In My Mosque

by M.O. Yuksel, Hatem Aly (Illustrator)

Step in and discover all the rituals and wonder of the mosque in this lyrical debut picture book from M. O. Yuksel, with gorgeous artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly. A great conversation starter in the home or classroom, this book is perfect for fans of All Are Welcome and The Proudest Blue.

No matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone is welcome here. From grandmothers reading lines of the Qur’an and the imam telling stories of living as one, to meeting new friends and learning to help others, mosques are centers for friendship, community, and love.

M. O. Yuksel’s beautiful text celebrates the joys and traditions found in every mosque around the world and is brought to life with stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly (Yasmin series, The Proudest Blue, The Inquisitor’s Tale). The book also includes backmatter with an author’s note, a glossary, and more information about many historical and significant mosques around the world.

"This personable, sensory love letter to a range of children’s mosque experiences will engage new learners and resonate with those already familiar." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This marvelous, welcoming book on mosques, Muslims, and Islam is a must, offering foundational knowledge on the world’s second largest religion." —School Library Journal (starred review)

"Young readers are welcomed to a mosque brimming with faithful family, friends, and community. Both text and art convey some tenets of Islam and emphasize the mosque's role as a place for faith and celebration." —Horn Book

"Joyful characters describe what happens in simple, poetic language. Both a celebration of and an introduction to the mosque." —Kirkus

"Joyful celebration of mosques around the world. Themes of family and friendship prevail, along with references to spirituality." —Providence Journal

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 · A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021 · An ALA 2022 Notable Children’s Book · A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection · Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Selection · A New York Public Library 2021 Summer Recommendation Reading List Pick · A 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award Winner for Best Nonfiction Picture Book · A 2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List title · An Ontario Library Association Best Bets Top Ten List · A Wisconsin State Reading Association 2022 Picture This Recommendation · A CCBC 2022 Best Choice of the Year · Winner of the 2021 Undies Award for Fanciest Case Cover · A 2022 Notable Book for a Global Society

Genres: Picture Books, Religion, Childrens, Islam, Muslims, Nonfiction, Family

Hardcover

First published March 23, 2021

About the author

Of Uzbek heritage, M.O. Yuksel was born in Türkiye, raised in New York, and now lives in New Jersey with her family and two cats. A graduate of Columbia University and Fordham University, she writes books for young readers when she’s not on the soccer field cheering for her kids. She’s on the board of the Muslim Literary Festival, served as a juror for the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, and is a member of the planning committee and a mentor for the Highlights Foundation Muslim Writers Fellowship Program.

M.O. Yuksel is the author of the critically acclaimed picture book, IN MY MOSQUE, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 2021). In a starred review by School Library Journal, IN MY MOSQUE has been described as, “[a] marvelous, welcoming book…offering foundational knowledge on the world’s second-largest religion”, and Publisher’s Weekly in a starred review states, “a range of children’s mosque experiences will engage new learners and resonate with those already familiar”. IN MY MOSQUE has won several awards including an American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, the 2022 Notable Books for a Global Society Award, 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, Texas Library Association Texas Topaz 2022 Nonfiction Gem Award, and has been named the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of 2021.

M.O. Yuksel is also the author of ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi (HarperCollins, 2022), which has been described as, “a beautiful new biography,” in a starred review by School Library Journal, and “an inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge,” by Kirkus Reviews. ONE WISH is an Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a National Council of Social Studies and Children’s Book Council Notable Book, School Library Journal, Nerdy Book Club Best Nonfiction Book, and Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

Her most recent books include RAMADAN KAREEM, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 2024), and SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story, illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay (Charlesbridge, 2024).

A Bank Street Best Book of the Year, Ramadan Kareem has garnered two starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal. Booklist calls Ramadan Kareem, “an exceptionally warm and illuminating celebration,” and School Library Journal notes that “this book reflects the diversity in Muslim communities around the world while uplifting the shared principles of the holy month of Ramadan.”

School Library Journal, in their starred review, describes SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT as, “A gift to all readers! Readers who celebrate Eid al-Adha will enjoy seeing their annual tradition, while readers who do not practice Islam will get a peek into a modern way to celebrate an ancient holiday. Adults will love to use this story as a model to broach conversations about traditions, as well as deeper themes of loss, philanthropy, and homelessness. An easy recommendation for all libraries. Add it to elementary and high school shelves.”

Yuksel’s highly anticipated forthcoming book includes THE PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia (HarperCollins, 2025). In a Kirkus starred review, the biography is described as, “A luminous tribute to a notable figure that’s sure to satisfy—and inspire—inquisitive minds.”

