A well-illustrated tale that’s suitable for children whose parents seek to encourage their Muslim faith.
This book, intended to “establish an Islāmic foundation for the future generations,” is the fifth in a series about the roles of animals in the Quran, and focuses on the bird Hudhud.
The Prophet Sulayman rules over a large number of people, and has the ability to communicate with animals. One day, he discovers that his messenger bird, Hudhud, is missing. He asks the eagle Kurkus, leader of all birds, to search for him, to no avail. It’s revealed that Hudhud’s in the city of Saba, where the people, led by Queen Bilquis, worship the sun. The bird quickly travels back to Sulayman and tells him the news. The leader is distraught that Bilquis and her people aren’t worshipping Allah, so he sends her a letter, asking her to reconsider. The two rulers test each other, and eventually, Bilquis’ faith in Allah is solidified. Overall, Abidi (Prophet Musa & the Serpent, 2018, etc.) provides an appealing introduction to important events in the Quran. The story is paired with bright, colorful digital illustrations; Sulayman’s face, in particular, is illuminated to denote his holy nature. The end of the book provides questions that caregivers can use to help start conversations with their children about the story and its deeper meaning.
A well-illustrated tale that’s suitable for children whose parents seek to encourage their Muslim faith.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1-68312-077-3
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Kisa Kids Publications
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A festive invitation to creative liberation.
A pleasingly tactile exploration of the possibilities inherent in mistakes.
"A torn piece of paper... / is just the beginning!" Spills, folded paper, drips of paint, smudges and smears—they "all can make magic appear." An increasingly complex series of scenarios celebrates random accidents, encouraging artistic experimentation rather than discouragement. The folded-over paper can be a penguin's head; a torn piece of newsprint can turn into a smiling dog with a little application of paint; a hot-chocolate stain can become a bog for a frog. Thanks to a telescoping pop-up, a hole is filled with nearly limitless possibilities. The interactive elements work beautifully with the photo-collaged "mistakes," never overwhelming the intent with showiness. Saltzberg's trademark cartoon animals provide a sweetly childlike counterpoint to the artful scribbles and smears of gloppy paint.
A festive invitation to creative liberation. (Pop-up. 4-12)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7611-5728-1
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: Dec. 10, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2010
A lovely encouragement to young writers to persist.
This follow-up to How To Read a Story (2005) shows a child going through the steps of creating a story, from choosing an idea through sharing with friends.
A young black child lies in a grassy field writing in a journal, working on “Step 1 / Search for an Idea— / a shiny one.” During a walk to the library, various ideas float in colorful thought bubbles, with exclamation points: “playing soccer! / dogs!” Inside the library, less-distinct ideas, expressed as shapes and pictures, with question marks, float about as the writer collects ideas to choose from. The young writer must then choose a setting, a main character, and a problem for that protagonist. Plotting, writing with detail, and revising are described in child-friendly terms and shown visually, in the form of lists and notes on faux pieces of paper. Finally, the writer sits in the same field, in a new season, sharing the story with friends. The illustrations feature the child’s writing and drawing as well as images of imagined events from the book in progress bursting off the page. The child’s main character is an adventurous mermaid who looks just like the child, complete with afro-puff pigtails, representing an affirming message about writing oneself into the world. The child’s family, depicted as black, moves in the background of the setting, which is also populated by a multiracial cast.
A lovely encouragement to young writers to persist. (Informational picture book. 6-10)Pub Date: July 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4521-5666-8
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
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