Desert Survival Author: K.J. Miftah & B. Adam Illustrator: Diyora Adbullaeva Publisher: Naml Publications Age: 7-10 Islamic Content: Creation of Allah, Camel Concerns: Death Summary: Wafi is an anxious camel and a member of a caravan. He is not as fast or as strong as other camels his age. His worries really take a toll on him. Until one day, when a sandstorm comes his way and his camel instinct take over. Review: This is book 2 in The Tiny Compass Series. This is an early read chapter book that is full of beneficial fact about the ships of the desert. Through this fast paced story, inter ..read more

My First Arabic Alphabet Book Author: Areyisha Mohamed Nalir Illustrator: Arini Hidayati Publisher: Self-Published Age: 3-6 Islamic Content: Arabic Alphabet Concerns: None Summary/Review: This picture book teaches the little ones the Arabic alphabet in an Islamic lens. The words used are all related to Islam and concepts connected directly to our deen. Each page includes the Arabic letter, related word, and translation. Where applicable, it also includes an ayah from the Qur'an or hadith reference. Some Arabic words the kids might already be familiar with and some might be The illustrations a ..read more

Lion on the Inside Author: Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson Illustrator: Kathrine Ahmed Publisher: Citizen Kid Age: 4-8 Islamic Content: Hijab Concerns: The hijab Summary: Bilqis has loved basketball from a very young age. She has always been part of the school team. But at a high school basketball tournament, the referee called her out for having a hijab (turban) during the game. She takes it upon herself to make great changes in the game. Review: I had never heard of Bilqis' story until I had seen this book announced months ago. Anytime a book is written about hijab inspiring young ..read more

The Gifted Memory: Story of Imam Bukhari Author: Sharmeen Amin Merchant Illustrator: Sania Hussain Publisher: Self-Published Age: 6-10 Islamic Content: Biography and contribution of Imam Bukhari Concerns: None Summary: This one of a kind book is a biography of Imam Bukhari (may Allah be pleased with him). The story begins with his parents and when they were gifted with a new born son. Continues with his childhood, youth, his teachers and learning the deen and his journey to make a hadith collection. Review: This book is divided into sections/chapters for the ease of reading. It is written in ..read more

Huda F Cares? Author/Illustrator: Huda Fahmy @yesimhotinthis Publisher: Dial @penguinteen Age: 12+ Islamic Content: Muslim Identity Concerns: title? otherwise very clean for the age group Summary: Huda and her family embark on a road trip journey. Destination: Disney World. This is their her parents' attempt to have the sisters spend quality time with one another and develop a sisterly bond. Review: I have been anticipating this book since I read the 1st graphic! Huda's work is so raw and relatable and how she is able to turn the content into humorous reads, it's amazing! This YA book is all ..read more

Bismillah Chef Author: Suad Sultan Publisher: Inspiring the Love of Islam @inspiringtheloveofislam Age: 5+ Islamic Content: throughout Concerns: None Summary/Review: This cookbook contains over 30 recipes along with stories that inspire little chefs to be in the kitchen. The book begins with helpful pages on how to make intention, be safe and clean in the kitchen and how to read recipes. There are 3 levels of difficulty for each recipe. each dish is accompanied with an inspiring story might appeal to little chefs. Recipes include variety of dishes such as rice, soup, salad, smoothies, dough e ..read more

The Librarian of Basra Author/Illustrator: Jeanette Winter Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Age: 4-8 Islamic Content: Muslim story/characters Concerns: War Summary: Alia Muhammad Baker is a librarian in the city of Basra in Iraq. When the war got close to home, Alia takes matters into her own hands to save most books before the library gets destroyed. Review: I have previously borrowed this book from the public library a few years ago but my kids were a little sensitive when they looked through the pictures of war and soldiers. Now that they are older I purchased this book and I was able ..read more

Always Sisters Author: Saira Mir Illustrator: Shahrzad Maydani Publisher: @simonkids Age: 4-8 Islamic Content: Muslim Names Concerns: Miscarriage, Loss Summary: Raya is going to have a baby sister and she imagines herself playing and bonding with her. But when her parents come home from the hospital one day, they tell her that Nur will not be coming home with them. Review: This picture book gently touches on family, love and loss. Although the names are Muslim, there is no religious connection in the content and the message is very universal. Raya is the older sister that anticipates the arri ..read more

Letters from a Prophet Author: Zimarina Sarwar Illustrator: Giorgio Bacchin Publisher: Kube Publishing @kubepublishing Age: 10+ Islamic Content: Islamic History, Geography and Message Concerns: None Summary/Review: It was a complete surprise to get this book in the mail from @kubepublishing, so I had no particular expectations. When I held it in my hands and flipped through the pages, the physical quality, the attention to details that brought this book together just blew me away. The book is a non-fiction historical take and is divided into sections. It begins with where the idea of the lett ..read more

Sitti's Key Author: Sahar Khader Ali Illustrator: Noor Alshalabi Publisher: Little Hibba @littlehibba Age: 4-8 Islamic Content: Muslim Family/Characters Concerns: Mildly Sensitive content Summary: When Amal's grandmother unpacks and hangs a special key on the wall, Amal is curious. Sitti narrates her personal story of the Nakba in 1948 when her family was forced to leave their homes by the occupying forces. Review: It is so amazing that so many book are finally coming out with Palestinian stories. Each one id so different from one another highlighting and centering different aspect of their s ..read more