Prophet Stories Series by Belkis Ibrahimhakkioglu
📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
Title: Prophet Stories Series
Author: Belkis Ibrahimhakkioglu
Illustrator: Cem Kiziltug
Publisher: Timas Kids @timaskids
Age: 5 and up
I do not recommend this series.
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Islamic Content: The stories of the prophets
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Concerns: Illustrations depicting the prophets, unseen, exaggerated content at times
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Summary/Review:
This book series includes stories of 11 prophets: Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Yusuf, Ayyub, Musa, Dawud, Sulayman, Yunus, Isa and Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all). This is the English version translated from its original, Turkish. Here are my issue with this particular series:
Depiction of most prophets, some faceless with beards, without. Seems that Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.s.) was the only one that hasn't been depicted at all while others have been shown faceless mostly, also with facial features at times.
Depictions of important historical figures such as Maryam (a.s.) Asiyah (a.s.) Hawwa (a.s.) etc.
Depictions of unseen (shaytan)
The overall style of illustrations is very abstract and creepy
There are some embellishments in details within the content however this one tops them all for me: the statement about the prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.s.) 'It was for this prophet that Allah created the entire universe in all its glory before.' This is why I look for sources to be included directly from the Quran and/or authentic sunnah even in children's books.
Compared to many translated books I have been exposed to, their translation isn't too bad. It's not perfect but better than what I have come across. My kids were very taken back by the illustrations, it caused them to ask worrisome questions. When we want to teach children the stories of the prophets we must be diligent in how we are presenting them to the age we are serving and how that will impact them and their Islam. Personally, I feel any Islamic books that creates imagery on the child's mind that would give indications of any prophets, sahabas, important historical Islamic individuals and the unseen is something that needs to be avoided (even if they are faceless). Allah knows best.
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