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Muslim Child: Understanding Islam Through Stories and Poems
This insightful collection of stories and poems is a child-centered introduction to Islam. In one story, a boy feels guilty when he short-changes his prayer. In another story, a girl buys candy she can't eat because it contains pork by-products.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 26, 2025
Yes, the eight fictional accounts regarding Muslim life presented by Pakistani Canadian author Rukhsana Khan in her 1999 (and longer) picture book Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems (taking place in Canada, Pakistan, Nigeria, England, Saudi Arabia and the USA and all featuring children as main protagonists) have been decently readable and equally so educational, offering insight into the so-called five pillars of Islam (belief, prayer, fasting, charity and the required pilgrimage to Mecca) and with Khan's stories as well as her three poems also demonstrating that Islam is indeed a global religion.
Now with Rukhsana Khan's texts for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems generally speaking not ever being exaggeratedly didactic and Patty Gallinger's descriptively detailed, gloriously realistic and always visually respectful black-and-white accompanying artwork very nicely mirroring and reflecting Khan's words and of course also vice versa, I have indeed generally quite enjoyed the main storytelling body of Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems (albeit for me as an adult reader, there is perhaps trying just a wee bit of textual discomfort in so far as that I do think Rukhsana Khan is sometimes almost trying to prove how Islam as a religion trumps other beliefs, that for her only Islam, Christianity and Judaism seem to count and are acceptable, albeit and to tell the truth, my inner child has not been all that much bothered and also does not feel preached at regarding the eight presented accounts for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems, but that yes, the three poems are definitely just a wee bit one-sided and as such also a tad too preachy even for childhood reading me).
However and my general enjoyment of the eight presented stories in Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems notwithstanding (and that I also really like and appreciate the pronunciation guide at the back of Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems, the samosa recipe and the instructions on how to make an Eid card), Rukhsana Khan's included selections from the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad in Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems do become somewhat overwhelming (or at least they could become overwhelming and especially so for younger readers and/or listeners) and not to mention that while I personally have no issues at all with Khan in her preface to Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems calling Jesus Christ a prophet (and like he is in fact considered in Islam), I do fear that for some and maybe even for many conservative Christians, this could be a real bone of contention so to speak regarding Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems.
And well, and finally, I also need to point out that while Irfan Alli's sidebars in Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems about Islam as a religion and about Islamic culture are generally nicely enlightening (and with me in particular appreciating Alli pointing out that the Quran actually stipulates modest dress codes for both women and equally so for men), I do find it quite off-putting and in fact rather offensive for Irfan Alli to in one sidebar for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems categorically label Halloween as celebrating the powers of evil, as this at least in my humble opinion certainly sounds judgmental and as though Alli obviously considers all children and all families who dress up for and who celebrate Halloween as potentially depraved, as problematic at best (and that this attitude definitely grates on me and also lowers my rating for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems from the four stars I was originally considering to but three).
Now with Rukhsana Khan's texts for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems generally speaking not ever being exaggeratedly didactic and Patty Gallinger's descriptively detailed, gloriously realistic and always visually respectful black-and-white accompanying artwork very nicely mirroring and reflecting Khan's words and of course also vice versa, I have indeed generally quite enjoyed the main storytelling body of Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems (albeit for me as an adult reader, there is perhaps trying just a wee bit of textual discomfort in so far as that I do think Rukhsana Khan is sometimes almost trying to prove how Islam as a religion trumps other beliefs, that for her only Islam, Christianity and Judaism seem to count and are acceptable, albeit and to tell the truth, my inner child has not been all that much bothered and also does not feel preached at regarding the eight presented accounts for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems, but that yes, the three poems are definitely just a wee bit one-sided and as such also a tad too preachy even for childhood reading me).
