Salam Alaikum

July 10, 2017
The rewards of paying it forward are at the heart of this picture book adaptation of Muslim pop musician Harris J’s 2015 song of the same title, an Islamic greeting that means “Peace be upon you.” Jenkins (Chicks Run Wild) provides a down-to-earth visual interpretation of the song’s lyrics in cheery digital illustrations. In the opening scenario, a boy offers his umbrella to a young woman during a rainstorm, sparking a sequence of good deeds in a city park: that woman offers a balloon to a child, who then passes it to a scuffed-up skateboarder, who gives an apple to an elderly woman, and so on. All the while, a brigade led by the original boy is seen in the background toting materials to create a vibrant mural. Though the lyrics are rather anodyne (“You can try and turn off the sun,/ I’m still going to shine anyway/ and tell everyone/ we’re having some fun today”), there’s no questioning the sincerity of the message about kindness and coming together. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary.

July 15, 2017
The lyrics of international music sensation Harris J's popular song are paired with sunny illustrations to offer a youthful vision of world peace and love in this heartfelt picture book. Muslims often explain that their greeting of "Assalaam alaikum" means "peace," but rarely is the idea conveyed so clearly as it is through words and pictures in this new picture book. Harris J's catchy lyrics ("I just want to spread love and peace / and all of my happiness / to everyone that I meet") may not be the most original poetic writing, but they are a breath of fresh air sure to bring a smile to readers young and old while introducing the Muslim greeting as "A Message of Peace," as the title tagline has it. Faces of many races and creeds transform from troubled to ecstatic as strangers perform random acts of kindness and pay forward the love they receive. Jenkins' illustrations use splashes of yellow and gold to visually highlight the good deeds being passed from person to person, so that a dark and dreary day becomes bright through kindness and love. Fans of Harris J will be thrilled and will likely sing the verses happily as they read. Readers new to Harris J will come away with a lasting impression of this young Muslim's commitment to spreading world peace and love. A perfect choice to spread hope and fight stereotypes at the same time. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-The joy of kind acts, big and small, is celebrated in this visually energetic book based on the lyrics of J's popular song of the same name from his 2015 debut album. A sunshiny palette and a host of diverse smiling faces show the many ways people can spread love, peace, and happiness. Each person performs a compassionate action for another person, who then passes it on, starting with a picture book version of J giving his umbrella to a bedraggled woman in a rainstorm. The more love grows, the stronger the community becomes, until finally the city park is full of people glowing with peace. Notably, the author is a self-identified "proud Muslim and true Brit," and the story provides a positive depiction of Muslim ideals with which readers of all faiths can identify. The jubilant digitally rendered illustrations present a visual narrative for the text, which rarely rises above generic inspirational cliches. While the text encourages readers to "always be kind," the illustrations show kindness manifested as shining splashes of yellow and gold, emanating from the do-gooder out into the world. The story is bookended with the informal and formal ways to say and pronounce "Peace be upon you" and "And upon you peace." For non-Muslim readers, back matter about the cultural and religious significance of the title phrase could be helpful. VERDICT Illustrations depicting diverse individuals and a community-centered message make this a timely purchase for libraries.-Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017
Preschool-K Salam Alaikum means peace be upon you (though that information is only in the flap copy). It also happens to be the title of an international hit by young British recording artist Harris J. That song's lyrics become the text of this book, which invites readers to spread love and peace . . . give thanks every day . . . spread peace on the Earth. This upbeat message is mirrored in the digital artwork, which is colorful and packed with good deeds, as characters throw away trash, rescue kittens, and help strangers. The multicultural, goggle-eyed cast are a bit overly cartoonish for the theme. Their actions, however, are full of joyful purpose that may inspire readers to follow in their path. The phrase Assalamu Alikum, a variant of the title, appears several times in the text and will probably need explanation for non-Muslim readers. Those who want to hear Harris J sing the song can enjoy its upbeat message on YouTube.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)