I Remember . . . : A Recognition of Muslim Loyalty and Sacrifice in WWI

by Maidah Ahmad, Kristina Swarner (Illustrator), Kube Publishing (Creator)

This book is a letter between a Muslim grandchild to his/her war hero great-grandpa to reassure him that his story, his bravery, and his memory have not been forgotten. Through the eyes of an innocent child we are reminded that, despite all our differences, people from across the world have a shared history and there are more ties that bind us together than separate us. 

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2023

Reviews

[Barbara]

This picture book covering a topic rarely discussed in children's literature is a 3.5 for me. One of the benefits of reading is learning about topics or aspects of certain topics that are unfamiliar, hidden or ignored for one reason or another. This picture book is an example of that, opening many eyes, including mine, to the role of Indian Muslims during WWI, something about which I knew very little. While history books, films, and documentaries often recount various battles and the number of casualties, there is little acknowledgement of the toll war takes on those on the home front, even generations removed from the individual who went to war. Undoubtedly drawing on the family stories told about her great-grandfather, who served during WWI, a young girl writes a letter to him in which she attempts to satisfy her curiosity about what life was like for him. The author effectively mimics the thoughts and questions of a girl, maybe about ten or eleven, as she wonders about how his family reacted when he left home, what comfort he took from drinking tea when he was cold, whether he shared his food with others, if he learned any other languages, how effective his home remedies were for his injuries, and ultimately, what comfort he took from the recitation of words of faith while he was dying. Although his great-granddaughter will receive no answers to her questions that increase in intensity over the course of the picture book, it's clear that this man and his ultimate sacrifice have not been forgotten. Nor should they. The pages featuring the great-granddaughter show her thoughtful posture as she pens her letter, and the artwork featuring her great-grandfather, a man she never got to meet, is filled with muted colors, browns, greens, and expressive faces as well as scenes of shared pleasure and uncountable losses. The back matter provides statistics about the role of Muslims during that war as well as a glossary of unfamiliar terms and interesting asides about the need to accommodate for dietary and religious needs during the war and the various contents of Princess Mary Gift Boxes that were distributed to the soldiers fighting on the ground during what is known as the Great War. As with similar stories of loss, readers will finish this book solemnly, perhaps prompted to consider all those lives and dreams cut short while considering whether such sacrifices are worth it. Teachers using this picture book will want to provide some historical context for the times and the conflicts that led to WWI and the aftermath while discussing why so little is known about individuals such as this great-grandfather and others like him.

[Gifted]

I am in awe of this gorgeous and heartfelt children's book. The illustrations are subtle and elegant, yet so suitable for this genre, age group, and content within this magical book. This is a must-buy! After reading this with my class, my students were so captivated and kept asking more questions. We learned so much about Muslim sacrifices in WWI just from this short, sweet book. "I Remember", is a stunning children's book, absolutely perfect, in every aspect. This delightful book is a tranquil key which opens up to an alluring world of recognition of Muslim loyalty and their contribution to our extraordinary world. I have learned so much from this intriguing book, as my friends, family, and class, and am so proud of this author and illustrator, for educating the world on this unspoken topic. 5/5 stars.

[Abraham Ashraf]

I Remember is an illustrated book which focusses on the sacrifices of unsung heroes of World War I. The beautiful text & art highlight the everyday blessings which are easily taken for granted.

My daughter enjoyed reading this book & was a great source for her to further research some of the fun facts.

Great work by the author.

[Jbondandrews]

A beautiful book!