As a folklorish tale—almost an extended anecdote—the brief telling leaves many questions for readers, and neither the dark,...
Newly married Yosef and Estrella move from a small Moroccan mountain village to Casablanca so that Yosef can earn a living.
Life in the big city is diametrically different from life in the Atlas Mountains. Relatives provide work for him, living quarters, furnishings, including a mirrored wardrobe. This last causes great anxiety for the bridal pair. Each sees other, handsomer, more beautiful, mate-stealing intruders in the mirror’s misread reflection—new spouses far superior to innocent “mountain Jews.” The rabbi is summoned, but he, also an innocent, sees the reflection of an unknown old man, full of wisdom. Who are these other people? This is the central mystery and moral of the tale. Though shaped like a folk tale, the story appears to be an original one, but it begs questions. What are mountain Jews? Are they like the Chelmites? Why does a mirror baffle them so? Illustrations add to the confusion, as features swing between flat shapes and careful shadings. Is the kindly, elfish-looking rabbi really the same person as the stoic, dour reflection in the following double-page spread—and the goofy rabbi caricature in the final one? Though the illustrations are populated by characters dressed in timeless North African cloaks and gowns, they go no further to establish a specific time or setting.
As a folklorish tale—almost an extended anecdote—the brief telling leaves many questions for readers, and neither the dark, heavy illustrations nor the text provides answers. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4677-3894-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2015
With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked...
From a debut author-and-illustrator team comes a glimpse into a young American Muslim girl’s family and community as she walks around in “Mommy’s khimar,” or headscarf.
The star of this sunny picture book is a young girl who finds joy in wearing her mother’s khimar, imagining it transforms her into a queen, a star, a mama bird, a superhero. At the core of the story is the love between the girl and her mother. The family appears to be African-American, with brown skin and textured hair. The girl’s braids and twists “form a bumpy crown” under the khimar, which smells of coconut oil and cocoa butter. Adults in her life delight in her appearance in the bright yellow khimar, including her Arabic teacher at the mosque, who calls it a “hijab,” and her grandmother, who visits after Sunday service and calls out “Sweet Jesus!” as she scoops her granddaughter into her arms. Her grandmother is, apparently, a Christian, but “We are a family and we love each other just the same.” The illustrations feature soft pastel colors with dynamic lines and gently patterned backgrounds that complement the story’s joyful tone. The words are often lyrical, and the story artfully includes many cultural details that will delight readers who share the cheerful protagonist’s culture and enlighten readers who don’t.
With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked cultural group . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-0059-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2018
Lively, funny, and child-friendly.
A young girl is upset when her mother defers her promises.
When Ranya asks her mother if they can go to the park, Mama replies, “Insha’Allah.” Ranya fumes—that’s what her parents always say when they mean no! Mama explains that the sky’s looking overcast and adds that “insha’Allah“ means “God willing.” People say it when they hope for something that they aren’t sure will happen: “Sometimes Allah has other plans.” Ranya pries a little more: Is that why they didn’t bake cookies last night? And why her sleepover with her friend Jayda fell through? And why her parents have never taken her to Disneyland? Mama replies that it was getting too late to bake and that Jayda’s grandmother became sick, but she promises to take Ranya to Disneyland before she turns 18…insha’Allah. Ranya negotiates with her mother, who agrees that they can bake cookies later and Ranya can plan another sleepover. Mama notices the weather has improved and says they can go to the park. But first, she asks Ranya to clean up her toys. Ranya impishly replies, “Insha’Allah!” This is a sweet introduction to an expression often used in Muslim and Arabic-speaking communities. The playful banter between mother and daughter forms the heart of the story. Ranya and Mama are illustrated with warm brown skin tones; theirs is a diverse neighborhood. Homey illustrations in bold primary colors create a sense of coziness.
Lively, funny, and child-friendly. (authors’ note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 14, 2024
ISBN: 9780823454419
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
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