Author: hijabilibrarians

Posted in Books, Reviews

The Most Exciting Eid By Zeba Talkhani

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Talkhani, Zeba. The Most Exciting Eid. Illus. by Abeeha Tariq Feb. 2024. 24p. Scholastic, $7.99. ISBN 9781338877816.  Grades PreK – 2

In this Eid story, Safa and her family, cued as having Pakistani heritage, see the new moon marking the end of Ramadan. Knowing that it is now Eid ul-Fitr, Safa looks forward to all the things her family will do. There is decoration of their home, henna decoration for hands, and preparation for the next day which will bring a family party with new outfits, delicious food, and presents. In her prayers Safa asks Allah for a new bicycle, and is delighted when she gets it, but when her cousin Alissa asks if she can have a turn on the bicycle, Safa does not want to share.

Though it is during the party, Safa’s mother calls her into the kitchen telling her that this year she is now old enough to help to bring food to their neighbors and visit with them. While on their visits, Safa spends time thinking about how they make their neighbors happy and how sharing makes her feel connected to others. Finally, Safa and her mother stop at her grandparents’ house. She is happy to see them, but there is no explanation as to why her grandparents are not at the family party. Returning home, Alissa tells Safa that she had been looking for her, and later pages show them riding bicycles. Readers may wonder why the narrative wanders in its sequence, but the celebration of Eid and discussions of sharing and the spirit of giving may help families introduce their children to Eid, Islamic phrases, concepts, and practices while also observing interwoven aspects of Pakistani Muslim culture.

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Chef Yasmina And The Potato Panic by Wauter Mannaert

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Mannaert, Wauter,; Illustrated by Wauter Mannaert; Translated By Montana Kane. Chef Yasmina And The Potato Panic. Jan. 26, 2021, 160pp. First Second, $14.99. (9781250622044). Grades 3-6

Chef Yasmina And The Potato Panic, a graphic novel by Belgian artist Wauter Mannart and translated by Montana Kane, follows 11-year-old aspiring chef Yasmina. Yasmina and her father Omran live in an apartment in Brussels, Yasmina preparing their vegetarian meals to eat at home and for Omar to take to his work at a frites shop. A photograph of a woman wearing hijab implies that Yasmina’s mother has passed away and that the family is Muslim, but there are no indicators of specific racial, ethnic, or cultural identity of the family. Yasmina’s cooking is delicious, their limited budget supplemented by Yasmina’s resourceful foraging and friends running community gardens. Still times are tight, and despite her initial reservations, Yasmina finds herself occasionally sneaking onto the lush rooftop garden of her mysterious upstairs neighbor to pilfer ingredients. 

When a big potato corporation buys up farms in the city and its outskirts things change for Yasmina. The company wants to monopolize the potato market with genetically modified crops, engineered to be irresistibly addictive, so much so that the populace start displaying bizarrely gluttonous, aggressive zombie-ish behavior. Yasmina no longer has access to as much fresh produce and her visits to the rooftop garden increase. While Yasmina is discovered she also find out that her elusive neighbor has a surprising link to this disturbing corporate potato scheme. Rallying her friends, Yasmina embarks on a daring (and silly) mission to expose the truth, take down the corporation, and restore balance to her community.

Mannaert’s narrative is fun and charming, but also visually engaging, employing sequential vignettes along with traditional panels to propel the story forward with dynamic action sequences, and find balance between words and illustrations. Older readers or those reading with children can approach the narrative with surface level fun or ask deeper questions around healthy eating, access to fresh produce, and even genetically modified foods. Still, it is up to the readers to engage in nuanced conversation about food access as well as the costs and benefits of GMOs, corporate interests, and food insecurity and shaming of food choices in the context of access and the privilege in food waste, particularly for readers in the United States. Still, this graphic novel raises awareness of access to food in a way that is fun, celebrates joy in cooking, and community. 

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Do You Even Know Me? by Faruqi, Reem, Illustrated by Ani Bushry

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Faruqi, Reem Illustrated by Ani Bushry. Do You Even Know Me? May 7, 2024, 40pp. HaperCollins (9780063206182). Grades Prek-2nd

Do You Even Know Me? By Reem Faruqi and illustrated by Ani Bushry, addresses bullying and Islamophobia in a picture book for young readers that is both gentle and powerful. When elementary student Salma hears the word Muslim coming from a news anchor on tv, she is disturbed by the expression on the woman’s face, which is one of anger. Salma states that she is a Muslim, and that both her name and religion mean peace. She tells readers of how she is a peacemaker at home, between her siblings, to ants, and in the lunch line at school. She and her best friend Skye do everything together, but on a day that Skye is absent, another classmate, Luke, asks where Skye is and that “probably no one will ever sit with you or your people anymore.​​” Salma is upset but can’t react in time, and Luke continues his bullying, bumping into Salma on the playground with an insincere apology.

Salma gets advice from her siblings and friends, but after a classroom read-aloud about bullies results in Luke positioning himself as an anti-bully to their classmates and teacher, she does not know what to tell her teacher. Luke’s bullying becomes more and more prevalent, and Salma sits with the discomfort of her feelings over both the bullying and her inability to act. But when in the lunchroom Luke whispers “Muzzlim” to her, Salma is propelled to ask the titular question. When Luke responds by saying ”I know all about Muzzlims from TV,” Salma asserts her identity as a Muslim and tells him “what you see on TV is not who I am.” Observed by her teacher and classmates, Salma is able to recount everything that has happened and Luke faces consequences for his actions. 

In the days following Luke does not interact with Salma, but later attempts to brush his bullying under the rug. Salma does not let him do this, telling her how he made her feel, and he apologies, this time with sincerity. But when Luke’s best friend is absent one day, Salma remembers how that felt and reaches out, hinting at a future of friendship and understanding. 

Faruqi’s narrative addresses bullying and Islamophobia with nuance and complexity, considering childhood friendships and the weaponization of prejudice and its impact, alluding to the impact of media portrayals of Muslims on a national level on a personal every day one. Salma’s instances of standing up for herself model pathways towards resolutions with restorative practices and accountability. 

Accompanying the text are Bushry’s illustrations, which speak volumes in their simplicity and warmth. The soft colors and rounded shapes complement the story’s gentle yet profound message, by focusing on the everyday in Salma’s life–from pictures decorating the family home and endpapers to friend and family dynamics–deliberately humanizes Muslim children to emphasize both commonality and the responsibility of knowing real people. 

Backmatter enriches the reading experience, with both author and illustrator notes that provide valuable insights into real-world issues such as the Muslim ban, the dangers of misinformation, and emphasis on human connection. Anti-bullying resources include links to the Islamic Networks Group (ING) and Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), empowering readers to navigate complex topics with understanding and compassion and to learn. It is important to note that negative media images directly impact Muslim students. An 2020 ISPU report found in a survey of Muslim families just over half (51%) with children in K-12 public schools reported a child of theirs had been bullied for their faith in the past year. One-third of those bullied report that a teacher or school official was the bully.

