The Hundredth Name

by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim, Michael Hays (Illustrator)

This picture book for young readers, rich in the details of Middle Eastern village life, 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.

Salah and his camel, Qadiim, are constant companions. They work together, eat together, and sleep together. Salah is distressed, however, because his camel always seems so sad and downcast, hanging his head low. But in middle of one night, Salah remembers what his father has told him -- that while mankind knows only ninety-nine names for Allah, there are actually one hundred names. What if Qadiim, the camel, could learn the hundredth name? Under the stars Salah prays "to Allah with all his strength." The next day-- a seeming miracle! -- the camel Quadiim carries his head high with a most knowing look. Does Quadiim know the one hundredth name?

Beautifully written and complemented by illustrations that portray the lush, verdant landscape of the Middle East, from the banks of the Nile to its luminous starlit nights, here is a spiritual and touching story of an Islamic family.

Genres: Picture Books, Islam, Egypt

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Shulamith Levey Oppenheim is a published author of many Children's Books. Some of her writtings are Lily Cupboard, Hundredth Name, I Love You, Bunny Rabbit & Fish Prince and Other Stories: Mermen Folk Tales among many others.

Reviews

[Jessica Van Vleet · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son had to read this for his 2nd grade history class, so we read it together. It was actually pretty neat. I am glad that I read it. Very neat way to introduce children to other religions and cultures different from our own.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hundredth Name by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim Illustratons Michael Hays- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a young boy named Salah, his father and his favourite camel named Old Qadiim. The book helps to introduce other religions or cultures to students. Salah and his camel Qadiim do everything together. The two are together at farm work, at lunch and dinner. They sleep together. Salah notices his camel’s head is always bowed down, indicating that he is not happy. As Salah and his camel are friends, Salah becomes sad for his friend. His father always tells Salah "pray has great power. Here on the earth we poor mortals must live and die knowing only ninety-nine names of for Allah, our God, though there are in truth one hundred names, and the last one is the most important. But do we walk about dejected, head down, shuffling our feet.? No, we work, we eat, we care for each other. We pray. Salah ponders on his father’s words. Salah interprets that he can pray to Allah to inform Allah’s 100th name to Old Qadiim so that Old Qadiim can be happy. Salah lays down the prayer mat and prays to Allah to grant the 100th name of Allah to Old Qadiim. The following day, Salah finds that Allah has granted him the wish. He finds that Old Qadiim stands proud and tall. His head is held high. This raising the head and walking straight is the sign of wisdom on a man. Salah says to Old Qadiim that he must inform the 100th name of God to all camels so that all camels get wisdom and happiness. Coloured illustrations and double spread layout brings the text to life. Use of acrylics bring the colors to life with the cool warm colors of Islam and the dark night skies. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about the Muslim faith. Ever since man has believed in a god, man has tried to name the god. We often speak around the god's name, but never know it. I've kind of thought that cats held that secret, but, it turns out, so do camels.

The artwork is good, but the muted palette works against the text and even the details of the artwork itself.

[Candace Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite children's books.

[Lindsey LaMonica · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Hundredth Name" written by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim is a great children's book to help introduce other religions or cultures. The story follows Salah and his camel Qadiim. The two of them do everything together, work, eat, even sleep. When Salah notices his camel isn't very happy, Salah becomes sad as well. His father always tells Salah "pray has great power," and after one night Salah walks up to see Qadiim happy with his head raised high. The illustrations done by Michael Hays are amazing!! He uses a double spread layout to really bring the text to life. He also uses what looks like cross hatching but it could be the gessoed linen canvas. Hays uses acrylics which also really helps bring the colors to life with the cool warm colors of Islam and the dark night skies. Its a longer story but defiantly worth the read!

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool Islamic themed picture book. The story was fun, especially if you are an animal lover. And what child is not? I only wish that the pictures were not so dreary. Perhaps the illustrator was trying to create a mystical atmosphere by use of dark tones, but for me it failed.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Nice to have a good picture book go along with the nuts and bolts of Islam. I liked that the camel's name was Salah, or prayer, one of the five pillars of Islam.

[Buxmont Uu]

PBWR 6

[Sparrows at Home · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy named Salah shows great compassion toward his camel and does not want him to appear sad. He talks with his father, then prays, and the following morning the camel has his head held high, as if he knows something no one else does... Allah's hundredth name.

My daughter and I really liked this book, and it resembles a "just so" story of why the camel walks with his head held high.