Learn more about Yuksel and her books at www.moyuksel.com

Reviews

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely gorgeous. Being Jewish myself, I don't know a lot about Islam and this book is a wonderful introduction to the community you might find in a mosque. The text is simple and inviting, the illustrations completely stunning (my favorite is the page with the text, "I understand--we are all connected and come from the same Creator" with the mosaic that spreads out from a young girl's face and hijab). There is also some wonderful educational material in the back of the book that talks about holy sites in Islam and famous mosques on various continents.

This book is an utter gem. I'm so glad I own a copy of my own to return to whenever I want to read it and appreciate its brilliant illustrations again.

[Becky Scharnhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read this gorgeous book feelings of peace, love, and joy washed over me. I literally felt as though I was visiting a mosque firsthand and was being welcomed into the warm embrace of the people gathered there. There are so many beautiful lines that capture the hospitality of this holy place - “We are a rainbow of colors and speak in different accents,” “My auntie gives me a hug and I know I am loved,” “A joy blooms inside me and lifts up like a balloon,” “My mosque feels save like home.” The beautiful and bright illustrations pair perfectly with the evocative text and draw you in even deeper. In addition, there are several pages of backmatter for readers interested in learning more. This book reminds us that we are all connected, and we all hope for same things - peace, love, and joy. A must read for everyone!

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Extensive list in the back matter of notable mosques around the world for further inquiry.

[Sarah Daniluk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful, informative, inclusive. <3

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excels in many ways. The illustrations are vibrant and immersive. Both text and illustrations convey the warmth and welcome and sense of home and peace that the children in their mosque experience. It also conveys the diversity among Muslims (as the afterward notes, it is "a diverse and multiethnic religion"). I'm happy to see a picture book like this.

Now, as for the aspect of educating those unfamiliar with mosques and Islam in general, I do feel it falls short in a few ways. First, the mosque (mosques? I think it may be depicting more than one) in the book -- absolutely beautiful with a particular style of architecture and the back matter highlights "many famous and historic mosques throughout the world." At one point, a boy mentions looking up at the high dome in his mosque and feels at home. While there is nothing wrong with this, I couldn't help but feel it is a bit of an incomplete picture of places of worship for Muslims in America. I will speak here only from my (albeit limited) experiences having been close friends with a Muslim when I was in college but at that time there were no mosques (of the type that are depicted in this book, that is, a specially designed building specifically for the purpose) in our area. The place where my friend worshiped on Fridays was a place rented by the local Muslim community in a local strip mall. It was humble and certainly didn't resemble the place in this book on the outside, but it was their community and spiritual center in the area. Similarly, the Islamic center in the city where we live now is not a beautiful ornate mosque as pictured in this book but appears to be a building in typical commercial center. I believe these are still considered mosques? The ones I have seen are, on the sign, called "Muslim Center of [Town]" so I am not sure if there is a separate designation for "mosque" but it has been my understanding that a mosque is simply a public building where Muslims come together to worship and that is a purpose these buildings serve. In any case, if a key purpose for the book is to help Muslims in America be more understood and visible in the non-Muslim community, it would have been nice if the book addressed this since, at least in the areas I have lived, these more common as places for Muslims to come together and worship. If one was only looking for mosques (as depicted in this book) as sign of Muslim presence in the community, one might, unfortunately, miss it.

I also feel it is worth mentioning what an Amazon reviewer noted: "My only complaint is that I wish, since the book emphasizes people of all colors etc in the mosque, that it would have reflected someone Shia praying in one of the illustrations of namaz.
I’m Shia and we don’t clasp our hands when we pray (they hang by our sides)."

Finally, while the glossary was a welcome addition, I would have liked a pronunciation guide, as well. Again, this book seems to be written for those unfamiliar with Islam (the main point is to explain what happens in the mosque and to say that mosques are welcoming, the final line is "You are welcome in my mosque") since most of the target audience will be unfamiliar with Arabic, too. Of course, one could look up pronunciations online, but I always like it when it's part of the book.

So, overall, many strengths to this book and I do recommend it, with the caveat that perhaps one could google their local area mosques to show a more complete picture of the places Muslims worship in different parts of the world.

[yanah⋆˚࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this just now at my library in like 3 minutes and it was sososo cute!!!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeously written and beautifully illustrated book is exactly what educators and literacy advocates mean when they talk about children's books serving as windows and mirrors. As a reader, I felt welcomed to this mosque as a visitor, and was delighted to have a window into a world that I'm not familiar with. Turning the pages felt like spending a day inside this lovely mosque. I'd imagine that a young Muslim reader would also feel delight at this mirror of their own experience, and deep familiarity with the scenes depicted on the page. A remarkable book, I highly recommend it.

[Jessica Kulekjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning! This book is engaging from the first page to the interesting back matter. Readers join a child on a welcoming journey through their Mosque to discover all the loving details of this warm community that shares peace and belonging to anyone who enters. A must read!