Do You Even Know Me? resonates as a timely reminder of the importance and deliberate work of inclusivity, acceptance, and restorative practice. Through Salma’s journey, young readers are encouraged to embrace their identities, stand up against prejudice, and foster empathy in their communities.

Posted in Blog Posts

Hijabi Librarians Activity Update

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Salaam/Greetings of Peace!

You may have noticed over the past year that our site content has slowed down.

The reality of professional responsibilities and other life changing events, many as a result of the pandemic, have meant that we have been unable to be consistently active.

We are now projecting that our Favorites list will be posted in January 2024 and include titles from both 2022 and 2023. Our release calendar continues to be updated with more regularity. As our membership and roles transition, we hope for a return to normal reviews and activity, insha’Allah.

Thank you for your readership, support, and consideration!

-The Hijabi Librarians

Posted in Author Interviews, Books

Author Interview & Book Spotlight: Aya Khalil – The Night Before Eid

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An image of the author from her website: ayakhalil.com

Aya Khalil is the author of award-winning picture book, The Arabic Quilt (illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan), Egypt (illustrated by Magda Azab), upcoming books The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale (with Anait Semirdzhyan, August 2023), and The Night Before Eid (illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh) released on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Along with her work as an author in children’s literature, Khalil is a freelance journalist and holds a master’s degree in Education with a focus in teaching English as a second Language. She is involved in a variety of organizations — co-founder of Kidlit in Color, a Muslim Highlights Foundation Storyteller, and serves as a mentor for PBRising Star 2022, Kweli 2022 and DVDebut 2022.

Interview Questions were compiled by Hadeal Salamah and Ariana Hussain. 

If you feel comfortable with this question, how do you identify? (i.e. nationality, ethnicity, etc.)
Sure! I am Egyptian. I was born in Zagazig (yes that’s the real name), Egypt and immigrated to the U.S. when I was one.

When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer? What inspired you to become a writer? Growing up I loved writing, anything and everything. I loved writing in my journals, poetry, notes and letters to friends and cousins. In high school I fell more in love with it after my English teacher praised my writing and often shared my essays in class. I majored in English literature and communications and worked as a journalist for a few years. I enjoyed that, but I went on to get a master’s degree in education and taught for a little bit. I was getting frustrated with the lack of picture books with Muslim and/or Arab characters so I decided I would learn and write kidlit!

We talk a lot about windows and mirrors for marginalized readers/reader’s of color. Where and when did you first see yourself in literature? We recognize that identity is intersectional, so please do list multiple titles, if applicable, that coincide with your identity.
In high school we read some work by Muslim authors, but not American Muslims. I also read Umm Zakiyyah’s novels If I Should Speak and A Voice both of which I remember came out in the early 2000s. I really enjoyed them. I don’t remember ever seeing or reading a children’s book with characters who looked like me out and about. My parents would get us some books from Egypt in the summer, but they were either too difficult to read (in Arabic) or not interesting enough. It was when Reem Faruqi and Hena Khan’s books came out that I knew how important these books were to children, especially seeing them at libraries, schools and bookstores.

We absolutely loved The Arabic Quilt, it was one of our favorites from 2020, and we are thrilled to see The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story. What has been the most meaningful reaction to your book from a reader?
Thank you so much! I can’t believe The Arabic Quilt has been out for three years it’s still doing so well. I still get messages from teachers, parents and readers thanking me for writing it and how it made them feel seen. I actually got an email a few weeks ago from an adult reader and writer who came across my book at the library displayed on the top shelf. She said she was filled with joy to read a book about an Egyptian girl (she is Egyptian too) and said her heart was filled with recognition. I love when children say they enjoy my books, but I feel even more grateful when adults or young adults enjoy it because they never saw such books when they were young.

We understand that editors/publishers pair authors and illustrators together. Was it a surprise to be paired with Rashin Kheiriyeh as an illustrator for The Night Before Eid? What were elements of her illustrations that captured your story best?
I love her illustrations and was so excited to be working with her. She captured everything so well, and I especially loved the facial expressions throughout, because there are so many emotions from teita and Zain. She captured the love and tenderness between Zain and teita so well! I also absolutely love the cat she added throughout the book because it makes reading it out loud so much fun.

How important was it for you to include the character of Zain and his relationship with (and gentle teaching of) his Teita? Can you tell us more about your inspiration for Zain and their relationship?
I feel like part of my author brand now is intergenerational relationships! A big part of Egyptian culture (and Arab and Muslim culture) is respect and kindness towards elders. In this picture book, there is kindness towards teita, but also so much respect is shown to the boy. He’s given tasks to do, he struggles, he comes up with a solution and in the end he feels empowered. Teita explains the history of the special cookies to Zain, and Zain loves listening to her, and in the end, they enjoy this beautiful intimate moment drinking tea and eating left over cookies. It’s such an emotional and beautiful scene that Rashin brought to life with her beautiful illustrations. I have fond memories of baking with my grandma when she visited from Egypt and also I love watching my own mother and my children bake and spend time together.

Though we have some books about Eid, more are always welcome and needed. The focus of your story is very unique and affirming, and goes beyond eidiya and new clothes to focus on family tradition and generational stories and ancestral ties. What was the most important thing that you wanted to include in this narrative about Eid?
There are so many layers in this picture book, from traditions to history to food to sharing. I started writing this in 2019 but I completely revised when the world shut down in March 2020. I wanted readers to feel like they’ve been given a big hug that they had missed during the beginning of the pandemic. So it was important to have these sweet intimate moments with teita and Zain and also the history of ka’ak was so interesting when I was doing research for this story so I felt like I had to include it! There are many traditions sprinkled in like henna, eidiya and Eid songs, but the most important thing is spending special moments with loved ones during the holidays and of course sharing delicious treats during those times.

You also included a detailed author’s note about Eid, photographs of your family and your celebrations and a recipe for Ka’ak, and khayamiya. Did you feel like you had to include more back matter? We thought that this really enriched the experience of reading the book and gave it a very culturally specific (loved the Egyptian dialect!) and individual lens to an Eid celebration of your family, that emphasized the diversity of Muslim communities. Was this important for you to include in addition to the book?
Thank you so much! I wanted to include more information about Eid in the back matter, as you know there’s only so many words you can write in a picture book. I wanted to add that personal note about me growing up and celebrating Eid and how it’s so different now because it was also part of the reason I wrote this book. Because I never read Eid books with my parents growing up or read Eid books in the classrooms. Eid culture in America now is so different than Eid culture decades ago and I hope that this book will continue to be part of Muslim family’s Eid traditions.

Both The Arabic Quilt and The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story have important lessons, affirmation and agency for Muslim children, their families, non-Muslim readers and educators. You capture Zain’s excitement and pride in being able to share ka’ak with his classmates. What are some effective ways that families and educators can create more awareness and deliberate joy around Muslim holidays and identity?
I love this question. I grew up in public schools most of my life and there was very little out there for educators and for Muslim families. I mean, now, if you search Eid and Ramadan decor, it’s so overwhelming with all of the choices. Me and author/illustrator Huda Fahmy made a Practical Guide for Educators for Ramadan that’s been popular over the past few years. For the most part, teachers and administrations are very welcoming of ideas, tips and Eid/Ramadan book donations and read alouds. Last year I created a Ramadan basket for the fasting students in my kids’ school and they had the choice to stay in the library and read or use those kits or go outside for recess. The Muslim families also got donuts for the whole school and things like this really mean so much for all of the kids!

