Muhammad’s Recipe for Remembering by Maidah Ahmad; Illustrated by Shruti Prabhu

Muhammad’s Recipe for Remembering
by Maidah Ahmad; Illustrated by Shruti Prabhu
Annick Press/Ingram Publisher Services

A moving picture book highlighting a young Muslim boy’s efforts to rediscover his family’s history in the World Wars.

Muhammad wants to take part in his school’s assembly to honor veterans, but no one in his community, let alone his family, has been involved in the World Wars . . . have they? After discussions with his family and elders at his mosque, Muhammad starts to piece together his family’s lost history, and realizes that you don’t need a trophy or medal to remember those you’ve lost–it can be as simple as sharing a piece of roti.

With beautiful, detailed illustrations of historical scenes and Muhammad’s mosque, this is a tender and compassionate story of the importance of passing on memories and experiences through generations, especially of those who have been largely erased from mainstream narratives. A note from the author and other backmatter provide further historical context on Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu soldiers who served in the World Wars.

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss