Our World: Pakistan by Rumaisa Bilal illustrated by Nez Riaz
This 20 page board book doesn’t come out for a few months, but it really is adorable, and I love that it centers Islam, so I’m putting it on your radar hoping you might preorder to show your support. This ever growing series highlights different countries by OWN voice authors, focuses on simple text, cultural insight, linguistic samples, and bright illustrations. The book follows a little girl from morning to bedtime and then highlights parts of the unique cultural aspects shared in the back-ish matter.
The book starts with Subah Bakhair, good morning, written in Urdu and English, before AllahuAkbar and prayers are made. Then it is time to get dressed and deciding what to wear. Little brother is in a swinging cradle, and paratha and lassi are shared with family. The little protagonist then heads on the driverless orange trains with her Dada, grandfather, to do some shopping, concluding with bedtime du’aas.
Board books are a little tricky for me as if they are more than just a few words on a very basic topic, they seem to be really jumpy or really wordy. If they manage to not have long blocks of text, and stay on the intended audience’s level, they seem to be random in what is included. This book is no exception. I am not sure how the words were chosen to include in Urdu script, why some words are given for specific things like shalwar kameez, but not for the joolah. Not sure why the bathroom, getting ready for bed scene is included, and why lota is highlighted in the end, either. I’m sure to someone else it seems logical, there is nothing “wrong” with it, it just seemed a little disjointed from the rest of the inclusions.
I love the illustrations, they are engaging and joyful. Desis have a decent amount of rep in children’s books, but a board book dedicated just to Pakistan widely available here in the west, that is OWN voice, features Islam, and well done, really is delightful to see, alhumdulillah.
You can preorder your copy here
