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NOOR NEEDS TO KNOW!

Name: NOOR NEEDS TO KNOW!
Author: Farhana Islam
ISBN: 9781665957854

by Farhana Islam ; illustrated by Nabila Adani ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2024

A sweet but slightly lacking exploration of hijab.

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A young girl wonders why the women in her family wear headscarves.

Noor knows that her mother’s hijab isn’t her hair, a towel, or a hat. It looks similar to the headscarves worn by Noor’s aunt and sister, though it differs from her maternal grandmother’s niqab and the loosely draped scarf worn by her paternal grandmother. Why do they all wear hijab? Noor wonders if they’re storing snacks underneath. Or maybe they’re trying to avoid catching lice? Her busy family members dismiss her inquiries. Finally, Noor’s mother tells her that the hijab is part of who she is as a Muslim woman: “We are believers. We are dreamers…My hijab is where I find peace, and it is where I dare to find power.” Though it’s a poignant explanation, some readers may wonder if the omission of religious doctrine is deliberate. Some of Noor’s questions echo the invasive queries Muslim women often encounter (“Is it so nobody can see when you’re having a bad hair day?”). Noor’s description of her niqabi grandmother as mysterious and “secretive” feels like an othering portrayal of Muslim women. Vibrant illustrations depict a variety of textiles, patterns, and decor, and Adani pays special attention to how context influences when characters wear hijab. Noor and her family are cued as Bangladeshi.

A sweet but slightly lacking exploration of hijab. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: May 21, 2024

ISBN: 9781665957854

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)