We noticed that the text has ka’ak being made with a mixer, but it is made by hand in the backmatter. Both Hadeal and Sara have said that their families believe this is an absolute, non-negotiable no-no and that specific hand mixing must be used. Just for fun, are you team hand mixing or team mixer? You can also plead the 5th.
Definitely hand-mixing, but the onomatopoeia for the mixer made more sense 😂. But they could have used the mixer at the beginning and finished off hand mixing – so a little bit of old and new traditions ☺️

Do you have a favorite shape or design for the ka’ak?
I just love the classical ones that my aunt and mom do – with the Egyptian ka’ak tweezers.

We know that animals can be a strong visual device for young readers and Zain’s cat is no exception. Is the cat based on a real cat in your life or just a fun addition to the story?
So I have no pets, and didn’t include a cat in my manuscript, so when I was the cat in the sketches I e-mailed my editor and told her it was a brilliant idea from Rashin! I read my author copy to my daughter’s preschool class, and they had so much fun with the cat. I asked them to name the cat, and then I told them every time they see the cat to raise their hands, so it was very engaging, especially for that age group (3-5).

How do you hope your work can impact the Muslim community? How do you hope your work can impact perceptions of Muslims?
I hope when Muslim kids see this book displayed in libraries, bookstores, classrooms and Target (absolutely dream come true), they will feel empowered and proud of who they are. Also, to continue to be unapologetic Muslims and never ever feel ashamed of who they are. I hope everyone else learns about our diverse cultures and traditions. I also hope my work reaches wide audiences, from children to adults, and hopefully remind them not to stereotype Muslims and know that Muslims are very diverse. I hope my work starts conversations in classrooms and within families about the different topics in my books raging from immigration, to holidays, to book bans.

Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on to young writers?
Write as much as you can and find friends who also like to write. Read each others’ works, ask for feedback and submit your work to contests!

What is something that you would like your readers to know about you?
I love everything about Eid and Ramadan, especially the traditions, food, books, gifts, family and friends. So writing this picture book and seeing it come to life has been an absolute dream and I couldn’t have done it with my amazing agent, Brent Taylor, editor Jessica Anderson who was so excited about this book from day one and continues to show so much passion for it, super talented illustrator Rashin and the whole team at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano. There’s so much behind the scenes people on the team like designers, copy editors, the school and library team, marketing/publicity and I am forever grateful for all of their hard-work.

Can you tell us anything about what you are working on next? Are there other genres or age groups that you would be interested in writing about/for?
I have a few other picture books in the works and hoping to announce one soon because it’s so special. I am also writing a middle grade novel. I have two other picture books coming out this year one is called The Great Banned Books Bake Sale illustrated by Anait Semiridzhyan and the other is My First Book Arabic Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Arabic Language and Culture illustrated by Chaymaa Sobhy.

Images from The Night Before Eid are from the egalley provided to Hijabi Librarians courtesy of Little, Brown/Christina Ottaviano Books.

 

Posted in Author Interviews, Blog Posts, Books

Author Interview: Sana Rafi

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Sana Rafi is the author of Little Seeds of Promise, and the upcoming title A Mermaid Girl. You can find out more about Sana, her projects and her thoughts, on her website by following her on Twitter and Instagram.

Interview Questions were compiled by Noureen Qadir Jafar and Amna Hussain

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer? What inspired you to write for children and how did Little Seeds of Promise come about?

I don’t know if I ever actively decided to be a writer. It was a part of me from a very early age. I remember loving my elementary school English teacher. I remember looking forward to reading comprehension exercises in third grade. And then I started writing for local children’s magazines in Pakistan around age nine or ten.

I was introduced to picture books only after I became a mother so I think my first inspiration was my son. I also think writing for children meshes well with my personality. Little Seeds of Promise came about from my deep desire to write about immigrants and how difficult yet rewarding their journey is.

As a child, you lived in many countries. Is this story influenced by your own experiences or stories of other new immigrants? Is the grandmother figure based on anyone in your life?

Yes, for sure. I don’t think I would’ve been able to write this book had I not experienced what it was like to be an immigrant as a child. Before moving abroad, I shared a house with my grandparents and so I couldn’t write Maya’s story without including a significant person in her life whom she had left behind. That’s the thing with immigrants–they always leave a part of themselves in their homeland and I wanted to emphasize on mourning that loss with some positivity if that makes sense.

Moving to a new country and changing schools is not easy. What helped you adjust to those big changes in your life?

Honestly, change was hard and I wish I had had access to books that could’ve mirrored my immigration experience. The one thing that remained constant in my life during hard times was my writing–I always continued to write and submit my work to publications, participate in contests as a way of distracting myself but also of giving myself something to look forward to. When I was sixteen, I won a national short story contest and that’s when I knew writing was a deep part of my identity. It became my outlet and friend through the big changes.

On your website, you mentioned that you used to write long letters to your penpals. How did you select your penpals? Would you like to share anything about your penpal experience?

It all started because of a children’s magazine I used to read. They always had a section for penpals and I remember being super intrigued by that. Of course, I loved to write so I thought it would be fun and that’s how it all started. One of my good penpal friends was Shazia who resided in the UK. We’re still friends today, decades later despite the fact that we have never met each other in person. It was a very exciting experience–I used to love receiving snail mail!

Can you talk about the process and time in writing this book?

This book took many shapes and forms. I was constantly writing it and revising it for months before I started querying agents. I sent it directly to my publisher, The Innovation Press and I heard back with some interest. But then a few months passed before I received a book deal from them, which I gladly accepted. Then the book went through several edits–we worked very hard in getting the right messaging across and there was quite a bit of back and forth between me and the editors.

Who was your biggest supporter in your journey of writing Little Seeds of Promise? What does your family think of your book?
My friend and fellow children’s book author Rabea Chaudhry was the first person to nudge me into the world of writing picture books so I always think of her as a monumental presence in my writing journey. My family has been so supportive and excited for me!

Which picture book authors do you draw inspiration from?

I love picture books by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Aya Khalil, Reem Faruqi, M.O. Yuksel, Susannah Aziz and many more!

We know that authors and illustrators don’t often get to work directly together. Were you in touch with the illustrator? Did you have a vision for the way you wanted the book to look and how did you feel about the interpretation by Renia Metallinou?

While Renia and I never got to speak directly, we did communicate via our publisher/editor and I do think she did a lovely job with the illustrations. I was able to see them at different stages and offer my opinions. I was grateful that Renia was able to accommodate some of the changes that I requested and in the end I believe she was able to bring together an even more vibrant and beautiful book than I had envisioned.

Do you feel that books featuring Muslims are being created and marketed in a positive way? Are there trends you like or hope will change?

