a bit more than the younger ones, but I truly believe all will benefit. Written by a Muslim woman of color, featuring a girl of color and illustrated by a woman of color, this OWN voice book has it all for girls and boys alike.
Mikaeel and Malaika are back in this 32 page hardback book that explores why duas sometime seem not to come true. Done in a hilarious manner that brings in riddles and problem solving elements, it is perfect for 6-8 year olds. Younger children will enjoy the beautiful illustrations and silliness, and older children (and parents) will thoroughly enjoy Big Boss’s play on words and the illustrations showing his parenting style. I’ve read the book multiple times to myself, my toddler, and even my older kids; each time surpressing a smile and enjoying the message lovingly and entertainingly conveyed: “rewards are best when the time is right.”
Islamic School Librarian 