However and my general enjoyment of the eight presented stories in Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems notwithstanding (and that I also really like and appreciate the pronunciation guide at the back of Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems, the samosa recipe and the instructions on how to make an Eid card), Rukhsana Khan's included selections from the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad in Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems do become somewhat overwhelming (or at least they could become overwhelming and especially so for younger readers and/or listeners) and not to mention that while I personally have no issues at all with Khan in her preface to Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems calling Jesus Christ a prophet (and like he is in fact considered in Islam), I do fear that for some and maybe even for many conservative Christians, this could be a real bone of contention so to speak regarding Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems.
And well, and finally, I also need to point out that while Irfan Alli's sidebars in Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems about Islam as a religion and about Islamic culture are generally nicely enlightening (and with me in particular appreciating Alli pointing out that the Quran actually stipulates modest dress codes for both women and equally so for men), I do find it quite off-putting and in fact rather offensive for Irfan Alli to in one sidebar for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems categorically label Halloween as celebrating the powers of evil, as this at least in my humble opinion certainly sounds judgmental and as though Alli obviously considers all children and all families who dress up for and who celebrate Halloween as potentially depraved, as problematic at best (and that this attitude definitely grates on me and also lowers my rating for Muslim Child: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems from the four stars I was originally considering to but three).
August 10, 2016
Cute kid's book that would be good for either Muslim or non Muslim children. My nephew liked the book too.
August 1, 2013
I read this to educate myself in Muslim culture and beliefs. I now realize there are similarities between Islam and Christian religions but there are also differences.
September 1, 2009
This book is collected stories and poems from different cultures about Muslim children. There is one craft and once recipe too. The illustrations are wonderful. I thought it was a book to teach non-Muslims about life as a Muslim child (not sure why I thought that) but it is really meant for Muslim children to better understand their own teachings. My only real issue with the book was that on the side bar are definitions and the author’s definition of Halloween is incorrect, although I am sure it is what Muslim children are taught. I feel that if you want an opportunity to educate people about your religion that you should probably not misrepresent another’s.
February 13, 2022
I learned a lot about being Muslim and their way of living life (islam) It’s always great to read books that’s written for kids and adults. I definitely think that adults can read this to. Very informative.
December 31, 2023
Beautiful collection, perfect for introducing myself and my kids to another culture as broad and varied as it is.
October 20, 2014
THE BLACK GHOST
This is a fictional story about a Muslim boy named Nabeel and his new friend Danny's first encounter with Nabeel's mother, who wears a veil. Danny is afraid when he sees Nabeel's mother and thinks she is a black ghost, but eventually realizes that she is actually a really kind person. The main idea centers around accepting other's differences and realizing that you don't have to be afraid of others just because they're different. This text is a great way to to teach about diversity. The story uses authentic Arabic text which helps to make the characters more genuine. This story also allows students to interact with the text because it will spark a lot of questions and the pictures allow the students to see what Nabeel's mother looked liked and make their own guesses about the text before you even read the story. The author belongs to the cultural group she is writing about, but the illustrator does not. The author does a great job incorporating genuine text such as the word niqab to describe Nabeel's mother's veil and the illustrator did a great job depicting the characters realistically. This story teaches students that differences on the outside does not affect who someone is on the inside.
MUSLIM CHILD
The purpose of this text is to show that their is diversity within culture. The characters are the narrator and an unnamed Muslim child. This poem shows that there is often misunderstanding, even between people of the same culture. In a classroom setting this poem can be used to help students find rhyming words. The text allows students to relate the words to themselves. For example when the poem says, "My skin can be black as molasses or as pink as the blush on a rose... and every shade in between," it gives students the opportunity to think about themselves and what color they may be. The poem does not have an illustrator, but the author does belong to the culture she writes about. She did a great job at giving concrete examples that children can easily relate to. These examples give upper and lower extremes to teach about the importance of accepting differences even among those who share your culture. "I'll try to understand you, if you try to understand me."