I believe that the publishing industry has ways to go in terms of supporting Muslim books. It’s hard enough to receive a book deal and then to undertake its marketing and make noise about your own book can be burdensome for some of us. I think the publishing industry needs to do more so that our books become more visible. When will our books be part of the mainstream?

How do you hope your work can impact the Muslim community? How do you hope your work can impact perceptions of Muslims?

I hope to empower the Muslim community though my books. I want them to feel proud of Muslim books that feature the holidays they celebrate or include character names that are easy on their tongues, names they have known growing up. Though my work, I’d like to normalize what being a Muslim is like–build awareness, open doors for meaningful conversations and understanding.

What is the best way to support Muslim authors, agents, editors, librarians and those involved in creating Muslim literature? What do you hope the literature world looks like for Muslims in the coming years? In 20 years?

Support for Muslim and other diverse creatives can come in many forms. Please buy our books or request them from your local library! Please leave us reviews with pictures of our books on Amazon, Goodreads etc. Please consider donating our books to causes that support diversity and inclusion. And one of the best ways to support us to gift our books to children that need them so that they can grow up feeling seen and validated.

In 20 years, I hope there are a whole lot of us Muslim artists out there. I hope that instead of just finding a couple picture books with the word ‘mosque’ or ‘halal’ on the cover, we find them abundantly. Just like non-Muslim children know about Christmas from a young age, I hope authors, agents, librarians can do a good job of showcasing Eid and all the love and joy around this special Muslim holiday.

Your next children’s book A MERMAID GIRL is coming out in summer 2022 and is about modest swimwear/burkini, which we have not seen much of before! Would you like to share anything about it and what inspired you to write it?

Years ago, as an adult, I tried to learn how to swim. I vividly remember telling my dad ‘no’ to his offer of getting me enrolled in swimming lessons as a child. I still don’t know how to swim but am hopeful I’ll learn one day (those adult swim lessons didn’t quite work out). But the book came about with me thinking of how uncomfortable I felt wearing a swimsuit as a Muslim girl child living in a Muslim country. I would’ve learned how to swim with a female coach in an all-female pool. Yet, there was something that stopped me, apart from my fear of the water. And that led me to imagine myself growing up in a non-Muslim country and wearing a burkini to the pool. It’s not something I have witnessed yet but I do have friends whose daughters wear modest swimwear. The point is that all of us deserve to experience swimming if we want to and what we wear to the pool or the beach shouldn’t be something that stops us from receiving joy in the water. So, I wrote A MERMAID GIRL in hopes of giving children like myself a little nudge towards courage, bravery and owning their identity.

What is something that you would like your readers to know about you. Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on to young writers?

Writing can become your best friend, in both good times and bad. It can help lift your mood and it can also fuel your creativity. Some days it’s harder to write than others but it’s always worth it so keep on writing!

Posted in Blog Posts, Books, Reviews

Favorite Books of 2021

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

This list represents some of our favorite Children’s and Young Adult books that we read and were published in 2021. As with our previous lists, these choices are based on their thoughtful and nuanced treatment of Muslims and Islam, and the intersections of identity. We are pleased to see the steady growth of books by Muslim authors and with Muslim protagonists being published by mainstream publishers, and considered over 100 titles, children’s, young adult, and adult titles with YA appeal when creating this list. This year, graphic novels are in their age associated categories. A PDF version of our list will be available soon.

Again, we have not included fantasy and sci-fi titles by Muslim authors whose worlds and characters do not reflect explicit Muslim identity in this list. As stated on our release calendar there is power in speculative fiction/fantasy/scifi world building in exploring issues related to the real world and adding to the canon. We are highlighting these works on the calendar and plan to add a future, separate list with many of these excellent and thought-provoking titles.

What were your favorites of 2021?

Picture Books 

Fiction

Amira’s Picture Day. Reem Faruqi, Illus. Fahmida Azim. 2021. 40p. Holiday House, $17.99. (9780823440191). PreS-Gr. 3. Link to review by Ariana.

Beautifully Me. Nabela Noor, illus. by Nabi H. Ali. 2021. 40p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99. 9781534485877. PreS-Gr. 2.

Bangladeshi Muslim Zubi Chowdhury is an absolute sweetheart of a girl – bold, friendly, and full of life. While preparing for her first day of school, Zubi witnesses her family and friends make comments about how they are either ‘fat’ or ‘going on a diet,’ and having her to question why, and ultimately making her feel that she may need to do the same. When Zubi announces her intention to go on a diet too, her family reflects on the effect of their words, and how “we can be mean to ourselves without even realizing it,” resulting in an important conversation about the toxicity of negative self-talk, body acceptance and strength, and acceptance of oneself. Visual and textual references are made to Islamic practice and Bangladeshi culture, with Zubi’s mother wearing a hijab and putting on a sari, Zubi’s bangles, and food like laddoos and parathas mentioned on many of the pages. Zu    bi’s school is a diverse, multiracial community, and one child, wearing a dress, uses they/them pronouns. Backmatter includes a glossary and a photo of the author. This simple story tackles body image, body confidence, and self-acceptance, and can be used as a model to have conversations about body image with young children. Pair this with Laxmi’s Mooch for conversations about body acceptance and a broader representation of South Asian countries and cultures.

Fatima’s Great Outdoors. Ambreen Tariq, illus. by Stevie Lewis. 2021. 40p. Kokila (PYR/PRH), $17.99. (9781984816955). Gr. K-3. Link to reviews/discussion by Ariana, Noureen and Amna.

Halal Hot Dogs. Susannah Aziz, illus. by Parwinder Singh. 2021. 40p. Little Bee Books, $17.99. (9781499811575). Gr 2-4. Link to review by Mahasin.

 

Hannah and the Ramadan Gift. Qasim Rashid, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. 2021. 40p. Viking Books for Young Readers (PRH), $17.99. (9780593114667). PreS-Gr. 2. Link to review by Ariana.

I Went for Hajj. Na’ima B. Robert, illus. by Paula Pang. 2021. 32p. The Islamic Foundation, $11.95. (9780860377528). PreS-Gr. 2. 

This charming book, told in the rhyming style of Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? By Bill Martin, Jr., describes the Hajj journey through the eyes of a young child. While some rhymes are more successful than others, the scheme helps to break down important parts of Hajj as easy to understand actions. The foreword includes an author’s note explaining the use of rhyming text to appeal to children, but emphasizes that it is not prescriptive for the performance of the rituals of Hajj. There are, however, points of discussion to breakdown points and rituals of Hajj to readers. End papers include a glossary of terms. Illustrations feature female and male hajjis/hajjahs (pilgrims) dressed in white, in various skin tones, and some papers include illustrations of pilgrims in wheelchairs. On the spread that features the kaaba, building at the center of the Masjid al-Haram, readers will appreciate the detail of the gold-colored foil used for the kiswah, the black brocade cloth that adorns the building. Illustrations are done in a retro, simple style, but reflect the contemporary backdrop of Makkah.

