Coming February 6th, 2024 from Balzer + Bray; 32 pages
About the Author: “Rahma Rodaah was born and raised in Hargeisa, Somaliland. At the age of eight, her family immigrated to Canada where she still resides today. She is a mother of four children and enjoys reading and coming up with silly bedtime stories. She is also the author of two self-published picture books and firmly believes that children need to be able to identify themselves in the books they read” (Bio from HarperCollins website).
Find Rahma Rodaah on the following platforms:
About the Illustrator: “Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer from Amman, Jordan currently based in New York City. Her work moves away from state-centric ways of thinking to center the voices of ordinary people in historical and political narratives. Her debut children’s picture book, THESE OLIVE TREES (Viking Books, 2023), is inspired by the experiences of her family who cultivated her love of the earth throughout her upbringing in exile.
Aya graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Literary Arts & Studies. Previously a Children’s Books & Gifts Design Fellow at Chronicle Books, she is now a Designer at Penguin Workshop at Penguin Random House” (Bio from Aya Ghanameh’s website).
Find Aya Ghanameh on the following platforms:
Dear Muslim Child is an inspirational picture book that motivates Muslim children to be proud of who they are and where their faith comes from. Muslim children are encouraged to learn and celebrate their traditions and religion.
This picture book was adorable! Rodaah created a beautiful ode to Islam that felt like a warm hug, while Ghanameh’s illustrations added to the softness of the book and showed off the diversity of the religion. The book teaches Muslim children that they should not be ashamed of their beliefs and practices, like reciting adhan and wearing hijabs. I loved learning about a religion I didn’t know much about, and this book made it easy to understand the basics of the faith. Dear Muslim Child validates Muslim children and encourages them to be proud of themselves and their religion.
Dear Muslim Child releases on February 6th, 2024
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Balzer + Bray and SparkPoint Studio for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Kelly Marry, Pine Reads Review Social Media Co-Lead and Writer