In My Mosque
Yuksel, M. O. In My Mosque. Illus. by Hatem Aly. 2021. 40p. Harpercollins/Harper, $17.99 (9780062978707). Pre-S-Gr 3.
What is a mosque? What does it looks like inside and what do people do there? This beautiful book transports readers on a magical journey inside famous mosques around the world, various Islamic practices, diverse communities, and cultural elements they encompass. Evoking feelings of immense joy and peace, this book is an open and warm invitation to readers and the world to come in and explore this important space and the religion that is practiced by 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.
Gorgeous endpapers feature birds, patterned in colorful geometric-shapes set against a black background. Each spread pairs elements of Islamic practice and worship in famous mosques. Colors are vibrant and celebratory of everyday scenes captured from the joyful perspective of Muslim children. Paired with simple lyrical text that describes the people, practices, activities, and surro
undings the way a child would notice them. For instance, before entering the mosque worshippers first remove their shoes, which are described is being lined up “like colorful beads” while the opposite page describes the sensation of wiggling and sinking his toes into “the silky-soft carpet.”, Children share other observations and sensations, and readers are immersed into their feelings of gentle comfort in listening to the recitations and the clicking sound of tasbih (prayer beads), the cooing of pigeons outside the mosque, the warm hugs of loving family members, and the smells of delicious food.
Children are depicted in poses of relaxation, glancing out the window, distracted in prayers, shushing each other when they are not supposed to be talking, and running and playing in the spaces. Adults are shown as gentle and patient, and the mosque is presented as a place where children learn religious culture and heritage and grow up feeling safe and loved by their community.
Children are also active participants in their community, showing small acts of kindness, such as helping elderly or disabled 
worshippers, or passing out prayer beads, mats, and collecting and distributing food. One child is also seen in active prayer, finishing salat by saying “peace and blessings be upon you/As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” (in Arabic). The text in this particular spread reads, “In my mosque we end our prayers by greeting the angels on our shoulders who watch over us day and night. My angels cheer me on as I whisper heartfelt wishes and hope they all come true.” Though the wording of duas solely as wishes does not quite encompass the entirety of the meaning, framed in the context of a child’s understanding, it is sufficient.
Readers see that the mosque is not only a place of worship, but a place of community and one where the community also builds itself and contributes to larger community needs. Commonality with other faiths is also emphasized. It is a gathering place for people to find each other, refresh their faith and listen to uplifting sermons, “in my mosque, we pray for peace, love, and joy…just like my friends who worship in churches, temples, and synagogues.”
The illustrations are diverse with worshippers reflecting different countries and set against the backdrop of architecture and geometric mosaic patterns specific to each region. Arabic style calligraphy is incorporated throughout the book. The book mentioned that Aly’s breathtaking illustrations were created by using digital rendering and scans of ink washes, textures, and patterns
While the book’s backmatter includes a note about mosques, a glossary, and author’s note, and a selection of mosques around the world, it does not specify which mosque is which in the book itself, though readers with background knowledge will be able to identify many of them. However, this information is available on the author’s website and includes an annotation with other information about each specific mosque (including the Diyanet Center in Lanham, Maryland), and also includes discussion questions and activitie
s for families and educators.
An awe-inspiring book that shows parallels between different religious places of worship, and highlights both universality of faiths and uniqueness of Islam and its places of worship.
Review: Malala Yousafzai (Little People, Big Dreams)
Malala’s shooting is worded simply, honestly, and not glossed over for young readers. Adults may choose to guide discussions on gun violence and the suppression of women, civil rights, and certain activities banned by the Taliban. As Malala meets people from across the globe, these characters are represented in one spread by differences in skin tone and clothing to show a diversity in race and culture. One character has a bindi, one is wearing a kente-like print shirt and kufi, one is wearing athawb/kandura/dishdasha, and a ghutra head covering.
Illustrations seem to be taken from actual media photographs of Malala and her family, but do not always match the text. In one spread text reads that Malala is shot and badly injured and wakes up in the hospital, but the illustrations choose to show a later time without any signs of injury.
One inaccuracy occurs in the spread showing a classroom, where the blackboard has a sentence written in Urdu (one of the languages spoken in Pakistan). The English translation reads “stop [being] scared of the people” but the Urdu word for “scared” is spelled incorrectly. Still, this inclusion, albeit with spelling errors, is an opportunity to teach that language script is multidirectional, with Urdu and 
Williams, Abbey. An ABC of Families Book. Illus. by Paulina Morgan. 2021. 52p. Quarto/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, $15.
Bright cartoonish illustrations complement the words and match beautifully with diversity depicted in the text. Each letter provides an opportunity for extension into discussion or projects in families or with students. My favorite letter was X for XOXO. The book explains that hugs and kisses are a way to show affection for family members, but also expresses that it is okay to say no to physical contact, which creates an inclusive environment for children with sensory issues or different boundaries. It also teaches the concept of consent. The clear intent of this book is for children from all backgrounds to be able to explore the book repeatedly, relating the text and illustrations to their own families and the community around them, creating awareness and acceptance at an early age. Conceptually some terms like lineage may be too developmentally abstract for very young children, and it may be best used with children 4+. 
Curiously, for a book with so much inclusion that recognizes the make-up of a multitude of families, there are some illustrations that are concerning. Firstly, all East Asian characters, though differing in hair color and skin tone are depicted with 
Other readers’ reviews mention disappointment about language choice in the spread for adoption that uses the word “given” as a concept that should not be used for adoption, as well as siblings being binary – brothers or sisters, as opposed being unspecified to include non-binary people. Hopefully these pitfalls will be addressed and corrected in the final publication or a future edition, as it inculcates acceptance for all types of families at an early age.