In My Mosque. M. O. Yuksel. illus. by Hatem Aly. 2021. 40p. Harper (Harpercollins), $17.99. (9780062978707). Pre-S-Gr. 3. Link to review by Noureen.

Little Seeds of Promise. Sana Rafi, illus. by Renia Metallinou. 2021. 48p. The Innovation Press, $15.99. (ISBN‎ 9781943147939). Grades K-3. Link to reviews by Amna and Noureen.

Room for Everyone. Naaz Khan, illus. by Mercè López. 2021. 40p. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon & Schuster). (9781534431393). PreS-Gr. 3. 

This joyous, vibrant counting book follows Musa and his Dada (older sister) as they head to Nungwi beach on the daladala, a minibus common in Tanzania. Along the way they stop for a plethora of passengers and their wares. While Musa complains that there can’t possibly be room for them all, Dada insists that they can make room for everyone. Unlike other counting tales where space capacity might lead to bursting, there is room indeed for everyone as they joyfully and inclusively make space for all with wiggles and giggles galore. And even Musa is convinced—Alhamdulillah—that the whole motley crew will make it to the beach together. The backmatter includes a brief glossary of terms and an author’s note.  Illustrations by Mercè López are rich in color, pattern, and texture, and readers familiar with Unguja (Zanzibar island) may recognize architectural elements of Stone Town including the minaret of the Malindi mosque on the cover. In Betsy Bird’s interview with Naaz Khan, the author discussed her travels in Zanzibar, cultural consultation, and why it was important to have different shades of dark brown skin in representing Zanzibaris, and widening representation of Muslims in children’s literature.  

A Sky-Blue Bench. Bahram Rahman, illus. by Peggy Collins. 2021. 32p. Pajama Press, $18.95. 9781772782226. PreS-Gr. 2. 

After losing her leg in an accident, Aria is finally returning to school, but finds that sitting on the floor all day with her prosthetic “helper-leg” is painful. With all the wooden furniture in the school used as fuel to keep houses warm during the war, Aria comes up with the idea to build a bench with discarded materials. Her classmates doubt she can do it, but Aria is determined to do “anything a boy can do” and barters a loaf of sweet bread with Kaka Najar, a carpenter, for instruction and use of his tools. Kaka Najar gifts her a can of blue paint to use for her project, sky-blue signifying courage, peace, and wisdom. Illustrations are beautifully vibrant and colorful, particularly in the markets of the Old City, and residents are dressed in a variety of styles, skin tones in various shades of brown, and facial expressions. Aria’s actions not only inspire her classmates, she passes on her knowledge, skills, and hope to them and to her brother, knowing that they can “build everything we need together.” End papers show Aria putting on her new red shoes on while the back end papers show Aria and her classmates planning and collecting materials together to improve their classroom. Though there is no specific time period specified in the text of the story, the author’s note indicates that elements of the story reflect his own experiences growing up Afghanistan in the early 90s and the need to use wooden furniture as firewood and teaching children to be able to identify land mines, particularly “butterfly mines” that had a reputation for being attractive to children. A Sky-Blue Bench was a 2022 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book Winner.

Nonfiction 

My Name Is Bana. Bana Alabed, illus. by Nez Riaz. 2021. 40p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $17.99. (9781534412484). PreS-Gr.3.  

Written by Syrian child refugee and activist, Bana Alabed, this book opens with a young Bana asking her mother, depicted wearing a light green hijab, why she gave her the name “Bana.” Her mother tells her that she is named after a tree that grows in Syria and like the tree, Bana’s parents hoped that she would be “qawia,” strong. Following up by asking what it means to be strong, Bana’s mother explains different elements of strength, including the most important, “amal,” hope. One of the spreads, shows Bana on a computer while her mother stands behind her, referring to Bana’s initial use of Twitter to bring increased awareness to the Syrian Civil War and the siege of Aleppo. Bana reflects on how she embodied strength during the war while in Syria, in moving to a new place, and in using her voice to speak up for children’s rights. Illustrations are simple and sensitive in their depiction of war, showing the mother and children turning away from a red-tinged sky with texts addressing bombing. An afterword from the author assures child readers that she is safe now, living in Turkey with her family and concludes that while she’s encouraging children around the world living in war zones to be strong, her message to adults is that “kids shouldn’t have to always be so strong. Every child deserves to live in peace.” 

Early Readers

Yasmin series. (Yasmin the Librarian, Recycler, Singer, Scientist). Saadia Faruqi. Illus. by Hatem Aly. 2021. 32p. Picture Window Books (Capstone), $5.95 (Paperback: 9781515883722, 9781515883746, 9781515883753, 9781515883739). K-Gr.3. Fountas & Pinnell Level K.

The newest additions to the series feature Pakistani American second-grader Yasmin helping in the library, encouraging her classmates to recycle, shyly singing in secret at a wedding party, and coming up with a project for the science fair. Yasmin’s interactions with her multi-generational Pakistani American family are endearing and her everyday adventures recognize child agency and actions. Faruqi’s sprinkling of Urdu words and Aly’s beautiful and bold illustrations convey cultural details and insights into Yasmin’s world. Some titles are available in Spanish and French. 

Sadiq series (Sadiq and the Big Election, Gamers). Siman Nuurali, illus by. Christos Skaltsas. 2021. 64p. Picture Window Books (Capstone), $6.95. (9781663921901, 9781663921918). K-Gr. 3. Fountas & Pinnell Level M.

These followup voliumes about Somali American Muslim third-grader Sadiq continue to show the importance and value in involvement in community service and relationships. Each volume contains information around Somali culture, a glossary of words in Somali as well as terms that pertain to each story, and a reader/educator guide to asking questions about the story and related activities. In Sadiq and the Big Election, a class election for president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary has Sadiq coming up with big ideas to improve things in his school, but what will happen when one of his best friend’s announces that he’s running for the same position? In Sadiq and the Gamers, his gaming club is hosting a competition and trying to find a way to also serve the community. Could their gaming possibly engage the seniors in the local retirement community? Sadiq and his friends come up with ways to solve problems and make their community better than ever.

Middle Grade

Fiction

Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year. Nina Hamza. 2021. 320p. Quill Tree (HarperCollins), $16.99. (9780063024892). Gr 3-7. Link to review by Mahasin.

Amina’s Song. Hena Khan. 2021. 288p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $17.99. (9781534459885). Gr. 3-7. Fountas & Pinnell Level U. Amina’s Song was the 2022 Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature.

In this sequel to the well-received Amina’s Voice (2017), Pakistani-Muslim American Amina has traveled to Pakistan to visit her extended family. She returns home to the U.S. excited to teach her friends about the beauty of the country and its people. A school project promises that opportunity, but Amina finds that her task is more difficult than she anticipated, as she must confront her classmates’ biases. A realistic narrative about identity formation and friendships in middle school.

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin. Nadia Shammas, illus. by Nabi H. Ali. 2021. 128p. Graphix (Scholastic), $12.99. 9781338722581. Gr. 3-7.

