Trains & Trainers by Sarah Musa illustrated by Rania Hasan
This 36 page picture book about siblings, one with autism, is much needed in the Islamic fiction sphere to shine a light and bring awareness. My concern, though, which is a big one, is that no where in the story or backmatter or even dedication does it hint that the author has first had experience with an autistic individual. The lack of transparency makes it hard to feel at ease reading the story. Is it tokenism, is it assumption based, is it stereotypical, is it accurate? The take away message shouldn’t be affected, Allah swt has made us all unique and special, but when it states in the back matter so generically, to “ask an adult to help you find out more about autism,” it makes the book feel inauthentic. Now for all I know the author has an autistic child or sibling, but that is kind of the point, I don’t know, and because I don’t know, I don’t know if this book is valid. Literary wise the book is decent, there are heavy handed speeches from the mom, where it might have been nice to see the main character learn those same lessons on his own, but it is often the nature of Islamic fiction books, and this book handles it better than most. I did cringe at the illustrations with the children wearing trainers in the house. I know it is part of the plot, but even my kids noticed right away and felt it was off. Perhaps Muslims taking off their shoes at home is not as universal as it once was, and no it isn’t just the autistic child wearing shoes while sitting on the sofa.
The book starts with a young boy quietly turning on the TV as to not alert his older brother to what he is doing, the blaring music though betrays him, and Badr stands in front of the TV blocking Malik from seeing the outcome of Zymbot and Fungulga’s battle. In frustration he pushes his autistic, non verbal brother, which makes Badr cry and gets Malik a chat from his Mama.
The mom and sons then head to the store, but on the way there, they stop at a train crossing and watch the railcars pass by. At the store Malik wants to get a toy train, but Mama reminds him that a toy such as that will not last long in their house. Once again Malik feels his life is hindered by his brother. He says things in frustration that he doesn’t really mean, and regrets, but again gets him some guidance from his mother.
At home, his Mama prays and Malik contemplates what his Mama goes through. Badr, who often plays in his own way, then starts playing and pulls Malik into his fun too.
