Father’s Day is this Sunday so I put together a list of my favorite Muslim children books to encourage great father-child interactions.
Some came from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, while a few are from American Muslims or other parts of the world were Muslims live. A couple even include grandfathers.
They make a great gift for dad, to show him how much he is appreciated. You can also send the link to your school librarian to add to their offerings that showcase Muslims in everyday life.
The titles will take you to the Amazon page to purchase them. Any money made from the affiliate sales of these books helps cover the craft supply costs of this free educational blog.
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A Balloon for Grandad by Nigel Gray (Author), Jane Ray (Illustrator)
Unhappy when he loses his silver and red balloon, Sam is comforted by imagining it on its way to visit his grandfather in Egypt.
Drummer Girl byHiba Masood (Author), Najiyah Maxfield (Editor), Hoda Hadadi (Illustrator)
Year after year, in the blessed month of Ramadan, little Najma has happily arisen to the drum beat of her neighborhood’s musaharati. He walks through the streets of her small Turkish village, waking each family for the pre-dawn meal before the long day of fasting. Najma wants nothing more than to be a musaharati herself one day, but no girl has ever taken on the role before. Her father nurtures her wishes, and encourages her to fulfill her dreams!
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed (Author), Anoosha Syed (Illustrator)
Six-year-old Bilal is excited to help his dad make his favorite food of all-time: daal! The slow-cooked lentil dish from South Asia requires lots of ingredients and a whole lot of waiting. Bilal wants to introduce his friends to daal. They’ve never tried it! As the day goes on, the daal continues to simmer, and more kids join Bilal and his family, waiting to try the tasty dish. And as time passes, Bilal begins to wonder: Will his friends like it as much as he does?
The Butter Man by Elizabeth Letts (Author), Ali Alalou (Author), Julie Klear Essakalli (Illustrator)
While Nora waits impatiently for dinner, her father stirs up a story from his childhood. During a famine Nora’s grandfather must travel over the mountain to find work so he can provide food for his family. While young Ali waits for his father’s return, he learns a lesson of patience, perseverance, and hope.
Clever Ali by Nancy Farmer (Author), Gail De Marcke (Illustrator)
Ali is finally old enough to join his father in tending pigeons for the evil Sultan of Cairo. The boy is given a pet pigeon, but warned NEVER to feed it too much, lest it become spoiled and lazy. But Ali feels sorry for his hungry pet and disobeys. When the overfed bird becomes greedy and ruins a plate of the Sultan’s cherries, Ali is in big trouble! Now he has only three days to replace the Sultan’s 600 cherries from the snowy mountains of Syria. Only then can he save his father from the dreaded Oubliette: a deep pit where a giant demon is waiting!
The Hundredth Name by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim (Author), Michael Hays (Illustrator)
This picture book for young readers about family, friendship and faith is rich in the details of Middle Eastern village life. It tells the warm story of a bond between a father, a son, and the son’s favorite camel, as well as their devotion to the Muslim faith, and the power of prayer in their daily life.
Ibrahim by Francesc d’A Sales (Author), Eulalia Sariola (Illustrator)
It’s a big day for Ibrahim when he starts work at his father’s stall in the market place of Marrekesh. The market is alive with bright colors and the cries of vendors. Ibrahim is excited not only to be a part of all the bustling activty, but also to be entering the world of grown-ups.
The Little Green Drum by Taghreed Najjar (Author). Hassan Manasrah (Illustrator)
Samia’s father has a very important job. He is the Dawn Waker-Upper for the whole village, during the holy month of Ramadan. But one year, just before Ramadan, her father is not very well. Can Samia take his place as the Waker Upper?
My Dad’s Beard by Zanib Mian (Author), Laura Ewing (Illustrator)
An adorable little character shows us how much he admires his dad by sharing amusing observations and heartfelt sentiments of his beard, and why he and the others love it! A warm and loving family. A perfect picture book to read aloud, or for small children to read to themselves time and time again.
My Father’s Shop by Satomi Ichikawa
Mustafa loves a particular rug in his father’s shop. It has a hole in it, so he can put it over his head and still see out. His father wants to teach his son some foreign languages, but Mustafa runs off to the bustling Moroccan market instead (with his favourite rug on his head). There he finds a different way of learning other languages – and of getting tourists to his father’s shop.
My Grandfather’s Masbaha by Susan Daniel Fayad (Author), Avery Liell-Kok (Illustrator)
One summer day at his grandparents’ home in Lebanon, Adam gets upset after his friends leave after a play date. His grandfather (Jidoo Yousef) helps him realize how much he has. By using the masbaha (a string of beads) he learns how to count his blessings.
Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales, Mehrdokht Amini (Illustrations)
Written as a letter from a father to his daughter, Yo Soy Muslim is a celebration of social harmony and multicultural identities. The vivid and elegant verse, accompanied by magical and vibrant illustrations, highlights the diversity of the Muslim community as well as Indigenous identity. A literary journey of discovery and wonder, Yo Soy Muslim is sure to inspire adults and children alike.
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Stop by A Crafty Arab’s educational page to see more book lists, like these
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