This graphic novel iteration of Ms. Marvel, written by Nadia Shammas and ably illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, opens with Kamala Khan firmly established as Ms. Marvel. In fact she is so established as a superhero and next-gen member of the Avengers (alongside Spiderman/Miles Morales, Squirrel Girl/Doreen Green, and mentor Iron Man/Tony Stark), a website moderator, fanfic writer, and babysitter that she finds herself stretched a bit thin, sometimes literally. In keeping her superhero identity and powers a secret from her family, Kamala’s relationship with them is a bit strained, and she appears to be neglecting them, her home life, and her Qur’an classes at the mosque. But even though her best friends white, Bruno and Turkish American, Nakia, know her secret, they also feel that Kamala is ignoring them and clearly needs help managing all her tasks. Everything comes to a head when a robot tries to take over Avengers Tower and Kamala must sort out her issues in order to fix this…and everything else. Though some more dedicated readers may feel like plot points are a little too on the nose (the villain will be obvious to all), this is clearly aimed towards younger readers, and works towards focusing on Ms. Marvel’s relationships and her consistent humor. Easter eggs abound, with a nod to Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and his role in the upcoming Ms. Marvel television series

Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission. Zanib Mian, illus. by Nasaya Mafaridik. 2021. 256p. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (PRH), $13.99. (9780593109274). Gr. 2-5.

Omar’s teacher has been abducted by aliens! Or at least that’s what Omar believes happened. What else could possibly explain why their wonderful Mrs. Hutchinson has suddenly been replaced by the awful Mrs. Crankshaw and why all the teachers won’t explain where she went? Though his best friends Charlie and Daniel don’t quite believe the alien theory, their attempts to find any clues lead nowhere. And with Omar’s family off to Pakistan for a wedding, their rescue plans are stalled. Where in the world could Mrs. Hutchinson be? A great addition to the Planet Omar series, this third volume is equally full of humor and heart and infused with Islamic terms and values.

Unsettled. Reem Faruqi. 2021. 352p. HarperCollins, $16.99 (9780063044708). Gr 4–6. Link to review by Mahasin.

World in Between. Kenan Trebinčević and Susan Shapiro. 2021. 384p. Clarion Books (HMH), $16.99. (9780358440932). Gr. 5-8.

Based on Trebinčević’s own life as a Bosnian refugee, this story details three years of young Kenan’s life,  as an 11-year-old at the start of the Bosnian war and the breakup of the Yugoslav Federation. Though many Bosniaks are fleeing to other parts of Europe, Kenan cannot believe that his best friends would treat him any differently because his family is Muslim, especially when he sees his family as not being particularly religious. His father equally believes that because he is well-liked, respected, and keeps out of politics, that they will not be targeted. When it becomes evident that not only have their former friends turned on them, including Kenan’s teacher, the family also realizes that they may have waited too long to flee. Kenan and his family face food deprivation, threats of violence and death, and constant fear for their lives as they struggle to survive and possibly flee. Somewhat miraculously, they are able to flee to Austria, even with Kenan’s brother and father being taken to a concentration camp at one point where other Muslim men have faced death. Kenan’s uncle Ahmet even remarks at one point that they are the luckiest Bosnian Muslim family having not lost any of their relatives. Through the narrative the reader sees psychological and emotional costs of war as they are betrayed by former friends and neighbors and Kenan is often skeptical of who to trust, if friendship is real or lasting. And even when they make their escape they never feel safe or settled, relocated several times in Austria and then again to the United States where, like many refugees, they are treated at times with compassion but also as unwanted, degraded guests. But despite the trauma and palpable, authentic anger, Kenan learns that there is good and bad amongst all people and that despite all of the loss he is grateful that he and his family can be together. Though the narrative sometimes falters in pacing and some concepts and historical events may need more context for younger readers, it is overall a poignant and important story. Text also alludes to violence and sexual assault, but is never overly explicit, and is well-suited for upper middle grade readers.

​​Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero. Saadia Faruqi. 2021. 368p. Quill Tree (HarperCollins), $16.99. (9780062943255). Gr 3-7. Link to review by Mahasin.

 

 

Nonfiction

Accused: My Story of Injustice (I, Witness, 1). Adama Bah. 2021. 112p. Norton Young Readers (W.W. Norton), $16.95. (9781324016632). Gr. 4-7. 

New Yorker and Guinea American Adama Bah was a typical teenager when the September 11th terrorist attacks were carried out. Soon afterwards, however, her life changed forever when she and her father were falsely accused of terrorism and plans to become suicide bombers. Subsequently separated from her family and detained, she learns that she is not an American citizen, her father is deported, and she must work to support her large family in the U.S. and in Guinea. This well-paced narrative offers an informative and terrifying look at what it was like for many Muslims in the days and years following 9/11 and offers much needed representation about Muslims of African heritage.

Young Adult     

Fiction

The Awakening of Malcolm X. Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson. 2021. 336p. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), $17.99. (9780374313296). Gr. 7-12. Link to review by Nada.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating. Adiba Jaigirdar. 2021. 352p. Page Street Kids, $17.99. (9781645672579). Gr. 9-12.

Bangladeshi Irish and Muslim Hani, has just come out to her two best friends Aisling and Dee as being bisexual, but they don’t believe that she can know for certain since she has never even kissed a girl. Bengali and Indian Irish (as well as atheist and closeted) Ishu is studious and serious, always wanting to please her parents, who only have eyes for their golden child, Ishu’s older sister Nik. But Nik has recently fallen from grace, having left university to get married, and Ishu’s parents are more on her than ever to succeed. When Hani proposes to Ishu that they should fake date Ishu, who normally would hate being pigeonholed into being THE two queer brown girls dating, agrees since Hani’s popularity could help Ishu become Head Girl and convince her parents that Ishu is not like her sister. Jaigirdar navigates the fake dating trope with aplomb, bringing in multitudes of layers of identity, racism, homophobia and bierasure, with a delightful amount of romance and angst. Hani is out to her parents who are accepting of her sexuality. Hani also attends mosque, prays, reads Qur’an and does not drink alcohol, and faces disdain and confusion from her friends who signal that she doesn’t seem like “one of those” Muslims (since she does not wear hijab) and further solidifies their continuous aggressions against her sexual identity.

Home Is Not a Country. Safia Elhillo. 2021. 224p. Make Me a World (PRH/RHCB), $17.99. (9780593177051). Gr. 8-12. Link to review by Nada. Home is Not a Country was a 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honor Winner.

Huda F Are You? Huda Fahmy. 2021. 192p. Dial Books (PRH), $14.99. (9780593324318). Gr. 7-17.

Huda Fahmy’s fictionalized graphic memoir follows a high school-aged Huda who has moved with her family from a place where she was the only hijabi in her class to Dearborn, Michigan with a significantly higher Muslim and Arab population. Huda struggles to find her place in the high school hierarchy and realizes that not only has she made hijab her personality (harder to do when surrounded by other hijabis and cliques of hijabis), but that she has made herself small in order to be pleasing to others. Her humor, while witty, is often self-deprecating and her internalized self-loathing causes further harm to herself and the ones that she loves. Fahmy made the deliberate choice to place her high school story in the present day with references to contemporary social media tools, but adult readers will see familiar references to discrimination and targeting of the Muslim communities in the immediate years following 9/11. Fahmy’s humorous, laugh-out-loud work continues to entertain, educate, and resonate with all readers and is also an important work of self-reflection for Muslim readers.

