The Story of Hajj and Eid Al-Adha by Humera Malik illstrated by Basmah Syadza

This early chapter book discusses some of the key parts of Hajj and Eid al-Adha in a fictionalized manner.  A young girl, Sumayyah, spending the weekend with her grandparents finds an old photo album of their trip to Hajj, and bed time, walks to the park, and baking muffins, all provide great opportunities for grandma and grandpa to share their experience, the Islamic concepts, and the historical roots of this pillar of Islam.  The book is presented in a gentle way with concepts explained in broad terms, some related to experiences Sumayyah can relate to, and kept light and age appropriate.  The book is not particularly detailed, or even as informative as many picture books, but allows early independent readers to emerge themselves in the story, pick up on familiar and new facts, and hopefully gain a bit of an overview about Hajj and Eid al Adha.  Their isn’t a plot, it is characters and their dialogue providing a framing for the concepts to be shared.  The illustrations are sweet and make it accessible to the target audience, and while the author’s note acknowledges that further information can and should be sought from people of knowledge.  I really wish this book would have sources or a scholars approval, or where to go for more information.  Overall, a good book for our kids, and an easy read that they will benefit from, alhumdulillah.

The book starts with establishing the characters, the photo album, and the curiosity surrounding it all.  There are nine chapters in the book: The Photo Album, Prophet Ibrahim, Ihram, Tawaf, Sayy, Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, and The Ka’bah.  The titles really outline the book and what it covers.  The rituals are explained and the historical concept given and often linked to something Sumayyah and her grandparents are doing.  For example, Sumayyah is inspired by Hajarah’s bravery running between As-Safah and Al-Marwah and uses that to fuel her determination to tackle the zip line at the park.

I enjoyed the approach to the content, it doesn’t just list everything as steps or facts.  The history, the acts of hajj, blend together to make it read like a story, even with the predictable framing of teaching the character to teach the reader.  My 8 year old knows a lot of the facts and details, but could chat about them a bit more after reading this book, alhumdulillah.