Home»Faith

12 Books for Children Written by Black Muslim Authors

By

I often get disappointed when it’s Black History Month and Islamic schools and mosques ignore it. Many will shrug it off and not address the significance of this month because they don’t know how to celebrate it with young children.
As an educator and mother myself, celebrating Black History Month with young children is important in order to help raise cultural awareness, encourage diversity and honor African-American heroes.
Here are some great children books written by Black Muslim authors. Check them out, add them to your children’s library or gift them to your local schools and public libraries and mosques.

1. The Princess And The Good Deed

1
Written by Umm Juwayriyah, it was co-authored by her daughter, Juwayriyah Ayed, who was 12 at the time.
According to Umm Juwayriyah, “‘The Princess and The Good Deed’ is an Islamic fairy tale that teaches about animal rights in Islam.”
She said, “We also wrote the book to be a reminder to Muslim girls that they too are princesses and hold a special place in this world when they have good behavior and good manners.”

2. Hind’s Hands: A Story about Autism

2
This book is also written by Umm Juwayriyah and her daughter — who was 11 at the time.
This children’s book helps to raise autism awareness in the Muslim American community.

3. Wahid And His Special Friend

3
“Wahid and His Special Friend” is written by Robyn Saleem-Abdusamad. It’s a rhyming book for children ages zero to seven.

4. You Are Beautiful

4
This book is also written by Robyn Saleem-Abdusamad and is about two sisters who encounter racial prejudice.

5. Adam To Zamzam And Fun In The Sun

5
This is an Islamic phonics readers series that is set to be published in the next couple of months. The stories are written by Jamila Alqarnain and Karemah Alhark.
Here’s how it’s described on their Launchgood page: “Our readers are designed to give children a strong phonetic foundation. The stories are written with the Muslim child in mind, full of fun stories that encourage good character, morals and problem solving from an Islamic point of view.”

6. Ngozi’s Little Brown Princess Tea Party

teaparty
Written by Asiyah Muhsin-Thomas and Salaam Waajid Thomas, this is part of a series featuring the Royal Brown Girls, Ngozi, Aisha, Dhalia, Brooklyn and Nina. There’s also a coloring book you can purchase along with it!

7. Silly Monkey

7
“Silly Monkey” is a fun book for toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children, written by Rhoda Sye.
It encourages positive reinforcement and good behavior, according to its description on Amazon.

8. Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up To Become Malcolm X

8
This is a children’s book written by Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter.
It’s an amazing resource to introduce the great, influential figure to children.

9. The Dino Flu

9
“The Dino Flu” is a wonderful children’s book written by Sahar Abdulaziz about a sick dinosaur. It’s also available on Kindle!

10. Hannah Habibi Learns About Modesty

10
This book is about a young girl who wears hijab for the first time. It’s written by Janette Grant.

11. Big Words To Little Me: Advice To The Younger Self

11
“Big Words to Little Me” by Sakina Ibrahim has tips for young women to help them become confident adults.

12. Crown ‘N’ Glory

12
This coloring book by Anika Sabree will be available soon for purchase. This fun coloring book is for adults and children. Amazing. Click here for a free sample coloring page.
—