Listen, Layla. Yassmin Abdel-Magied. 2021. 288p. Penguin Australia, $15.99. (9781760896065). Gr 7 and up. Link to review by Mahasin.

Misfit in Love. S.K. Ali. 2021. 320p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $19.99. (9781534442757). Grades 9-12. Link to Review by Nada.

Perfectly Parvin. Olivia Abtahi. 2021. 320p. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (PRH), $17.99. (9780593109427). Gr. 7-12. 

Fun-loving prankster Parvin Mohammadi is elated to start high school with her new boyfriend, Wesley, only to have him dump her at freshman orientation for being “loud” and “too much.” Wallowing in romance movies, Parvin comes to the (false) realization that demure girls get the guy and plans to show up Wesley by getting bisexual sophomore Matty Fumero to be her Homecoming date. Parvin’s attempt to 180 her personality and style has best friends pansexual, Korean American Ruth and gay, Mexican American Fabian doubtful and disapproving. Parvin’s aunt Sara, who is viewing it all via Skype from Iran while waiting on her U.S. visa to arrive, also urges Parvin to be herself. Compounding this self-doubt is Parvin’s internalized identity struggle and how much this affects her perception of beauty and romance. Despite their obvious affection, she is not able to glean much from her Iranian Shi’a father, does not look much like her white Episcopalian mother or any of the beautiful women in the media, nor does she feel Iranian enough to fit in with the other Iranians Americans, even as it becomes obvious that one of her classmates from Farsi school may want to be more than friends. But when her schemes and internalization lead her to ditch her friends when they need her most and her aunt Sara’s plan to visit is threatened by the Muslim ban, Parvin must decide what is most important to her and what kind of person she truly is. Even in her most self-deprecating moments, Parvin is funny, witty, and lovable. And while some elements of representation might give readers pause, it is all in the cause of learning acceptance. A truly enjoyable read.

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab. Priya Huq. 2021. 224p. Abrams, $22.99. (9781419740169). Gr. 7 and up. Link to Review by Mahasin.

 

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin's Hijab (Ebook) | ABRAMSThis review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab
by Priya Huq
Abrams. Nov. 2021. 224p. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781419740169.

Gr 7 Up—In Portland, OR, in 2002, eighth grader Nisrin Moniruzzaman is proud to share her Bangladeshi heritage and cultural dress with her school community during a celebration of world cultures. But on her way home from school with a friend who is Black and Iranian, the girls suffer a violent racist attack, and Nisrin’s orna, a shawl-like scarf, is ripped from her head. In the following months, both girls struggle to heal. After visiting the home of a young cousin who wears a hijab, Nisrin decides to start wearing the headscarf as she begins high school. Her choice challenges her mother and her maternal grandparents, with whom she lives, and makes her a target for Islamophobia at school; it also serves as a catalyst for her to learn more about Islam and her family’s feelings about the religion, their experiences in Bangladesh, and the country’s tumultuous history, including Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan (although readers will need to look elsewhere for a nuanced account of conflict in the region). Vivid illustrations capture the characters’ raw feelings and move the narrative along quickly, making it feel slightly rushed at times. “A Guide to Bangladesh” written from the perspective of Nisrin at the end of the novel includes a map of the region and provides additional insight about the country, its people, and the author’s family.

VERDICT A solid addition to collections of all types and a welcome exploration of what it means to navigate the complexities of Muslim identity in the United States.

Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland Public Library, CA

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Little Seeds of Promise by Sana Rafi

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

In preparation for an author interview with Sana Rafi, both Noureen and Amna read and reviewed Little Seeds of Promise. The following are their takes on this lovely picture book.

Review: Little Seeds of Promise

Rafi, Sana. Little Seeds of Promise. Illus. by Renia Metallinou. 2021. 48p. The Innovation Press, $15.99. (ISBN‎ 9781943147939). Grades K-3.

Amna’s Review

In this memorable and beautifully illustrated title by Sana Rafi, we see how Maya, the main character adjusts to life as an immigrant. The transition to a new country and the challenges of meeting people, is illustrated by her constant awareness that she is now ‘here,’ as opposed to ‘there,’ where she had a strong sense of security. She misses her grandmother, Nani, and the feeling of being connected, loved and safe. Her Nani gives her seeds before she leaves, and tells her to “bloom where you are planted,” which is something very unusual to Maya, who feels that her new ground in ‘here’ is as cold and unfriendly as the people in her school.

Although never specifically stated, she seems to be Muslim as there are mentions of the call to prayer, the Adhaan, the greeting of Salaam, and praying in the flowers. She also seems to have moved to a multiracial and multiethnic country as seen in the diversity of the other children in her class that have different shades of hair and skin.

The illustrations are especially stunning and the colour palette of blues and pinks rotating between each page really help to tie all the elements of the story together. The contrast between the two countries is even more evident in the vibrant colours shown in Maya’s home country as opposed to the greys and blacks in Maya’s new home. Even Maya’s wardrobe, once so colourful, is now just a sea of gray and blue. We relate even more with Maya as she fondly remembers her grandmother’s wise words of letting herself stretch, grow, and accept some kindness. The message, of learning to accept oneself and accepting others, is an important one and is well explained in this story. It may work best for ages 4-8, as a shared story or even as a read-aloud.

Noureen’s Review

New immigrant Maya, struggles to adapt to a new place and make new friends at school in this sweet intergenerational and universally relatable story. Simple, yet powerful text, and beautiful illustrations have readers empathize with Maya’s sadness from the very first page. The world around her feels cold, unfriendly, and lonely. At the heart of the story is the bond between Maya and her Nani (maternal grandmother). When Maya left her country of origin, her grandma gave her special seeds, and advice to “bloom where you are planted.” The seeds are analogous for new life, growth, and embracing change. Ultimately, they remind Maya that with warmth, care, and patience, new life will sprout even from hard and stubborn soil. The memories of her Nani helps her stay patient and let go of what is holding her back from blooming in her own way. 

The seed analogy is possibly an overreach for very young readers (the targeted age is listed as 3-7) and may be better understood conceptually with elementary students or require an adult to more fully explain how successfully planting seeds in hard soil is analogous to coming out one’s comfort zone and opening up to new experiences.

The book is rich with cultural and religious references, such as waking up to the adhan (call to prayer), people greeting each other by saying “As-salaam-Alaikum,” praying among flowers, playing in the monsoon rain, and the inclusion of a night watchman.

This reference brought back fond memories from my own childhood, when the night watchman on our street would call out with an assuring voice, “Jagtaay Raho” (stay alert), and we could sleep peacefully knowing he would stand sentry through the night. These cultural references offer the opportunity for readers, particularly South Asian readers of the current generation, to learn and connect with parents and grandparents about these cultural references, some evergreen and others, like night watchmen that are relics of the past. 

