Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

📚 Salat in Secret 📚

Author: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Illustrator: Hatem Aly

Publisher: @penguinkids

Age: 4-8

Islamic Content: bravery and strength it takes to pray salah in public

Concerns: Includes Birthday celebration, see full review

Summary:

Muhammed turned 7 and he gets his very own prayer rug. Now that he is 7, he wants to pray all the 5 daily prayers but that comes with self conscious hurdles that must be over come. He adores the strength and bravery of his father when he prays on the sidewalk beside his ice cream truck while pedestrians look on.

Review:

Often times we look for books for our children to teach them exact steps on how do perform their prayers. This book, however, explores the overwhelming emotions that all Muslim carry with them when we have to perform our prayers in public spaces. It is such a powerful book in how little Muhammed finds strength and bravery in the beginning of his salah journey. Even as an adult reading this book, I felt extremely connected to the protagonist and I was reminded of the beginning of my prayer journey as I was trying to navigate my salah at work. For those wondering, the 1st page spread shows a scene of Muhammed's family celebrating his 7th birthday and he is gifted his own prayer rug. The rest of the book centers around his salah journey. No further mention of his birthday. I have to say anytime Jamilah Thomkins-Bigelow publishes a new book, her words have the intensity to rejuvenate my picture book passion all over again. Her natural talent to turn such a normal daily event into a powerful story is a rare skillful ability found in publishing.

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