by Jamila Thompkins-Bigelow
illustrated by Hatem Aly
 
Muhammad has just turned seven and Daddy has given him his first ever gold stitched, fuzzy patterned, salat rug. Rug in hand, Muhammad launches himself in to the next day, ready to carry out all five of his prayer times. Daddy is bold and brave enough to do his salat wherever he is, often parking up his ice cream van and praying alongside it, calmly ignoring the sometimes unkind words of passer-bys. But, at school, Muhammad’s not so sure he has the same nerve. Can he summon up the confidence to ask his class teacher for help? 
 
A super, honest affirmation of a Muslim identity.  We loved the representation of Dad, a proud Muslim, who holds a joy inside him which is “bigger than him. It’s a wide, gap-toothed smile and a deep rumbling laugh that shakes the dinner table kind of joy”.  
 
‘I love how this book shows celebration in religion that isn’t Christian in a children’s book. I don’t think there is enough of these types of books in circulation’ (Isak, young Letterbox Library reviewer). By a West African Muslim author. Age 4-8, Hardback 31pp