A well-constructed, beautifully illustrated set of Islamic children’s tales.
Abidi (Hakima and Hadi Remember Imam Husain, 2019, etc.) shares traditional tales from the life and teachings of Muhammad in this debut collection of Islamic stories for children.
In these 67 tales, Abidi uses events from Muhammad’s life to teach simple lessons about God, morality, and how to deal with life’s adversities. Over the course of the stories, a thirsty kitten, searching for water in the streets of Medina, Saudi Arabia, is allowed to drink from the Prophet Muhammad’s wudhu bowl; an old woman, who makes her living spinning wool at her wheel, offers the prophet a lesson in the proof of God’s existence; and a nomad challenges Muhammad to a camel race—and beats his undefeated racing camel. In “The Curious Little Girl,” the author details how a small girl named Umm Khalid, while visiting Muhammad’s house, noticed a birthmark on the prophet’s back and went to touch it. The fact that the prophet allowed this is highlighted as proof of his kindness and respect for women and girls. Each story concludes with a “Read to Succeed!” section, which explains the tale’s meaning. Abidi uses simple, accessible language that’s suitable for adults to read to children, or for kids to read themselves: “There once was a young man who had not been on good terms with his aunt for quite some time. He loved his aunt, but because of a minor argument long ago, they had stopped talking to each other. Ever since that argument, he had not paid her a single visit!” Some stories are more entertaining or illustrative than others, but they generally provide good lessons for children of the Islamic faith. The lovely illustrations are highlights of the work, presenting a colorful, stylishly textured, and multiracial view of Muhammad’s Arabia.
A well-constructed, beautifully illustrated set of Islamic children’s tales.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1-68312-123-7
Page Count: 146
Publisher: Kisa Kids Publications
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
