Tag Archives: Picture book

Oct2

Time to Pray by Maha Addasi, Arabic translation by Nuha Albitar, illustrated by Ned Gannon

Posted on by
Standard

Time to Pray by Maha Addasi

On the surface this book presents itself to be fabulous: the large size, the dual language, the length (32 pages), and concept.  But alas, sadly, I was a little let down with the story, the characters, even the pictures.  The details about the characters are vague, the reader doesn’t know where the story takes place, where the girls parents or the rest of her family are (until the end), why she doesn’t know how to pray, and the climax isn’t really much of a surprise.  After reading this post from the author I appreciate that she left the location vague, to as not be burdened by one specific country, and I can see the origins of why the call to prayer from her own childhood is what the story focuses on.  I can also imagine the wealth of information and details that she had to sort through to decide what is needed to carry the story and what would ultimately repel a young reader.  All that in to consideration however, still didn’t connect me to the story of young Yasmin and her Grandma. Not to mention I didn’t have all the author’s justifications or rationale before reading it.

 IMG_3163

The pages have both English and Arabic text and is written for older children. Despite the initial appearance of being a children’s picture book, it has an AR level of 4.2 and has some Arabic words in the text, an Author’s Note in the back and detail of Prayer Times in the back, as well.

IMG_3164

The pictures I want to say are beautiful, but for some reason I didn’t love them.  I am no art critic and they are detailed and large and I should probably ask a child, but here is one for you to decide your thoughts about them on your own.

IMG_3162

Additionally I’m not sure if she is washing her foot her, as part of Wudu, the obligatory cleansing before prayer, which in this case, would be portrayed erroneously, or if she is drying her foot, either way Grandma looks sad to me and not content or excited to prostrate to her creator.

All is not lost though in this book about a girl learning about prayer with her grandma and being surprised by a prayer outfit. prayer rug, and Athan clock when she gets home and finds while unpacking.  But some of the best parts are subtle and might not be gleamed by unassisted readers.  For example how Grandma dresses at home versus when she is out, that because Yasmin is young she is not reprimanded for not praying, or how patient and loving the Grandma is in a slower paced environment.  Overall, the book is unique in that it gives an introduction to Muslim’s prayers to both Muslim and non Muslim readers alike, but for such potential I felt it fell short of being fabulous.

Sep14

Going to Mecca by Na’ima B. Robert illustrated by Valentina Cavallini

Posted on by
Standard

Going to Mecca

With Hajj starting in the next few days, this is a wonderful book to share with children (and adults) of all ages. The simple text flows, although it doesn’t rhyme, and is action oriented as the reader is encouraged to accompany a family on the rituals of Hajj.  The short sentences keep the book flowing and give the Arabic terms for the actions being performed.   The pictures show what each step looks like and are large, inviting, and colorful.  While the text doesn’t give abundant detail to someone unfamiliar with Hajj, there is basic information about Hajj at the end of the book.

Overall the book, in my opinion, works best for those familiar with Hajj and Islam. For those who are not, they will understand the basics, but probably be at a loss to delve much deeper or to answer any questions without further research. I plan to read it for story time at school and use a storyboard with the students after the initial reading to see what they can recall about the steps of Hajj, supplement, and share with their peers.  I also plan to read it with my own children to do the same, as it leaves plenty of holes where those with more knowledge about the details will feel empowered in contributing to the story discussion and thus making the book enjoyable and engaging for older aged children.

The book is not AR, but most second graders should be able to read it independently without trouble.

May1

Jameela’s Great Idea by Surriah Igram

Posted on by
Standard

jameela's great idea

Jameela’s Great Idea by Surriah Igram is a good read-a-loud story for small groups.   A simple story of a girl seeing her father give sadaqa, charity, on a nightly trip to the masjid, wants to also give charity.  But, to do so, she must first find a way to acquire some money.  Her ideas are lavish, over the top and  silly, but her ever patient mom let’s her pick one idea to bring to fruition, which luckily, alhumdulillah, is the only reasonable one presented.  I feel like discussion is needed with this story to provide commentary on why the ideas are not practical even though her intention is so noble.  The story is very simple, linear, and age appropriate.  It works well for preschool and kindergarten age groups with big colorful pictures, large font, and its oversized presentation.  The message is beautiful as are the pictures.  Little Jameela has a supportive involved family, they enjoy going to the mosque, they behave in the mosque, yet have fun outside in the yard, and images of covered and uncovered characters are present.  Arabic and English signage decorate the landscape and the book isn’t too long at 30 pages.  After reading it, I think children will enjoy going back to look at the pictures, however, I don’t see it being a high demand repeat read request.  Once through is pretty sufficient in getting the message, chuckling, having a little talk about it, and then moving on.  The book is a great introduction to the importance of charity in Islam, but would need to be supplemented to fully convey to even the little ones, the value of giving to others.

