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WHAT YOU WILL SEE INSIDE A MOSQUE

Name: WHAT YOU WILL SEE INSIDE A MOSQUE
Author: Aisha Karen Khan
ISBN: 1-893361-60-8

by Aisha Karen Khan & photographed by Aaron Pepis ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2003

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As a woman who has embraced Islam, Khan is eager to share her religion with North American children. With its handsome layout, consisting of two-page spreads with one large, clear photograph occupying one page and text and smaller photographs with detailed captions on the other, this introduction to the holy buildings used by the Islamic faithful offers enough detail to provide both an accurate picture of the characteristics of a contemporary mosque in the US and some insight into the Islamic religion itself. Using photos taken in two suburban mosques in New York, Khan describes the different areas of the buildings, including the ritual washing area, the prayer hall, the school rooms, the reading room or library, and the minaret or tower. She discusses some practices in the Middle East, South Asia, and other parts of the Muslim world, but also speaks about specific North American adaptations, such as having to go back to work on Friday after midday prayer. Succinct, but informative, this can be used by schools, families, and religious education groups to encourage some sorely needed tolerance in this time of international strife. (Nonfiction. 6-10)

Pub Date: July 1, 2003

ISBN: 1-893361-60-8

Page Count: 40

Publisher: SkyLight Paths

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGION

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THE STORY OF EASTER

by Aileen Fisher & illustrated by Stefano Vitale ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 1997

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First published in 1968 and newly illustrated by Vitale, this is a history of the Christian celebration of Easter that, after briefly recounting the story of the Resurrection, links the holiday to other spring festivals, covers the ancient custom of giving the gift of an egg (a symbol of the new life of spring), and includes contemporary customs, such as the fashionable stroll down New York City's Fifth Avenue after church on that day. Also included are instructions for egg decoration and a recipe for hot cross buns. Even the recipe demonstrates the clear, informative prose of Fisher, whose expert organization leads from topic to topic. Vitale's illustrations are a marvel; each full-page picture is filled with details that reflect the times, the flora, and the culture of the era shown, colored with a range of appropriate earth tones. Every element of design makes this an inviting addition to the holiday shelf, even for those already owning the original book with Ati Forberg's illustrations. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-10)

Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1997

ISBN: 0-06-027296-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HISTORY | CHILDREN'S RELIGION

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by Aileen Fisher & illustrated by Sarah Fox-Davies

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KNOW WHAT I SAW?
by Aileen Fisher & illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix

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THE STORY GOES ON
by Aileen Fisher & illustrated by Mique Moriuchi

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FINDING PROVIDENCE

THE STORY OF ROGER WILLIAMS

by Avi & illustrated by James Watling ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 1997

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Avi's first entry in the I Can Read chapter-book series tells the true story of Roger Williams's 1635 flight from arrest for "preaching dangerous new ideas." He heads into the wilds of colonial New England, eventually sending for his family to join him in founding a new settlement where religious freedom is allowed, which his daughter, the narrator, names Providence. The story covers only his decision to flee and the highlights of his subsequent journey, an odd time frame that leaves out the events leading up to Williams's trial, his life with the Indians, the rigors of founding a new settlement, or even much detail about the Puritan intolerance from which he fled. During the trial, only the gasps of spectators indicate the contrast between their views and his, the latter of which will seem right and just to contemporary readers, and therefore unfathomable as the basis for prosecution. The illustrations are soft and pale, lacking drama; many of the characters share the same expression, looking as if they are whistling. A complement to other sources on Williams's life—this is neither interesting enough for general readers, nor specific enough for those not already grounded in the facts. (Fiction. 7-9)