A Spotlight on 3 Children's Books For Islamic History Month

  

October is Islamic History Month, and many libraries will be showcasing Islamic books. This makes it a perfect opportunity to discover stories for learning and celebrating identity. While reading is an activity we treasure all year long, this month is a reminder to explore new titles, share them with your children, and strengthen their Islamic values. Reading together has many benefits. It encourages bonding, builds language skills, and provides gentle transitions for winding down before bed.

As both an adult educator and a grandmother, I’ve spent years teaching, exploring how people learn, and engaging young minds.  Now I’m doing the same for my own granddaughters. This blend of professional and personal experience allows me to select children’s books that nurture early learning, ignite curiosity, and encourage an appreciation for Islamic values.

In this blog, I’ll be reviewing three board books for younger children that you may find at your local library. These books are fun to read with your children, and you may also want to purchase them later to build your child’s library or to gift to others.

Board Books

Board books are sturdy and durable. The board pages have rounded corners, non-toxic material, so they are safe for babies to explore with their hands and mouths.  Board books introduce early reading skills such as holding a book, turning pages, and gaining visual and language skills.

·    For babies (0-12 months): Reading aloud provides a special bonding time between you and your little one and can help to soothe your baby with the sound of your voice. Allowing this age group to physically explore a book helps to introduce your child to the world of books.

With that in mind, here’s the first board book that’s perfect for this age group.

Spotlight #1

Friday Fun 

Written by Marzieh Abbas, Pictures by Anoosha Syed (Ages 0-12)

Friday Fun is a cheerful board book that introduces little ones to the beauty of Jummah, the Friday prayers. In Islam, Friday is a very special day — a time for worship, community, and reflection.

The story has two main parts. The first part of the book focuses on preparing for prayers, such as grooming and clothing. The second part of the book is the mosque visit that includes the khutbah, prayers, charity, and the sense of community.

 The book is really good for babies and toddlers for several reasons.

 #1. The rhyming text helps build vocabulary. For example, “Socked feet, Hijab neat." This makes the story memorable for early learners and playful when read aloud.

 #2. The bold and colourful pictures capture attention and imagination while teaching basic concepts.

#3. Friday Fun also reflects the racial and cultural diversity of Muslims. Therefore, children can see themselves and their community in the book.

In summary, this book helps to instill the significance of Friday prayers from an early age. 

Spotlight #2

Yum Yum

Written by Catherine Hnatov -Arabic/English (Ages 0-12)

This book introduces babies and toddlers to colours. Each page highlights a particular colour, which is shown on the right-hand side of the page. The Arabic text is at the top of the page with English at the bottom. The name of the colour is bigger than the rest of the text for emphasis. On the left-hand side of the page is a drawing of the animal in black and white, eating the food in the colour being taught. This book does not over-stimulate, so your child can focus on the colours.

 I like this book because:

#1. It’s a high-contrast book. High contrast books allow babies to better distinguish shapes and patterns. The book features bold black and white illustrations of animals munching on their favourite food. It helps to improve their ability to focus while encouraging language development.

#2. This book is translated into many languages. I chose the Arabic translation as it exposes the Arabic text from an early age. As a result, the book opens from right to left. This allows your child the opportunity to explore book opening in the opposite direction.

Overall, Yum Yum is a wonderful first book for babies and toddlers—simple, visually engaging, and meaningful for Muslim families to introduce colours, animals, and the Arabic language early in your child’s reading journey.

Spotlight #3

My First Book About Hajj

Written by Sara Khan, Illustrated by Ali Lodge (Ages 2+)

Overview:

This book introduces Hajj as one of the 5 pillars of Islam, beginning with the preparations and guiding the reader with the steps involved to complete the Hajj. The book's aim is to educate and instill a love for Islam.

Perfect for older children, this book is engaging and easy to read with vibrant illustrations. "My First Book about Hajj" would make the perfect addition to a child's library, and it makes an ideal gift.

Why I love this book:

#1. The book is visually engaging with its beautiful illustrations.

#2. It's simple and easy to understand the text when combined with the visuals.

#3. Shows family, people of all ages, and all cultures on Hajj. 

#4. The book ends with facts and questions about Hajj. 

Overall, it's a lovely book that grows with your child, suitable for toddlers and young children alike.  It's a meaningful and educational addition to your child's Islamic book collection.

Note:  This book is part of a series. Be sure to explore the other books.

 Reading Nook Inspiration

Make story time extra special by creating a reading nook for your little one.  Add soft pillows, shelving for books and toys, and a warm reading lamp to set the mood. Having a designated space encourages independent reading habits as your child grows. If you're looking for cozy fall activities with your little one, check out my previous blog post: 5 Baby-Friendly Fall Outings & Activities. 

Gift Ideas

These board books make a thoughtful addition to a newborn gift set. Pair them with a welcome baby greeting card and a cute handmade baby bottle cover customized to fit any bottle brand for a sweet and practical gift. 

Have you read any of these books? What Islamic children's books would you recommend to others? Comment below.