Gates and Tales by Sally Zaki illustrated by Arwa Ali
This 34 page picture book is adorably illustrated as it focuses on the gates leading to Masjid Al-Aqsa and sprinkles in culture, sights, and history about Palestine along the way. I love the concept, it is unique, and I love that there are maps throughout of the masjid compound. I truly learned a lot even though it is for early readers, naturally I wish there was a scannable QR code to learn more, but as an adult, with my kids, or in a classroom it would not be hard to search up Bab Al-Amud, Qubbat Al-Sakhra, Bab Al-Sahira, Salah Al-Din, Masjid Al-Qibli, Bab Al-Khalil, Al-Quds Citadel, Qaitbay’s Fountain, Bab Al-Asbat, or Qubbat Al-Silsilah. Islam is also woven in, not just in the architecture or history, but also in mentioning the sunnah of fasting on Thursdays, quoting an ayat from the Quran in the text, and the kids meeting up to pray. The writing isn’t super great, it breaks down the fourth wall regularly, calling the readers “friends” and asking them to find things in the illustrations, their missing friends, and about foods and the flags of their country. I’m not sure why the book hopes the readers are “from countries surrounding Palestine,” I found that a little off putting, and I’m not sure why we are supposed to memories the “gates by heart,” or how at the end we are now “victorious heroes.” Even the defined words at the end, are a bit haphazard: za’atar, falafel and sido, being the only words highlighted, in a book with many Arabic words present. Presumably the reader found all the friends so they did reunite, it seemed to kind of falter, I thought they would show something they all love, or share some snacks, but the book, just kind of ended. I like that the book is joyful and upbeat, I do appreciate that the last lines do mention that “Palestine is occupied today. One day, insha’Allah, it’ll be free,” inshaAllah, inshaAllah, inshaAllah.
The book starts with Nidal introducing himself to the reader and letting you know he is going to take you on a special journey through four different gates. He then asks the reader if they know where we are, before showing us Palestine on the globe. He is going to “meet his pals at Masjid Al-Aqsa nestled east of the Old City of Al-Quds and includes the entire area inside the wall surrounding the Masjid.” I love that it explains the area within the walls and the map on the opposite page is helpful.
His mom has prepared him some snacks to share with his pals, and he puts on his Palestinian flag backpack before heading off. He goes through Victory Gate. Then his friend Aisha takes over and tells what gate she is entering through, shares details about the flower carved at Bab Al-Shira, and that her Sido would tell her about Salah Al-Din when they walked down Salah Al-Din street together to get to Masjid Al-Qibli, with its gray dome. Khaled and Jihad follow the same format and the book ends with the kids sitting in front of the Dome of the Rock asking what gate the reader will come through.
I purchased my copy from Crescent Moon Bookstore here and if you use code ISL at checkout you will save 10%.
