Tag Archives: senses

Jan22

A Ramadan Night by Nadine Presley illustrated by Asma Enayeh

Posted on January 22, 2026 by islamicschoollibrarian

This 40 page picture book balances prose and lyrical language with touchpoints that young children will recognize and relate to. Using the senses of sound, sight, and smell, a young boy, Sami, seeks to understand what his father means by his remark, that it “feels like a Ramadan night,” as they head off for Taraweeh at the masjid. The silliness of the little boy asking the moon, the sidewalk, the echoes, the carpet, and more personified inanimate objects, unearths a deeper more resonate layer of faith, community, and connection. The joy felt in Ramadan through acts of fasting all day, praying all night, giving charity, and being with others, is not easy to articulate. And this book not only takes you on a journey through Sami finding his answers, but with a little prodding, will urge Muslim children, and adults, to try and describe their own emotional attachment to the blessed month, while at the same time, also being a wonderful choice to share with non Muslims who often cannot understand that even children are genuinely excited for the worship in Ramadan, that is not yet required of them. The bright engaging illustrations and the culminating universal climax of sweets, brings the occasionally overly flowery language back to a child’s level and grounds it. Sami finds his answer as the night unfolds moving the story along and with the unapologetic Islamic centering of the religious month, I can’t wait for my physical preorder to arrive, so that I can share it with my community this Ramadan. The book releases in a few days and I hope you too will preorder, or request from your library, to signal to the publisher that we want unapologetic Islamic representation, and will support the books that are well crafted, appealing, and Islam centered.

Set in Syria, the book starts with Sami and his father sitting outside eating together, when Sami’s father says that it “feels like a Ramadan night.” Sami isn’t so sure, but his father isn’t about to offer a simple reply, and instead urges him as they head out the door to Taraweeh, to find his own answer. So Sami asks the crescent moon, who tells him that, “Ramadan nights are lights.” Sami isn’t so sure, but but he sees the golden lanterns glittering, and faithful hearts shining and eyes twinkling as his foot steps make noise on the sidewalk. This has him ask the sidewalk next. Where he is made aware of the eager steps, and celebrating streets full of hope. His own feet bring him closer to the masjid where echoes of laughter are heard. The echoes, when asked, speak of peace, and so Sami’s journey continues through salat, playing outside, and delighting in sweets, before returning to his “hug of a home” and knowing in his heart what a Ramadan night feels like to him.

The heartfelt warmth, contentment, and love of Ramadan radiates through the book’s language and illustrations. The melding of story, with Islamic centering, and a little boys journey makes the book authentic and delightful, alhumdulillah.

Apr22

The City of Jasmine by Nadine Presley illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee

Posted on April 22, 2025 by islamicschoollibrarian

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The City of Jasmine by Nadine Presley illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee

With a release date of May 6, I really wanted to wait to post a review because the images are gorgeous in the electronic version, and I can only imagine how moving and captive they will be presented in a physical format, but alas I know the importance of presales and am sharing to hopefully encourage you to preorder and/or request from your library, this gorgeous 40 page OWN voice book. A love letter to Damascus, and the sights, sounds, smells, taste, and feelings that the author remembers despite the mountains and oceans that now separate her, are lyrically shared with readers on a journey through the city. The ethereal lilting of words draw readers of all backgrounds in, and the complimentary gorgeous illustrations convey a palpable sense of beauty, love, and memories of home. Even on a screen, they force you to get lost in their beauty. The cadence of the words allow natural pauses that tug on your eyes and draw them toward something in the images not seen before, forcing the readers and listeners alike to hesitate before turning the page.

The book starts with a little girl telling where she comes from, “the City of Jasmine,” “the Umayyad Mosque,” “Ghouta,” “Damascus,” “Qasioun,” “Qala’at Dimashq,” headers for spreads rich with poetry, wonder, and longing.

Neighborhoods of diverse families gathering, and sharing the foods that bring people together, and quiet bookshops that facilitate travel through time. Family memories built around orchards and fountains and laughter and love. So far away from the author now, the memories are not lost, they can be touched when the scent of jasmine is “breathed in, and breathed out.”

The book concludes with an author’s note and a glossary. Those of us who are not Syrian, and who have never been, after spending time with this book will undoubtedly be tempted to add Damascus to our bucket list of travel plans, and inshaAllah as the country rebuilds such trips will come to fruition.

Jun26

A Sensational Journey “Medina” by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Seda Cubukbi Antli

Posted on June 26, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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A Sensational Journey “Medina” by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Seda Cubukbi Antli

A journey to and through Medina with a focus on the five senses is a lovely concept for a book and the book is an enjoyable read for young children with the internal map, details about he Rawdah, the inclusion of Masjid Quba, Masjid al-Qiblatian, Mount Uhud, Archers Hill, and ajwa dates. The book is a little text heavy, as a decent amount of information is shared, but the illustrations are enjoyable and will help hold the attention of early elementary children. The use of sight, smell, taste, feel and sound are woven into the story, they are not highlighted or the organizing format of the book. Bonus material includes a QR code to listen to “Tala ‘al Badru ‘Alayna,” a glossary, and follow up activities.

The book starts with a little boy headed from Mecca to Medina, “the city of Prophet Muhammed’s (saw) mosque and grave, and a hope to find out why “everyone says Medina feels ‘special.'” As he sees Bedouins in the desert he wonders what they eat and how they survive. He then sees a gas station lit up like an amusement part.