[Imanewreader ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful book with stunning arts about mosques around the world. the richness of our ummah. the variety of architecture, decors, colors, and landscapes muslims around the world know.
it's a great book for children and adults equally!

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cerita nya menarik dan heart warming, sebagian gambarnya juga mengingatkan bocil-bocil di masjid 🤭🤣🤣

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I loved the bright, colorful illustrations and the gentle, lyrical text. If you want to bring up children who are open and kind and loving, this is the book for you. It will teach them how to understand Islam and seamlessly and simultaneously teach tolerance and kindness toward people who follow a religion that is somewhat a minority in the US. With all the bigotry and hatred we are seeing in the world today, In My Mosque is a breath of fresh air that gives me hope that we can raise a generation of kindhearted, generous, loving children despite what we've seen in recent days all around us. This is a healing book!

[Julie Rowan-Zoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reader is invited to explore through visits to mosques all over the world. So sumptuously rendered with warm and cheerful colors and richly detailed. The lyrical text gently sways back and forth on each spread, sharing scenes at the mosque and a child's perceptive observations and feelings. A lovely introduction to beautiful traditions. "Everyone is welcome!"

[Christina Soontornvat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated, beautifully written. The first time I set foot inside a mosque was within the pages of this picture book. I learned so many new things and found so many things that were familiar at the same time. This is a wonderful example of how books can take us everywhere, generate empathy, and highlight our connected humanity.

[Aya Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that explores the versatility of Mosques around the world! Vivid and fun illustrations and lyrical text, this book is a the perfect addition to any home, school or library. This is a fun and informative book that everyone, regardless or religion or culture, will enjoy!!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a pretty book! The illustrations are gorgeous. Two children tell a welcoming story about their mosque and what goes on there. Kids (and adults!) will learn something about a religion and culture with which they may not be familiar.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book! Beautiful & informative with a welcoming feel.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arab American Heritage Month: book number 1.

The illustrations are delightfully colorful and detailed. I love the cover. The inside cover art and some additional pages contain birds filled in with colorful geometric shapes, or geometric shapes filled in with flowers.

The text is written from the POV of a child who explains all about his mosque.

“In our mosque, we end our prayers by greeting the angels on our shoulders who watch over us day and night. My angels cheer me on as I whisper heartfelt wishes and hope they all come true.”
In My Mosque, by M.O. Yuksel

“In my mosque we pray for peace, love, and joy
just like my friends who worship in churches, temples, and synagogues.”
In My Mosque, by M.O. Yuksel

At the end of the book, there are four pages with information:

• All About Mosques
• Glossary
• Author’s Note
• Here are just a few of the very famous and historic mosques throughout the world

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a dear friend who is Muslim and yet I know nothing about what it means when she "goes to the mosque." This picture book is ever so sweet in lifting the curtain and sharing.

Only issue I had with this book was the lack of a pronunciation guide. I would want to say the Arabic words and phrases properly so as to respect their religion and customs.

What I DID think was cool is the list of notable mosques from around the world. I googled them and wow....gorgeous!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everyone is welcome here."

M.O. Yuksel invites you into a mosque. Step in. Take off your shoes. Take a look around and hear the chanting grandfathers, the grandmothers reading from the Qur'an. Listen as the imam tells stories of living together as one.

Beautiful illustrations and beautiful text that shares what goes on inside a mosque.

[Abby Johnson]

This is a friendly and inviting introduction to a mosque as a house of worship and a community center. This would be a good book to explain to children who have never been to a mosque what a mosque is and it's a good picture book for Muslim representation.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoping to bridge differences and build understanding, this is a wonderful book about mosques around the world. It speaks to the commonalities while the illustrations help to show the diversity of mosques in different countries around the world. A positive, informative, relatable, and incredibly beautiful book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are welcome in my mosque."

In this breathtakingly gorgeous picture book, Yuksel and Aly warmly and vibrantly welcome readers into the mosque and the practice of Islam. Through Yuksel's lyrical language and Aly's rich patterns and colors, each spread is a celebration of the beliefs and customs of the religion, and a heartfelt offering that all are welcome. The latter wonderfully illustrated by the diversity of children and adults displayed throughout.

Yuksel also provides detailed back matter to engage and educate those learning about the Islam religion including an author's note, glossary, and instruction on where to find some of the world's most famous mosques.

In My Mosque is a truly wonderful and important read.

