Books:
IN MY MOSQUE
HarperCollins, March 23, 2021
"No matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone is welcome here. From grandmothers reading lines of the Qur’an and the imam telling stories of living as one, to meeting new friends and learning to help others, mosques are centers for friendship, community, and love.
M. O. Yuksel’s beautiful text celebrates the joys and traditions found in every mosque around the world and is brought to life with stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly (Yasmin series, The Proudest Blue, The Inquisitor’s Tale). The book also includes backmatter with an author’s note, a glossary, and more information about many historical and significant mosques around the world." - HarperCollins Publisher
In My Mosque provides a window into a world readers may not be familiar with and mirrors for those who will delight in seeing their faith and cultures represented in this beautiful book. A great conversation starter in the home and classroom.
Awards & Honors:
American Library Association 2022 Notable Children's Books
School Library Journal Best Book of 2021
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 2022 Best Choice
Notable Books for a Global Society
Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
Texas Library Association Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award
Ontario Library Association Best Bets Top Ten List
Wisconsin State Reading Association’s 2022 Picture This Selection
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Selection
New York Public Library 2021 Summer Recommended Reading List Pick
I'm Your Neighbor Books 2022 Community Book Award
Anna Dewdney Honor Book
Undies Case Cover Award
2022 English Association Nonfiction Picture Book Award
Virginia Readers' Choice Award
Reviews:
* "This marvelous, welcoming book on mosques, Muslims, and Islam is a must, offering foundational knowledge on the world’s second-largest religion." - School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
* "This personable, sensory love letter to a range of children’s mosque experiences will engage new learners and resonate with those already familiar." - Publisher's Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
* “Both a celebration of and an introduction to the mosque. Joyful characters describe what happens in simple, poetic language.” - Kirkus Review
* "In My Mosque draws readers into the Muslim house of worship to show how it is so much more than a place to pray. . . Aly’s illustrations echo the warmth of Yuksel’s text, depicting loving, happy communities, rich in diversity of all sorts. The striking use of geometric patterns found in Islamic art and architecture might inspire classroom art projects to complement a narrative study of houses of worship." - Booklist Review
* "Young readers are welcomed to a mosque brimming with faithful family, friends, and community. Both text and art convey some tenets of Islam and emphasize the mosque's role as a place for faith and celebration." - The Horn Book Review
IN MY MOSQUE featured in:
M. O. Yuksel’s beautiful text celebrates the joys and traditions found in every mosque around the world and is brought to life with stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly (Yasmin series, The Proudest Blue, The Inquisitor’s Tale). The book also includes backmatter with an author’s note, a glossary, and more information about many historical and significant mosques around the world." - HarperCollins Publisher
In My Mosque provides a window into a world readers may not be familiar with and mirrors for those who will delight in seeing their faith and cultures represented in this beautiful book. A great conversation starter in the home and classroom.
Awards & Honors:
American Library Association 2022 Notable Children's Books
School Library Journal Best Book of 2021
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 2022 Best Choice
Notable Books for a Global Society
Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
Texas Library Association Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award
Ontario Library Association Best Bets Top Ten List
Wisconsin State Reading Association’s 2022 Picture This Selection
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Selection
New York Public Library 2021 Summer Recommended Reading List Pick
I'm Your Neighbor Books 2022 Community Book Award
Anna Dewdney Honor Book
Undies Case Cover Award
2022 English Association Nonfiction Picture Book Award
Virginia Readers' Choice Award
Reviews:
* "This marvelous, welcoming book on mosques, Muslims, and Islam is a must, offering foundational knowledge on the world’s second-largest religion." - School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
* "This personable, sensory love letter to a range of children’s mosque experiences will engage new learners and resonate with those already familiar." - Publisher's Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
* “Both a celebration of and an introduction to the mosque. Joyful characters describe what happens in simple, poetic language.” - Kirkus Review
* "In My Mosque draws readers into the Muslim house of worship to show how it is so much more than a place to pray. . . Aly’s illustrations echo the warmth of Yuksel’s text, depicting loving, happy communities, rich in diversity of all sorts. The striking use of geometric patterns found in Islamic art and architecture might inspire classroom art projects to complement a narrative study of houses of worship." - Booklist Review
* "Young readers are welcomed to a mosque brimming with faithful family, friends, and community. Both text and art convey some tenets of Islam and emphasize the mosque's role as a place for faith and celebration." - The Horn Book Review
IN MY MOSQUE featured in:
- USA TODAY "9 Creative Ways to Celebrate Ramadan with Kids"
- PBS.org "Children's Books by Arab American Authors and Illustrators" roundup
- Bookriot's "7 of the Best Picture Books About Eid"
- Chicago Parent's "8 Children's Books You Can Read This Ramadan"
- The Horn Book Guide's Book Bundle "Welcome"
ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri & the World's Oldest University
HarperCollins, March 1, 2022
One Wish is a picture book biography about Fatima al-Fihri, a 9th-century woman who pioneered the oldest university in the world in Fez, Morocco. Illustrated by Mariam Quraishi, One Wish is available for preorder now.
"Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors.
As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima’s one wish—her school—served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today!
With lyrical text by M. O. Yuksel and stunning illustrations by Mariam Quraishi, this life portrait of an extraordinary Muslim woman shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams and how we all have the power to change the world for the better." - HarperCollins Publisher
Reviews:
"Who could not love a book about a girl whose first spoken word was “read”? Add this biography to any collection looking to be well rounded when it comes to women’s history." - School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
"An inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge. Quraishi’s transporting gouache-and-watercolor illustrations furnish a nuanced portrayal of the early medieval Arab world." - Kirkus Reviews
"Advocating for persistence and education, this picture book adroitly demonstrates how al-Fihri’s Muslim faith inspired her community care." - Publishers Weekly
"A welcome story that emphasizes the intellectual foundations of Islamic North Africa and the importance of charitable work that plants seeds for subsequent generations." - The HornBook
A HornBook selection for "Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month 2022"
ONE WISH featured in:
More Books Coming Soon:
RAMADAN KAREEM
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
HarperCollins, 2024
SAMI'S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story
Illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay
Charlesbridge, 2024
"Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors.
As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima’s one wish—her school—served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today!
With lyrical text by M. O. Yuksel and stunning illustrations by Mariam Quraishi, this life portrait of an extraordinary Muslim woman shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams and how we all have the power to change the world for the better." - HarperCollins Publisher
Reviews:
"Who could not love a book about a girl whose first spoken word was “read”? Add this biography to any collection looking to be well rounded when it comes to women’s history." - School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
"An inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge. Quraishi’s transporting gouache-and-watercolor illustrations furnish a nuanced portrayal of the early medieval Arab world." - Kirkus Reviews
"Advocating for persistence and education, this picture book adroitly demonstrates how al-Fihri’s Muslim faith inspired her community care." - Publishers Weekly
"A welcome story that emphasizes the intellectual foundations of Islamic North Africa and the importance of charitable work that plants seeds for subsequent generations." - The HornBook
A HornBook selection for "Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month 2022"
ONE WISH featured in:
- The Horn Book Magazine: "Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month 2022"
- Kirkus Magazine: "6 Children's Books That Illuminate Women's History"
- BookPage Magazine: "Uplifting Picture Books for Women's History Month," and "Tidal Forces: Get Inspired by Three Women Who Changed the World by Helping Others"
More Books Coming Soon:
RAMADAN KAREEM
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
HarperCollins, 2024
SAMI'S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story
Illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay
Charlesbridge, 2024
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