An engaging, much-needed tale to aid Muslim parents in sharing their faith with their kids.
This latest installment of an Islamic picture-book series examines the marvelous creations of Allah in the globe’s many wonders.
Every night, Hakima and Hadi look forward to hearing stories from Mama and Baba. Baba teaches them the Arabic phrase “Laa Ilaaha Illallaah,” which “means there is no god except Allah.” Hakima and Hadi are invited to study this religious tenet by exploring, through their parents’ tales, the lush rainforest, the vast ocean, the deep reaches of outer space, and the expansive desert. Mama and Baba point out all the things that make each setting unique: the trees, the stars and planets, the cacti and camels, and so forth. They are reminded that all of the beauty around them is a gift from Allah, the one and only creator of the universe, through repeated use of the phrase “Laa Ilaaha Illallaah.” These imaginative adventures are skillfully described by Abidi (Tales of the Last Messenger, 2019, etc.) in rhyming verse and coupled with bright, cheerful, uncredited digital illustrations depicting a loving, involved nuclear family of color in setting-appropriate costumes (such as safari hats or space suits). This is an excellent primer for children in English-speaking homes whose parents are hoping to familiarize them with the teachings of Islam in a way that is simple, joyful, and fun. The repetition of the key Arabic phrase helps to instill the story’s central concept in the minds of young readers.
An engaging, much-needed tale to aid Muslim parents in sharing their faith with their kids.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1-68312-126-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: Kisa Kids Publications
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves
A young child explores the unlimited potential inherent in all humans.
“Have you ever wondered why you are here?” asks the second-person narration. There is no one like you. Maybe you’re here to make a difference with your uniqueness; maybe you will speak for those who can’t or use your gifts to shine a light into the darkness. The no-frills, unrhymed narrative encourages readers to follow their hearts and tap into their limitless potential to be anything and do anything. The precisely inked and colored artwork plays with perspective from the first double-page spread, in which the child contemplates a mountain (or maybe an iceberg) in their hands. Later, they stand on a ladder to place white spots on tall, red mushrooms. The oversized flora and fauna seem to symbolize the presumptively insurmountable, reinforcing the book’s message that anything is possible. This quiet read, with its sophisticated central question, encourages children to reach for their untapped potential while reminding them it won’t be easy—they will make messes and mistakes—but the magic within can help overcome falls and failures. It’s unlikely that members of the intended audience have begun to wonder about their life’s purpose, but this life-affirming mood piece has honorable intentions. The child, accompanied by an adorable piglet and sporting overalls and a bird-beaked cap made of leaves, presents white.
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves . (Picture book. 2-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-946873-75-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
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