Lovely picture book, starring a little girl with a big imagination. Wholly positive and loving depiction of Muslim culture, tolerant families, and joyful colors. ( )

Picture Book
2018

This book is beautifully illustrated, the vibrant colors - with just the right sheen - really add to the storytelling. In it, we meet a young girl whose name is not given. Right from the beginning there is a picture of her and her mother, where her mother is straightening her scarf. The girl tells us that her mother's scarf is a khimar and that her mother dons one every day before leaving the house. She loves her mommy's khimar's and lists off several of the colors and textures that she sees. Sometimes her mommy lets her wear one of her scarves. The girl loves when this happens and feels very special. She describes how close she feels to her mother, even when she's away, because she can smell the beauty products she uses and the scent of her favorite dessert. Throughout the book we are shown that while not all of her family members wear khimars, or even practice the same religion, they are still family and love each other regardless.

Mommy's Khimar is a book that I would love to have in my classroom, library, or would easily suggest to patrons. It teaches of love, support, family, acceptance, and imagination as well. I chose it because although the girl talks primarily about her mother, we see her father, her grandmother, and a younger sibling. The discussion of the mother/daughter bond is particularly strong. I think this is a great book to illustrate that people from all cultural backgrounds have strong family ties and reasons why they love their mom. It also helps to shine a light on the fact that wearing a khimar or hijab doesn't make you "other" it's a cultural tradition, but that there are similarities there as well. If we teach children at a young age that our differences are to be celebrated and don't make us bad, it lends to a more compassionate and kind adult.

When reading this book aloud, I think it would be fun to have scarves - and if possible - actual khimars for children to wear while the story is being told. Perhaps someone who would normally wear a hijab or khimar could come in and show the different ways to wear or style it.

The colors in this story are so beautiful and vibrant. Love! ( )

4.5 stars

4.0 stars for the text--a very very sweet celebration of the khimar--and 5.0 stars for the absolutely gorgeous illustrations. The pictures are so bright and warm and colorful, I absolutely fell in love with Ebony Glenn's style. I can't wait to see what she does next. ( )

Top 100 Pick because:

From Salaam Reads, is a beautiful story of a girl describing something normal to her. Her mother's khimar is fascinating to her, not something to be self-conscious of or thought of as unusual. The illustrations are eye-catching, with bold and rich blues, yellows, and pastels that lighten the story with a freshness and joy. It portrays a little Muslim girl, and her African-American Muslim family, as one to be celebrated and representing a community that is rarely, if ever, shown (or at least portrayed in a positive and dynamic light). It exudes joy, love, and life.
I did not previously know many Muslim women call headscarves 'Khimar's' while westerners might know them only as Hijabs.
Books that make me learn, especially when I don't think about it, are the best. I love the depiction of how she sees her mother. ( )