As they get closer to Medina they listen to “Tala’al Badru ‘Alayna.” When they arrive at the hotel they smell oud and fall asleep. The next morning he wakes up to the sound of the athan and they walk the streets taking in the sights and smells. The color of the green dome is noted and the rose smell of the carpet when they make sujood included.

The Rawdah and the umbrellas each get their own two page spread, and then a tour guide takes them to Masjid Quba, Masjid Al-Qiblatayn, and Mount Uhud. The tour finishes with a visit to the date orchards and playing and napping in the mosque.

I wish it used the word Masjid every time, it uses both, and I’m not sure why it doesn’t just say Fajr instead of the morning prayer. I appreciate framing it as a story, but the beginning with the Bedouins and the gas station seemed to slow the story down and my littles wanted answers as to why there were so many lights and how the people in the desert survived. I also would have liked if the backmatter detailed more about Masjid al Quba and Qiblatayn, and Uhud, ultimately I wish there was more showing the little boy feeling why Medina is special and not just saying he now understands.

I’m not sure why I only ordered the Medina book and not the Mecca one as well, they are stand alone reads, but the Medina one references that that they have come after being in Mecca so consider if you are getting one to get both. I ordered mine here. Use code ISL (Islamic School Librarian initials) at checkout to save 10%.

Jan27

A Dupatta Is…by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anu Chouhan

Posted on January 27, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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A Dupatta Is…by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anu Chouhan

I read this 30 page early elementary book a few times before writing this review and honestly my cheeks hurt because I cannot stop smiling. The lyrical writing radiates warmth and pride, culture and tradition, legacy and identity, while acknowledging both the playfulness and solemnness of a piece of fabric. My heart breathed with the clarity and articulation that is felt and contained within the fabric that perhaps all Pakistanis feel, but cannot convey so poetically. The book may be meant for children four to eight years old, but all readers will appreciate the text and illustrations that seamlessly flow like a favorite dupatta grabbed while running out the door. I struggled with picking only a few images to share, as every page became my new favorite as the book progressed. Admittedly though, one page did give me pause as it conflated incense burning with getting rid of evil spirits which comes across as a religious belief, but is a cultural practice.

The book starts out with the actual physical description of what a dupatta is and how it is adorned. It then moves on to describing the color, the sound, the smell, the place, the function, the art, the beauty, the fun, the faith, the legacy, and the identity. Each spread ends with the words, “but a dupatta is so much more…” seamlessly weaving so many facets of what a dupatta is together to create a true understanding of it from a tangible, to cultural, to practical perspective.

I love that there is a page about faith, and praying five times a day with a dupatta being worn, it is a little odd that there is a portrait decorating the wall behind the two characters making dua, but at least it is clearly behind them. I absolutely loved that so often the wearer of the dupatta was also wearing a hijab, particularly the bride picture- which is absolutely gorgeous. It signals without words that a dupatta can be worn to cover a Muslim woman’s head, but it is also often not. The backmatter further details that it was once worn as part of the national dress and as a form of modesty, but now is often worn as an accessory.

One summer in Pakistan, a friend and some cousins and I started trying to formulate 101 Things to do with a dupatta (wipe noses, pull things out of the oven, catch fish), it was the year of net dupattas so clearly covering your head was not one of them. Sure we were being silly, but to see the book also highlight wiping sticky hands, and wrapping it up like a sari, and using it as a cradle to rock a baby was very, very accurate and heartwarming.

Please pre order this book, it signals to publishers that these books are in demand and is a way to show what type of books we want to see. I preordered mine here.

Jan28

Allah Gave Me Two Eyes to See. . . by Fatia M. D’Oyen illustrated by Stevan Stratford

Posted on January 28, 2019 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Allah Gave Me Two Eyes to See. . . by Fatia M. D’Oyen illustrated by Stevan Stratford

This series (Allah Gave me Two Hands and Feet, Allah Gave Me a Nose to Smell, Allah Gave Me a Tongue to Taste, Allah Gave Me Two Ears to Hear) has been around for over 15 years and is a staple in most Islamic School libraries, and Islamic preschool classes. They aren’t really fiction in that there is a story, but they are rhyming verses thanking Allah for our five senses in a hard 8 x 8 bound, 32 page, 3-5 year old age appropriate book.

Allah Gave Me Two Eyes to See, starts with eyes, but covers all five senses equally. The book uses rhyming lines to give examples of what we can explore through our senses to understand Allah’s gifts.

After the senses, the book tells us about Allah giving us a mind to think, and a heart to love, and how we should thank him for all we have been given. The pictures aren’t great, but they aren’t off-putting. It gives kids the chance to connect words to pictures in a very literal sense as it shows exactly what is being mentioned in the text.

While I questioned to review this book or not, I thought I should because it is such a staple in preschool through kindergarten classes when discussing the body parts, gratitude and the five senses. So many other books discuss the blessings all around us, but might require a little more discussion for this age group to understand how we know Allah through our senses and through our experiences.

I used this book when I used to teach Sunday school, I saw my mom a preschool teacher for years and years use this book when introducing the senses, and when I was asked recently to read books about body parts, I reached for the series to see if they were still relevant and sure enough they are, Alhumdulillah.