Another tie, both universal and culturally specific, are the memories of grandparents. Maya’s sweet Nani, with “a thousand wrinkles on her face” always smells like jasmine flowers. The jasmine is the national flower of Pakistan, and many households have a jasmine plant. Often worn as an adornment by married women in older generations and special occasions, like weddings, it so naturally fits in with the depiction of Maya’s grandmother and the nostalgia of the story’s setting.

The illustrations are intricate and detailed, further enriching the story, and patterns on the clothing, colors, and jewelry are a beautiful representation of elements commonly seen across South Asia. Additionally, the depiction of Maya without hijab is refreshing. Despite hijab being a religious marker that is most associated with adult women and Muslim girls that are post-pubescent, it is often shown in children’s literature on pre-pubescent girls as a way to emphasize the ethnicity, religion, or develop the story line when it is not always in a religious setting or age appropriate.

Verdict: Filled with hope and tenderness, this book will resonate with immigrant children and children facing transitions of any kind, and create opportunities for connection and empathy. It gently encourages and ensures readers that adjustments and acclimation to new environments comes with time, patience, and loving support.   

Posted in Book Discussions, Books, Reviews

Review and Book Discussion: Fatima’s Great Outdoors

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

Fatima’s Great Outdoors, a picture book about an Indian American Muslim family’s experience camping, was published on March 30, 2021. It’s proven to be a wonderful book for sparking discussions about a host of topics, including the range of representation in immigrant experiences in children’s literature, especially as it relates to the South Asian community.      

We have also had conversations amongst ourselves about the content and deliberate framing of the book, especially in light of the NPR interview with author Ambreen Tariq, and the points she brings up about outdoor spaces and of national parks and Native land (read this perspective about national parks and native land from the Atlantic) and the historical violence against Black people in the woods. 

What follows are three perspectives on the book from Hijabi Librarian contributors:

  • Ariana’s starred review for School Library Journal,
  • Noureen’s review (below) that includes concerns that she has as a Pakistani American immigrant,
  • as well as observations from Amna, who is a Pakistani Canadian immigrant.

Noureen’s review:

Tariq, Ambreen. Fatima’s Great Outdoors. Illus. by Steve Lewis. 2021. 40p. Penguin Young Readers Group $17.99 (ISBN 9781984816955) Grades K-3

Fatima Khazi, an eight-year-old immigrant from India, is excited for her first ever camping trip with her family. After a rough week at school, this is the perfect getaway. Packed into the car, snacking on savory Indian treats, and singing along to old Bollywood songs by Rafi, a popular singer in India, the family makes their way to the campsite. The resourcefulness and ingenuity of her mother solves problems with a frightening spider, a stubborn tent, and a campfire that won’t catch. Fatima and her hardworking parents want to enjoy this “great American pastime” and eat Halal bacon along with their traditional Indian meal of shami kababs, roti, and anda. 

There is a certain unease in the story and sadness to Fatima’s character that is hard to ignore through the book. Fatima feels a sense of displacement and misses her life in India. There are no fellow immigrants or people of color that she can relate to at school or in the park. Fatima is clearly struggling with a lot of anxiety and worry. She misses her parents that work long hours and feels overshadowed by her sister, who seems to be adjusting more easily socially and academically at school, while Fatima is bullied at school for her thick accent, her appearance, and lunch.

The introduction of South Asian immigrant lifestyle is a bit cliche, and includes living in a one room house, working two jobs, not using paper products, eating home-cooked meals, and being resourceful. The Khazis’ life in India is portrayed through stereotypical struggles of Fatima’s mother in a small village with a woodburning stove, dealing with lizards and scorpions, while her father’s ineptness outdoors is due to his upbringing in  the city. 

The family’s past life is creatively mirrored on a two page spread and gives the readers a chance to take a closer look at the day-to-day Indian family’s lifestyle in the clothing, household items and setting. 

South Asian readers will relate to cultural touches and vocabulary in the book. However, there is no glossary to help other readers understand these unfamiliar words like nani (maternal grandmother), Apa (older sister), shabash (word of encouragement), roti (bread), shami kebabs (beef patties), samosas (fried pastry), aanda (fried egg), ghee (clarified butter), and Rafi, a famous singer from India. 

Lewis’s choice of  color palette and use of light at different times of the day is exquisite and intricate. Resulting in the backdrop of the great outdoors that feels like a dreamy and enchanted woodland. 

It is an endearing book for young readers, though its tropes and cliches were a bit excessive for a South Asian immigrant like myself. Even so, I feel that the book is a nice introduction to the immigrant experience. Venturing into camping is clearly a step into the unknown, just like immigrating to a brand new country is a huge step in itself. The reader roots for this little girl and her family’s resourcefulness. 

Focusing on Fatima’s family and her mostly white classmates at the beginning of the book, there is not much racial diversity depicted with the exception of a multiracial group holding a “Brown People Camping” banner (the author founded the movement) at the end of the book.  

The story makes many people of color feel welcome in the outdoors. The close-knitted family structure and the quality of art combines for a riveting read. People of all ages will enjoy this story as they remember memories of the trips they have taken with their families. 

Thank you to Kokila for providing digital access to this book. Fatima’s Great Outdoors was published March 30,2021.

Amna’s thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this story. I could relate to Fatima a lot, even though in my family, I am the aapa (or big sister). I appreciated the references to Bollywood songs, foods like shami kabab, anda (egg) and roti. I think that non-Urdu speakers may not understand all cultural and food references, especially since anda is not depicted, and a glossary is not included. This was not a problem for me as a reader, but I wanted to mention it. Another important detail enjoyed seeing was that the author was intentional in depicting the family getting meat from the halal butcher – I’ve never seen that mentioned in a picture book before! 

Fatima’s mother was shown as a very practical and fearless woman and it was explained why her dad was so out of his element in the outdoors. I appreciated that her dad was not afraid to use the stove to make breakfast. 

Overall, the family’s excitement in being together and trying something new, coupled with the lovely illustrations, is well conveyed and heartfelt. The illustrations really give the reader the opportunity to get to know the family more deeply, especially in the scenes and use of color palette that contrasts the family’s life in India with their life in the United States. 

I appreciated the framing of Fatima and her sister’s school life, adjusting to new situations as new immigrants without first mentioning they were immigrants, as most of the incidents Fatima went through could easily happen to other children. Fatima’s experiences were very relatable, however, I appreciated the juxtaposition of her sister’s easy academic adaptation, challenging the idea that people have to have the same immigrant experiences, and that this experience can vary even amongst family members. 

Here in Canada, we have a program called Learn to Camp which is offered by Parks Canada. Learn to Camp presents at libraries and other organizations to instruct potential campers on how to plan, organize, and do everything related to camping. The last illustration shows campers holding a Brown People Camping banner and reminds me of the last session I hosted at my library in 2019, where the speaker emphasized the idea of camping for everyone, and being inclusive of campers of many different ethnic backgrounds. 

Readers Weigh-in

What did you think about this story and the intentionality behind it? Did you connect with any of the characters’ experiences?