Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

ABlack Muslim boy must summon the courage to ask for a place at school to pray.

It’s Muhammad’s seventh birthday, and Daddy has a special gift for him: a prayer rug that’s royal blue with gold stitching and that smells of incense. Muhammad is now old enough to independently offer the five Muslim daily prayers, or salat. He packs the rug before school the next day and plans to find a private place for salat. But asking his teacher for help feels harder than anticipated—especially after show more seeing mean passersby jeer at his father, who prays in the open while working as an ice cream truck driver. To claim a space, Muhammad will need to be brave, just like his joyful, hardworking Daddy. Once again, Thompkins-Bigelow (Mommy’s Khimar, 2018) has written a beautiful, positive, and welcome portrayal of Black Muslim families. Her melodic writing captures Muhammad’s feelings as he works to find his voice and advocate for his needs. Aly’s playful, energetic illustrations offer a nod to Islamic art traditions and work in tandem with the text to give readers a glimpse into Muhammad’s hopes, fears, and growth. An author’s note explains what salat is, the times and names of the prayers, how it is performed, and other relevant terms used within the text. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An empowering and important tale of bravery. (Picture book. 5-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

A young girl plays with her mother's beautiful khimars - an alternative word for hijab, often favored by African-American Muslims - in this brightly illustrated picture-book celebration. Selecting one in her favorite color (yellow), the girl has many imaginative adventures - playing at being a superhero, and a mama bird - as well as real-world ones, like attending mosque. In the end, the khimar is most important to the girl as a means of connecting her to her beloved mother...

One of a group show more of new children's books published by Salaam Reads, a newly formed imprint of Simon & Schuster whose catalogue is intended to highlight the experiences of young Muslim Americans, Mommy's Khimar is a title that left me with mixed feelings. I appreciated the true sense of family love and togetherness displayed in author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow's narrative, and thought illustrator Ebony Glenn's artwork was lovely. Unfortunately, although I do think representation is important, and applaud Salaam Reads' overall goal to publish stories featuring American children who are Muslim, I simply couldn't muster any enthusiasm for a book aimed at young girls which promotes the idea of the hijab as something positive. Given the sexual and religious politics implicit in the wearing of this garment, and the profound ethical objections I have to those politics, I simply can't take the book to heart, or recommend it to young children, despite its other fine qualities. show less

Picture Book
2018

This book is beautifully illustrated, the vibrant colors - with just the right sheen - really add to the storytelling. In it, we meet a young girl whose name is not given. Right from the beginning there is a picture of her and her mother, where her mother is straightening her scarf. The girl tells us that her mother's scarf is a khimar and that her mother dons one every day before leaving the house. She loves her mommy's khimar's and lists off several of the colors and show more textures that she sees. Sometimes her mommy lets her wear one of her scarves. The girl loves when this happens and feels very special. She describes how close she feels to her mother, even when she's away, because she can smell the beauty products she uses and the scent of her favorite dessert. Throughout the book we are shown that while not all of her family members wear khimars, or even practice the same religion, they are still family and love each other regardless.

Mommy's Khimar is a book that I would love to have in my classroom, library, or would easily suggest to patrons. It teaches of love, support, family, acceptance, and imagination as well. I chose it because although the girl talks primarily about her mother, we see her father, her grandmother, and a younger sibling. The discussion of the mother/daughter bond is particularly strong. I think this is a great book to illustrate that people from all cultural backgrounds have strong family ties and reasons why they love their mom. It also helps to shine a light on the fact that wearing a khimar or hijab doesn't make you "other" it's a cultural tradition, but that there are similarities there as well. If we teach children at a young age that our differences are to be celebrated and don't make us bad, it lends to a more compassionate and kind adult.

When reading this book aloud, I think it would be fun to have scarves - and if possible - actual khimars for children to wear while the story is being told. Perhaps someone who would normally wear a hijab or khimar could come in and show the different ways to wear or style it. show less

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a show more celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names. show less