We need more books like this. Books that don’t dismiss the pressures of celebrating holidays that don’t belong to us and that facilitate conversation. Is this 36 page early chapter book incredible literature, no it is not, but it is important. And I strongly suggest reading this book with your children and discussing the contents sooner rather than later. Not the first week of December, when holiday music and decorations are already in full force, but when in fact, they are not. Talk to your kids before it is an emotional defensive assertion of power. Talk to them when calm thoughtful conversation can occur without being in response to an invitation to a party, or a school/community event. Equip your children and guide them where they are in their understanding. Yes, that means that you the parent will have to read this book first, and then ask your child to read it, or read it with them. It is not long, it is not deep, or a complex story, it is a relatable scenario of a a practicing Muslim kid who weighs his options, makes a choice, gets caught, and is gently talked to by his father. There is openness, their is dialogue, and yeah, it gets a bit preachy at the end, but that is kind of the point. The book does not come out for a few more months, but I hope you will preorder it, and I hope the author may consider releasing it before October. I’m the daughter of a convert, born and raised in America. We need to talk to our kids about holidays, not just demand avoidance or give in to peer pressure and imitate. It isn’t simply saying they have Christmas we have Eid, it needs to be understood, we are Muslim and we do what we do to please Allah swt. In some ways I wish the book was stronger, but every family is different, and this book gives space for you to tailor the conversation for your family about Islam, in relation to both the religious aspects and commercialization of the Christmas holiday.

SYNOPSIS:
Yusuf and his friends love video games, the book opens with them playing at a friend’s house when the conversation turns to the new Nintendo MAAX that will be out for the holidays. It is on all the boys’ wish list, Yusuf doesn’t celebrate Christmas, and the friends know that, but he feels left out thinking he will have to wait six more months until Eid. When his mom picks him up early to take him to the mall to get boots with his sister Yusra, he see’s a raffle for the gaming station and enters. There is just one catch, you have to take a picture with Santa. Yusuf knows Prophet Isa is important in Islam, and is not the son of God (astugfirallah), he also knows that Santa is a fictious character. He hesitates, but then complies, when his sister sees the proof hanging out of his pocket after he makes wudu, their dad decides to talk to them as they walk to the masjid for maghrib.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that the kid and his friends know that he doesn’t celebrate Christmas, that the internal debate is coming from a kid who knows his faith, it is not an identity crisis. He knows what is right and wrong, but yet the debate as to whether a picture with Santa crosses the line or not is still had. I’m sure a lot of Muslims would be fine with it, but a lot wouldn’t, and the conversation about preserving our imaan and imitating others and doing something that stems from a belief we do not share, I think is important to have with kids. Is it ok to do a gift exchange for Christmas if we are Muslim? This family says no, and dad explains it to Yusra and acknowledges that it made her sad to miss out on it. I think these are questions that families wrestle with and often instead of discussing we just ignore. We know gift giving is important and kindness is important, but when it is tied to celebration of God having a child, is that ok? The book does not give fatwas or hadith or get heavy handed, it is a gentle discussion from the father with his young children that is presented in the book and can easily be continued in real life afterward. There isn’t judgement or othering of Muslims and non Muslims, the tone allows for you to think about the concepts both in the fictious scenario, and inshaAllah also in your real life. I think whether you are strong in keeping away from Christmas activities or a little more lenient, you will find this book a benefit and not be offended or annoyed. While I wish the book was a little longer and a bit more polished on the literary side, I appreciate that the book will resonate with families facing similar situations, and that it does so for early elementary kids that are starting to have to make their own decisions when they are at school, with friends, and in front of Allah swt.

I do with the pictures were better and maybe the font a little bigger.

FLAGS:
Christmas and posing with Santa, secrets

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
The book is for younger kids, but I think a weekend school teacher could read it aloud and lead a discussion just as well as a parent doing it at bedtime. Again though, I would present it before December, start the dialogue early so it can be referenced with situations arise.

Preorder/Order here https://amzn.to/3Jrzlsi