Jan7

Allah Created Everything by C. Alta

Posted on by
Standard
Allah Created Everything by C. Alta

allah created everything

The version I have is called Allah Created Everything, but it seems that the more common edition is God Created Everything, regardless the book is beautiful, timeless, and a perfect book for story time with the little ones.  The simple words and beautiful illustrations are the perfect level for Daycare through Kindergarten students.  They can gaze at the pictures and absorb the simple text, and even participate in a powerful conversation after about how Allah/God created us all, and everything around us.

The Blades of Grass,
The Oceans and Seas ,
The Rocks-
The Soil-
The Beautiful Trees,
The Majestic Mountains That We See,
Allah Created Everything.
The Dog-
The Cow-
The Whales-
The Birds, The Spiders and Bees,
The Wild-
The Tame-
Allah Created Everything.
The Sun,
The Moon,
The Rainbow-
The Clouds, Tornadoes, Volcanoes,
Lightning Shattering the Skies.
People of the World,
Shapes-
And Colors We See,
Allah Created Them
Just like You and Me.
Jan3

Four Feet Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed Illustrated by Doug Chayka

Posted on by
Standard

four feet

A beautiful hardback picture book I picked up at the Scholastic Warehouse sale, at 32 pages long and an AR level 3.2, Four Feet, Two Sandals, works well as both a story time selection to younger students and as independent reading for up to 5th grade.  The story is about two refugee girls that come to know each other when relief workers throw donated clothes for the people and Lina and Feroza each end up with one sandal each of a beautiful pair.  Rather than fighting or being ungrateful, the girls work out a plan so that they can both enjoy the sandals and in the process, become friends.  The girls share their stories with one another, and thus the reader, about how their families have been affected by war and how they came to be at this refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan.  The girls dream of school and their futures and show the readers a bit of their daily struggles getting water and doing chores.  When Lina’s name shows up on a list to go to America, and Feroza’s does not, the friends must part and decide who gets the sandals.

While it probably bothers some that America is seen as the saving grace to sweep Lina to a better life and pander to an American audience. I think it makes sense seeing as the book was co-authored by the executive director of the Pittsburgh Refugee Center and was inspired by a refugee girl who asked “why there were no books about children like her.”  Clearly refugees do get a chance at a new life when other countries open their borders and stories like this that give our children insight into the world they have left behind, with the hopes of fostering compassion, is something that I definitely want to share with my own children and students.

The author’s website and reading guide: http://www.karenlynnwilliams.com/files/sandals_guide.pdf

Jul5

Ramadan By Suhaib Hamid Ghazi Illustrated by Omar Rayyan

Posted on by
Standard

ramadan

I remember when my parents first acquired this book (maybe they ordered it or it was a gift, I’m not sure), in 1996 there weren’t a lot of Islamic picture books to choose from and I took it to Sunday school to share with my students.  My preschool class loved the pictures, but the text was way over their heads and I had to summarize it to keep their focus.  Nearly twenty years later, there are a lot more options, yet the illustrations of this beautiful book are still mesmerizing to children, and the text is still too lengthy, factual, and complex to engage most children under 10 years old.

Hakeem, the main character in the book, explains not only Ramadan and fasting in detail, but also the basic tenets of Islam, words in Arabic with English descriptions, and makes numerous comparisons to other religions.  Everything is tastefully done, and probably was written to appeal to both Muslim and non Muslim children, allowing the reader to identify with Islam through whatever background they come from.  The result, unfortunately, results in a book with very little “story” and a whole lot of information.  It reads like a research paper on Islam, with a fictional boy thrown in to tell it in a simple way.  However, it isn’t a child’s voice speaking, and if the pictures weren’t so wonderfully done, no child would be at all tempted by the book.

That being said, if you have multiple aged children in your family, it works well to let the little ones look at the pictures while you “tell” them about Ramadan, and later letting the older ones build on their knowledge of Islam and Ramadan.  It doesn’t lend well to story time or larger groups in my experience, but could be a way to share information on Islam to curious adults, new converts, or young adults looking for the basics without being consumed by a text book.