Mommy's Khimar

A young Muslim girl explores her connection to faith and family through her mother's collection of khimars - traditional headscarves worn by many Muslim women. She tries on different khimars and imagines the possibilities each one brings to her day. The story follows her interactions with family members and friends as she wears her mother's yellow khimar. Through her experiences, readers see how the khimar connects her to her mother even when they're apart. The illustrations showcase the vibrant colors and patterns of various khimars while depicting everyday moments in an American Muslim household. The art emphasizes the warmth and joy present in the protagonist's family life. This picture book celebrates cultural identity, mother-daughter bonds, and the power of imagination through a child's perspective on a meaningful piece of religious and cultural attire. It presents Muslim family life as both spiritually rich and universally relatable.

Readers emphasize how the book portrays everyday Muslim American family life through a child's perspective. Parents and teachers note that it helps children see Islamic practices like wearing a khimar as normal parts of some families' routines. Liked: - Illustrations showing joy and warmth between family members - Representation of Black Muslim families - Simple, child-friendly explanations of cultural elements - Message of imagination and dress-up play Disliked: - Some non-Muslim readers mention wanting more direct explanation of what a khimar is - A few note it focuses more on play than religious significance Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (240+ ratings) Notable review quotes: "Finally, a book that shows Muslim kids just being kids" - Goodreads reviewer "The artwork captures such beautiful moments between mother and daughter" - Amazon reviewer "Would have appreciated a glossary for non-Muslim readers" - School librarian review

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🌟 A khimar is another name for a hijab or headscarf worn by some Muslim women, representing modesty and faith while allowing them to express their personal style through colors and patterns 👩‍👧 Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow drew inspiration for the book from her own experiences wearing a khimar and watching her young children play with her scarves 🎨 The book's vibrant illustrations by Ebony Glenn showcase the many ways a khimar can transform a child's imagination - from a superhero cape to royal garments 📚 This groundbreaking children's book was one of the first mainstream picture books to feature a Muslim American family in everyday situations, helping normalize Islamic culture in children's literature 🏆 The book received multiple honors, including being named a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book and appearing on the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People list in 2019