Golden domes and silver lanterns: a Muslim book of colors

In this picture book, Khan (Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story) immerses young readers in "deen"-the Muslim way of life. Each spread portrays a Muslim custom, clothing style, or religious tenet and links it to a color used throughout the scene. "Red is the rug Dad kneels on to pray" exemplifies the accessible mix of tradition (prayer rugs) and modernity (colloquial English) the author uses throughout the book. The emphases are both the particulars of Islam and the universal concerns of all caring societies and religions-devotion; helping the poor through "zakat," or money for charity; exchanging gifts at the holiday of Eid. Amini's (The Faerie Door) illustrations apply lush and muted jewel tones to images and scenes from domestic and religious life in a contemporary Muslim culture. Scenes of street life and home life hold architectural detail and textile patterns and attract second and third looks. Arabic terms are woven into the text, some explained directly, some by context, making the book suitable for children of all faiths. A glossary provides additional information. Ages 3-7. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A sophisticated color-concept book featuring a contemporary family introduces Islam to young Muslims and children who don't practice this faith. Here the basic colors, plus gold and silver, are used to explain aspects of Islamic life. A young girl with very large eyes narrates, using short, childlike and occasionally forced verses to match colors and objects: "Gold is the dome of the mosque, / big and grand. / Beside it two towering / minarets stand." She describes a red prayer rug, her mom's blue hijab (headscarf), white kufis (traditional men's woven hats), black ink for a calligraphic design, brown dates for Ramadan, orange henna designs, an Eid gift of a doll with a purple dress, a yellow zakat (charity) box, a green Quran (green has special significance in Islam, not explained here), and a silver fanoos, "a shiny lantern." The glossary is excellent, explaining unfamiliar terms succinctly. The stylized illustrations, richly detailed, often play with the sizes of the objects in a surrealistic way. It is difficult to tell whether the family lives in the Middle East, Britain (home of the artist) or North America. The secular architecture looks Western, but the mosque looks very grand and Middle Eastern. The clothing styles are difficult to associate with a particular country. This both maximizes accessibility and deprives the tale of specificity--clearly a conscious trade-off. A vibrant exploratory presentation that should be supplemented with other books. (Picture book. 4-7) ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this picture book, Khan (Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story) immerses young readers in "deen"—the Muslim way of life. Each spread portrays a Muslim custom, clothing style, or religious tenet and links it to a color used throughout the scene. "Red is the rug Dad kneels on to pray" exemplifies the accessible mix of tradition (prayer rugs) and modernity (colloquial English) the author uses throughout the book. The emphases are both the particulars of Islam and the universal concerns of all caring societies and religions—devotion; helping the poor through "zakat," or money for charity; exchanging gifts at the holiday of Eid. Amini's (The Faerie Door) illustrations apply lush and muted jewel tones to images and scenes from domestic and religious life in a contemporary Muslim culture. Scenes of street life and home life hold architectural detail and textile patterns and attract second and third looks. Arabic terms are woven into the text, some explained directly, some by context, making the book suitable for children of all faiths. A glossary provides additional information. Ages 3–7. (June)