Zain’s Super Friday
by Hena Khan; illustrated by Nez Riaz
Lee & Low
Join Zain and his dad on a special visit to their local mosque to attend jumu’ah prayers in this heartwarming picture book from the author of Under My Hijab.
Early Friday morning, Zain leaps out of bed ready to save the world from alien invaders! But his dad has other plans for Zain on this special day of the week. Dad takes Zain to the mosque and guides him through his first jumu’ah prayers. But Zain’s quest for a superhero adventure leads to supersize distractions. Can Zain rein in his powerful impulses and appreciate this special experience with his dad and community?
With spirited text by award-winning author Hena Khan and dynamic illustrations by artist Nez Riaz, Zain’s Super Friday is a celebration of Muslim traditions, imagination, and the joy of community.
Cover image and summary via Lee & Low
Henna Is…
by Marzieh Abbas; illustrated by Anu Chouhan
Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan
A picture book that serves young readers as a lyrical love letter to henna, written by Middle East Book Award winner Marzieh Abbas and brilliantly illustrated by Anu Chouhan.
Henna is so much more than a form of temporary body art.
Henna is nature—seeds sprouted into shrubs, leaves kissed by tropical rain.
Henna is color—the orange of juicy mangoes, sun-kissed brown, or black as the feathers of crows.
Henna is fragrance—earthy and nutty, lemony and clove-y.
The intricate patterns of flowers, feathers, vines, and other symbols painted and stained onto skin has been a tradition in cultures all around the world for thousands of years. Beautiful and eye-catching, henna also carries the scents, textures, and colors of family and identity.
Cover image and summary via Macmillan
The Blessed Pomegranates: A Ramadan Story About Giving
by A. Helwa, Dasril, Illustrated by Iqbal Al Faruqi
Sunbeam/Baker & Taylor Publisher Services 
The leaves whisper it. The birds sing it. It is Ramadan, the holy season of giving! But Adam and Alyha can’t help wondering: what is the real meaning of Ramadan? Fortunately, wise Grandma Essi knows just what to do. With ruby pomegranates picked from Grandma Essi’s magnificent tree, the two grandchildren set off to visit their friends and neighbors, share their blessings, and discover, as Grandma Essi no doubt intended all along, to feel the spirit of the holiest month of the year. Written by internationally bestselling author of Secrets of Divine Love, A. Helwa, and illustrated by Dasril Iqbal Al Faruqi, The Blessed Pomegranates is a timeless story to teach kids gratitude, generosity, and the real meaning behind Ramadan.
A Child Like You
by Na’ima Robert, Illustrated by Nadine Kaadan
Interlink Publishing Group Inc/Simon & Schuster 
An empowering picture book that encourages children to feel that they can have a positive impact on the future in a troubled world, inspired by real-life activists and campaigners.
“Somewhere, out there, in the wide, wide world, a child like you is watching …”
Four brave children watch, listen, search, and feel, as they experience the inequalities, dangers, and injustices of life in our world.
Inspired by real-life activists and campaigners Greta Thunberg, Yusra Mardini, Marley Dias, and Iqbal Masih, each of these children are filled with courage, determination and hope.
They will campaign to help save the planet, show that refugees can contribute, and show leadership in sport in their new land, they will build a library of 1,000 books depicting black girls, they will speak out against the outrage of child slavery.
A Dupatta Is . . .
by Marzieh Abbas, illustrated by Anu Chouhan
Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan 
A lyrical and charming picture book celebrating the dupatta, a traditional shawl worn in South Asian cultures.
A dupatta is so much more than a beautiful piece of fabric.
A dupatta is sound—swooshing and swashing like a superhero cape.
A dupatta is scent—cinnamon and cardamom, crushed coriander and peppermint oil.
A dupatta is fun—playing peekaboo and building cushion forts with dupatta canopies.
Written by Marzieh Abbas and vividly brought to life by the artwork of Anu Chouhan, this is a loving and lyrical ode to the dupatta. These shawls—traditionally worn by women in various cultures of South Asia—are beautiful and colorful of course, but they’re also fun, functional, and carry the sounds and smells of family and identity.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Babajoon’s Treasure
by Farnaz Esnaashari, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
From the creator of Nickelodeon’s hit series Shimmer and Shine comes a sweet and imaginative picture book about a little girl who spends the day with her grandfather and learns more about who he is.
Every summer, Miriam spends a week at her Babajoon and Mamanjoon’s house. It’s her favorite part of summer because every day with her grandparents is an adventure. But when coins fall out of Babajoon’s pocket as he’s getting ice cream, Miriam finds one coin that doesn’t look like the rest—a gold one unlike Miriam has ever seen before.
Suddenly, she starts to notice certain things about her Babajoon. He can talk to parrots. He speaks with codewords. He trades crystal treasures with his friends. Could her Babajoon be…a pirate?
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar
by Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani
illustrated by Maya Fidawi
Dial Books/Penguin Random House 
It’s market day for Samira and her grandma! The bazaar is crowded, but this sweet pair knows how to stick together in this silly picture book set in Iran.
Mama Shamsi is off to the market, and today, Samira gets to go with her! Samira loves spending time with her grandmother, and she especially loves her chador, which Mama Shamsi wraps around herself every time they leave the house. As the pair get closer and closer to the market, Samira is worried about getting lost in the crowded streets of Tehran, until she has an idea: She can hide under her grandmother’s chador. But when Mama Shamsi says no—if Samira hides under there, the pair of them will look like a strange animal! In imaginary spreads, Samira and Mama Shamsi turn into a donkey, a giraffe, a kangaroo, a turtle—hiding isn’t working at all. But maybe there’s some other way for Samira to stay safe with her grandma in the crowded market.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education
by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi
HarperCollins 
Perfect for fans of Malala’s Magic Pencil and She Persisted! From the author of Lailah’s Lunchbox comes a powerful picture book biography about Maryam Faruqi, the founder of the Happy Home Schools, which provided education to thousands of girls across India and Pakistan at a time when girls weren’t encouraged to go to school. Maryam was a trailblazer for women’s education and the author is her granddaughter, creating a personal, inspiring tale.
Enough is enough!
Milloo lives in a time when school is considered unnecessary for girls. But to Milloo, education is not a choice; it is essential. When Milloo reads, her thoughts dance and her mind breathes. Milloo courageously dreams of becoming a teacher, but in fifth grade her parents tell her she has had enough school. Milloo is heartbroken but finds a way to achieve her educational goals, graduating high school and college with honors. When she’s married, Milloo’s husband tells her to stay home, but she does not let that stop her. She decides to open a school in her house and later expands her schools to India and Pakistan, fulfilling her dreams and those of so many young girls.
Reem Faruqi, author of Lailah’s Lunchbox and Unsettled, has written a stirring picture book biography about Maryam Faruqi, the founder of the Happy Home Schools, and Reem’s grandmother. Maryam was a true trailblazer for women’s education.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library
Aliya’s Secret