[Shifa Safadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST-HAVE book and I recommend purchasing a copy!!🎉🎉⠀

I was so absolutely blown away by this new @harperkids book, written by the amazing talented @moyuksel.author ❤️⠀
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This book brought back to me allll the feels and emotions I had when I used to enter my Mosque (unfortunately haven’t been back at my mosque since covid😭)! In fact, this book made me realize how MUCH I missed going to the Mosque and missed that special feeling of peace I got every time I stepped inside to pray.⠀
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From the beautiful gorgeous art (by the wonderfully talented @metahatem ) inspired by different Mosques and their Islamic and geometric art, to the beautiful meaningful words, to the glossary, authors note, and even Mosque references at the end-this picture book has it all and is full of learning moments for both Muslim kids and kids of all backgrounds!⠀
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The book is chock full of Islamic information, Quranic phrases like Bismillah AlRahman AlRaheem, and real Mosque references like prayer mats, beads, the shoe area, prayer positions like the salam to the angels, and even the cute giggles of children echoing all over as they play. ⠀
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I loved how the book was so unapologetically Muslim and I felt heard and seen through its beautiful pages. My kids also absolutely loved it and connected to it, and I was especially excited to read it to my three year old, who hasn’t been able to experience the Mosque like her older siblings (due to covid).⠀
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The book contains references and images to everything related to Mosques, and you can feel that the author is writing from her own experience and that the book is a beautiful love letter to Mosques❤️ I read on her page that she wrote it after the New Zealand Mosque attack, to bring awareness on what Mosques are and how we Muslims feel about them, and I feel like she definitely did justice to that! ⠀
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Honestly I can’t even do it justice in my review- there is just so much to see in this book!

Perfect for Ramadan!!⠀
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I recommend gifting a copy to local libraries, schools, and friends!

[Angela]

IN MY MOSQUE is a must for a culturally responsive Social Studies curriculum. Author M.O. Yuskel walks readers through routines and practices of worship, as well as showing how the space is important to families and communities. I also love that the text emphasizes "All are welcome, in my mosque," and ends by placing a mosque in the wider context of churches, synagogues, temples, and other places of worship. Illustrator Hatem Aly shows adults and kids of all colors, sizes, and abilities. He also does a beautiful job of incorporating Islamic motifs (such as geometric designs and mosaics) and Arabic-style calligraphy throughout the book, from endpapers to interior spreads. This book would be a fantastic edition to any classroom bookshelf--- both affirming Muslim students' identities and cultural practices, and helping other students see a mosque as a welcoming and inclusive space.

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous read! There was so much love put into both writing and illustrating this book. It's a tribute to all the joy the children in the book find in their mosque: connection to family, caring for others, peace, and more. M.O. Yuksel's language is so lovely, for example: "In my mosque, aunties' hijabs sway, like a sea of flowers as we move through our prayers." Not only is the imagery in the text beautiful, but the colorful art by Hatem Aly is a perfect compliment. My favorite illustration is the page filled with a detailed mosaic, a smiling child at the center. It's a wonderful selection for families that want to learn more about mosques (backmatter is very helpful!), or families that want their children to see their own experiences reflected on the page.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

The primary word that arises for me when I think about this book is "breathtaking." Both the language and the illustrations create feelings of immense joy and peace. The Islamic faith is so often misrepresented and weaponized in the United States. IN MY MOSQUE provides a necessary and compassionate exploration into the truth of Islam, as well as glimpses into the inside of actual mosques. I was absolutely transported when I read I read this book, and my interest in visiting mosques and learning more has definitely increased. If that is true for me as an adult, imagine how it will be for children!

This is a picture book that is elevated to magic by the perfect pairing between the gorgeous text and jaw-dropping illustrations. I could honestly live inside this book. :-) A MUST read!

[Karla Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK! I was immediately pulled into its magic from the very first page. The text takes readers on a lovely journey into the emotional space of a mosque while the illustrations paint a picture so vivid we cannot help but feel deeply immersed in the experience. Not only do you come away feeling as if you have found a special place to call "home" but readers will deepen their knowledge and understanding of Mosques and the various cultural and faith-based elements they encompass. The back matter is excellent and provides plenty of opportunities to continue exploring the thematic elements presented in the book. A must read!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and straight-forward, informative text, this picture book is a must-read, no matter what religion you may (or may not!) be connected. I related to similarities in my own religious upbringing in the church while also learning about differences of growing up in a mosque. To quote Yuksel's inspiring text, "I understand- we are all connected and come from the same Creator. " Absolutely beautiful, must-read book.

[Tootie Nienow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book is stunning. The black against that beautiful blue is so comforting and welcoming. The feel of this story is soothing. It is a great entrance into a new, unfamiliar religion. Sometimes kids may think their friends religions are weird and this book will help children realize all religions are similar and have beauty at their core. I would love to add this to a collection of picture books that teach the basics of various religions.

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in simple, lyrical prose accompanied by vibrant, lively illustrations, IN MY MOSQUE is a joyful celebration of diversity and fellowship. The book ends with a welcome reminder of the common hopes of worshipers of all religions, and a note that "you are welcome in my mosque." Back matter gives fascinating information on mosques throughout the world.