Exploring Culture: Children's Books That Celebrate Muslim Culture
top of page
The Best Children's books Helping Kids Rise Picture Books Parenting.jpg

Diverse Books For All Ages

Books That Celebrate Every Story, Every Voice, Every Child

Exploring Culture: Children's Books That Celebrate Muslim Culture

Updated: Mar 1


This collection of children's books features Muslim protagonists, cherishes the richness of Muslim culture, and beautifully depicts Islamic traditions. These books are perfect for sharing during Ramadan and Eid or for year-round exploration and celebration.


Dive into wonderful stories that celebrate culture, traditions, and the vibrant diversity of Muslim communities. For your convenience, we've included publisher's descriptions along with each book.

From the critically acclaimed author of Your Name Is a Song and the bestselling illustrator of The Proudest Blue comes a story about a Muslim boy who receives a salat (prayer) rug on his seventh birthday and becomes empowered about his faith.


In this beautiful story of community, family, and acceptance, a boy named Muhammad receives a special salat rug on his seventh birthday. Seven is the age when Muslim children are encouraged to pray, and Muhammad is determined to do all five daily prayers on time. But one salat occurs during the school day--and he's worried about being seen praying at school. His father parks his truck to worship in public places, and people stare at and mock him. Will the same thing happen to Muhammad?


In the end, with help from his teacher, he finds the perfect place to pray. Salat in Secret, by two highly acclaimed Muslim creators, is a poignant and empowering look at an important facet of Islam that many observant children cherish but might be scared to share.



With radiant and welcoming art, this debut picture book and modern holiday classic captures the magic and meaning of one of the world's most joyful and important celebrations.


It's Ramadan, the month of peace, and Moon watches over Ramadan traditions with excitement and longing in this sweetly illustrated debut.


In Egypt, India, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, in Somalia, New Zealand and Indonesia, in Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, children and their families do good deeds in honor of those who have less.


Cleverly blending glimpses of different countries' celebrations with the corresponding phases of the moon, Moon's Ramadan makes Ramadan, one of the world's most widely celebrated traditions, accessible and exciting for all readers. Includes robust and easy-to-understand back matter.



From the author of Not Quite Snow White comes a story about a young Muslim boy celebrating the many reasons he loves going to his local masjid in this jubilant and playful picture book perfect for fans of Mommy's Khimar and Abdul's Story.


Friday is Kamal's favorite day of the week because he gets to go to the masjid for Jumu'ah prayer. The masjid is where he can be with his friends, hear the teachings of the imam, and pray with the community that he loves so dearly. He just can't help the bounce in his step, the smile on his face, or the joy bubbling up in his chest every time Friday rolls around!


Inspired by the famous nursery rhyme "This Is the House That Jack Built," each spread in this buoyant picture book builds on the rhythmic list of things Kamal loves about the masjid.



Celebrate the end of Ramadan with this luminous Muslim family story about faith, history, and delicious foods.


On the night before Eid, it's finally time to make special sweet treats: Teita's famous ka'ak. Zain eagerly unpacks the ingredients from his grandmother's bulky suitcase: ghee from Khalo Karim, dates from Amo Girgis, and honey from Tant Tayseer--precious flavors all the way from Egypt. Together with Mama and Teita, Zain follows his family's recipe and brings to life Eid songs and prayers, pharaonic history, and the melodies and tastes of his Egyptian heritage.


This Muslim holiday story, featuring a delicious ka'ak recipe, is a satisfying addition to a joyful and expansive Eid.



The sequel to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Proudest Blue shows the power of friendship and kindness, from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.


It's picture day and Faizah can't wait to wear her special red dress with matching hair ribbons, passed down from her mother and sister. Faizah's teacher starts the day by asking her students to envision the kind of world they want, inspiring Faizah and her friends to spend the day helping one another in ways large and small.


But when it's time for sibling pictures, Faizah realizes that she and her older sister, Asiya, don't match like her classmates do with their siblings. With help from her classmates inspired by Asiya's hijab, Faizah finds that acts of kindness can come back to you in unexpected ways.


From Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and fellow bestselling, award-winning creators S.K. Ali and Hatem Aly comes a heartfelt exploration of friendship, faith, and the joy of spreading kindness wherever you go.



A heartwarming celebration of Ramadan, food, and community


Ramadan is coming, and as Abba and Ammi prepare for their month-long fast, Aliya hugs a secret to her chest: she's going to fast too! Ammi says she's still too young to fast, but Aliya is determined. At school, she refuses her snack, her lunch--even the cupcakes Sanjay's mom drops off for his birthday. But when she gets home, she can't resist Ammi's sweet, syrupy baklava. Before Aliya can stop herself, she reaches out and takes a big bite.


Aliya is disappointed in herself, but Ammi explains that there are many other ways to celebrate Ramadan besides fasting, like performing acts of kindness! Together, Aliya and her parents spend the month preparing and delivering meals to people in need.


This joyful look at Ramadan is based on the author's own childhood experiences and is rich with facts and details about the holiday. Readers familiar and unfamiliar with the holiest month in the Islamic calendar will get swept up in the festivities, and perhaps be inspired to share a meal with their community.



Join Zain and his dad on a special visit to their local mosque to attend jumu'ah prayers in this heartwarming picture book from the author of Under My Hijab.


Early Friday morning, Zain leaps out of bed ready to save the world from alien invaders! But his dad has other plans for Zain on this special day of the week. Dad takes Zain to the mosque and guides him through his first jumu'ah prayers. But Zain's quest for a superhero adventure leads to supersize distractions. Can Zain rein in his powerful impulses and appreciate this special experience with his dad and community?


With spirited text by award-winning author Hena Khan and dynamic illustrations by artist Nez Riaz, Zain's Super Friday is a celebration of Muslim traditions, imagination, and the joy of community.




This inspirational picture book from the author of Dear Black Child encourages Muslim children to take joy and pride in their Islamic faith. Perfect for fans of In My Mosque and The Proudest Blue.


Dear Muslim Child, your story matters.


In this lyrical ode to Islam, Muslim children all over the world are encouraged to celebrate their faith and traditions.



Perfect for fans of The Day You Begin and Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrator Shahrzad Maydani's Sister Friend is a heartwarming new picture book celebrating the unique joy of cultivating friendships within your cultural community.


Ameena feels invisible. It's been that way since she started at her new school. But now there is another new girl in class. Ameena sees her brownness and her hijab, even though the other kids do not.


Ameena wants to be her friend, but she can't seem to find the right words or do the right things. Until one day, they find them together: "Assalamu Alaikum, Sister. Welcome."



Looking for more great read aloud ideas? Visit these fabulous book lists:

 

Join our community of BOOK LOVERS to get book news delivered to your inbox.


Libro.FM diverse children's books Free Books with Membership trial




bottom of page