Reviewed by Mahasin
Review Source: Hijabi Librarians
Book Author: Hena Khan
“Cone is the tip of the minaret so tall. I hear soft echoes of the prayer call,” begins this charming picture book which explores a variety of everyday shapes and angles, as experienced by Muslims of diverse skin tones, who are depicted living, playing, and worshiping together.
Written and illustrated by the author and illustrator duo responsible for Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors (2012), the colorful and multidimensional images feature mixed media illustrations in deep hues and majestic colors. Amini brings her distinctive style to the work, which includes traditional Islamic geometric patterns and sacred calligraphy. While most of the shapes highlighted are easily detected, a few require a keen eye or re-positioning of the page to see them clearly. Some structures represented within the work are clearly identified, while the architectural style of others suggests that the setting could be in any Muslim community across the globe.
Amini takes care to give detail to demonstrate the ethnic diversity of Muslims: a dark-brown complexioned woman, who appears to be of African descent, has neat cornrows with traditional hair accessories, while some light-brown complexioned women have intricate henna markings on their hands and faces. These subtle cues, as well as the different styles of head coverings worn by the men and women in the book, deftly acknowledge the myriad Muslim cultures that exist. Continue reading.
Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets by Hena Khan
Published by Chronicle Books on April 10, 2018
Genres: Muslim
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Early Childhood, Grade K, Grades 1-2
ISBN: 9781452155722
Review Source: Hijabi Librarians
Also by this author: Amina's Voice, More to the Story, Zain's Super Friday
Publisher's Synopsis: Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets — Islamic book for kids
"A beautiful picture book that simultaneously explores shapes, Islam, and the cultures of the Muslim people." — Kirkus Reviews
Toddler book of shapes and Islamic traditions: From a crescent moon to a square garden to an octagonal fountain, this breathtaking picture book celebrates the shapes—and traditions—of the Muslim world.
Toddler book by author Hena Khan: Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets is equally at home in a classroom reading circle and on a parent's lap being read to a child.
If you and your child like books such as Lailah’s Lunchbox, Numbers Colors Shapes, or The Name Jar, you will love Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets.
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