The Power of Picture Books
Children’s books are one of the best ways to teach important values to children. Through books, they can learn about different cultures and beliefs. Additionally, children’s books that have positive representation can do wonders for a child’s self-confidence. The lack of representation may influence individuals to struggle with identity development, and negative perception of their group. People may start to see their own identity as “weird” or something to be ashamed of. Additionally, the lack of representation leads to a more intolerant society. My children get extremely excited when they see people in hijabs in cartoons, books, or posters at a store.
Representation Matters
Growing up in a multicultural family, I rarely saw accurate books that represented my own family. If they did, they usually had bizarre stereotypes. The same can be said about the hijab and Muslims in general. Muslims have been heavily misrepresented in the media. Muslims are usually portrayed as terrorists or women are portrayed as oppressed. As a Muslim mother, I want my children to grow up to be proud of their identity. Thankfully, I found several picture books that beautifully portray the hijab.
Picture Books That Portray the Hijab
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Buy Here : https://amzn.to/3TuD8e5
Ibtihaj Muhammad: Muslim American Champion Fencer and Olympian
Buy Here : https://amzn.to/3ItYh1J
Lion on the Inside: How One Girl Changed Basketball by Bilqis Abdul-Qadr
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/48NqGdG
Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs by Razeema Omar Gutta
Buy Here : https://amzn.to/4ckHQ5A
Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow
Buy Here : https://amzn.to/4c9qXdJ
Under My Hijab by Hena Khan
Buy Here :https://amzn.to/3PfhAPW
A Dupatta Is… by Marzieh Abbas
Buy Here : https://amzn.to/3TsK1fY
Open Wide, Katie! (Katie Woo’s Neighborhood) by Fran Manshukin
Buy Here : https://amzn.to/4c69Rxx
