I SAY AS-SALAMU 'ALAYKUM

Siblings Noura and Nabil introduce common Islamic phrases to young readers in this title and its companion in the Good Little Deeds board-book series.

On their way to the park, Nabil greets each person they meet with “As-salamu ‘alaykum” (“may peace be upon you”), leading Noura to ask why. Nabil explains that saying salam is a “prayer for someone’s peace and happiness.” With this understanding, Noura says salam to each creature they meet: a butterfly, a “ladybird,” a snail, and a rabbit. In companion title I Say Mashallah, Noura and Nabil go camping with their father, repeating, “Mashallah,” whenever they “see something beautiful.” First published in Indonesian in 2015, then translated into British English, this series introduces and breaks down common concepts and phrases used among Muslims, in Muslim-majority countries, and sometimes among speakers of Arabic. The titular phrase is repeated throughout the book, reinforcing word usage and appropriate times of use. The final page of each book includes the phrase in Arabic script with diacritics, a transliteration, and the English translation. Additional opportunities for extension and engagement invite children to count or name objects, and readers will enjoy the expressions of Noura’s goldfish, carried in a bowl throughout each book. In the simple, bright cartoon illustrations, Noura and Nabil and their family members have light-colored skin and brown hair. Nabil’s hair is curly while strands of Noura’s straight brown hair appear from under a pink headscarf.

A powerful tool for practical use in Muslim families and a cross-cultural–understanding opportunity for non-Muslim readers.