This is a fictional story about a Muslim boy named Nabeel and his new friend Danny's first encounter with Nabeel's mother, who wears a veil. Danny is afraid when he sees Nabeel's mother and thinks she is a black ghost, but eventually realizes that she is actually a really kind person. The main idea centers around accepting other's differences and realizing that you don't have to be afraid of others just because they're different. This text is a great way to to teach about diversity. The story uses authentic Arabic text which helps to make the characters more genuine. This story also allows students to interact with the text because it will spark a lot of questions and the pictures allow the students to see what Nabeel's mother looked liked and make their own guesses about the text before you even read the story. The author belongs to the cultural group she is writing about, but the illustrator does not. The author does a great job incorporating genuine text such as the word niqab to describe Nabeel's mother's veil and the illustrator did a great job depicting the characters realistically. This story teaches students that differences on the outside does not affect who someone is on the inside.
MUSLIM CHILD
The purpose of this text is to show that their is diversity within culture. The characters are the narrator and an unnamed Muslim child. This poem shows that there is often misunderstanding, even between people of the same culture. In a classroom setting this poem can be used to help students find rhyming words. The text allows students to relate the words to themselves. For example when the poem says, "My skin can be black as molasses or as pink as the blush on a rose... and every shade in between," it gives students the opportunity to think about themselves and what color they may be. The poem does not have an illustrator, but the author does belong to the culture she writes about. She did a great job at giving concrete examples that children can easily relate to. These examples give upper and lower extremes to teach about the importance of accepting differences even among those who share your culture. "I'll try to understand you, if you try to understand me."
December 30, 2025
This book may be written for young people, but I think it is a perfect introduction to the culture of Muslim students for any educator who may not be Muslim, but wants to understand the religion and the culture better to connect with Muslim students.
It's a quick read too. I lived in a majority Muslim culture for 12 years and this book explained things I observed and didn't know the words for (wudu, for example). I think this book wonderfully explains the beauty of Islam to Western people who fear it due to news propaganda.
I agree with the other reviewer that talking about someone else's culture in discussing Halloween seemed inappropriate in this book, and came across as a cultural 'put down.' I believe though that the author discussed Halloween solely so people could understand why Muslim kids don't participate.
Here's the author with more on the book:
https://rukhsanakhan.com/muslim-child/
It's a quick read too. I lived in a majority Muslim culture for 12 years and this book explained things I observed and didn't know the words for (wudu, for example). I think this book wonderfully explains the beauty of Islam to Western people who fear it due to news propaganda.
I agree with the other reviewer that talking about someone else's culture in discussing Halloween seemed inappropriate in this book, and came across as a cultural 'put down.' I believe though that the author discussed Halloween solely so people could understand why Muslim kids don't participate.
Here's the author with more on the book:
https://rukhsanakhan.com/muslim-child/
August 4, 2011
Age:
Grades 9-YA
Genre:
Informational
Diversity:
Islam, Middle East, Asian, European Muslims.
Illustrations:
Family illustrations, religious symbols.
Personal response:
I learned about how Muslim American families celebrate their faith and adapt it in their everyday lives.
Curricular or programming connections:
Good lesson planner for both libraries and classrooms. Social studies lessons.
Grades 9-YA
Genre:
Informational
Diversity:
Islam, Middle East, Asian, European Muslims.
Illustrations:
Family illustrations, religious symbols.
Personal response:
I learned about how Muslim American families celebrate their faith and adapt it in their everyday lives.
Curricular or programming connections:
Good lesson planner for both libraries and classrooms. Social studies lessons.
April 1, 2013
Great book for children (and adults!) to understand what it's like to be Muslim. Written in a very accessible way.
November 30, 2013
This book has a great teacher's resource guide from the author: http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/teachergu... 0Teacher%27s%20Guide.PDF
Read
January 25, 2015some lines about his life
May 2, 2017
This was a great book for providing a kid's eye view of the various practices, traditions, and beliefs of members of the Islamic faith. Great stories to read to a young child - they touch on a lot of universal truths and situations that any kid would recognize, but presented from the perspective of Muslim children. Generally pretty light, entertaining stories of kids' adventures in daily life. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews