In My Mosque

Starred review from January 1, 2021

PreS-Gr 3-This beautifully illustrated picture book, with its straightforward text, goes a long way to gently inform readers about a religion and sector of society many of them outside the faith of Islam might not encounter. Yuksel follows a young boy as he goes to his mosque on Friday, the holy day for Muslims. The perspective remains that of a child. In the mosque are rooms for prayer, meeting with fellow worshipers, rooms to gather food from food drives and other charity events, and even places for the children to play. Their prayers focus on unity among all people, and peace, love, and joy for all. They believe that, although religions may differ, we all come from the same creator. The artwork takes its cues from Middle Eastern motifs and was created digitally using scans of washes, inks, textures, and patterns. Arabic is used in certain places and those phrases are explained in the generous back matter of the book. Pair this with David Macaulay's Mosque for a detailed, architectural look at these spaces. VERDICT This marvelous, welcoming book on mosques, Muslims, and Islam is a must, offering foundational knowledge on the world's second largest religion.-Joan Kindig, James Madison Univ., Harrisonburg, VA

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February 1, 2021
Children welcome readers into different mosques to learn about varying activities and services that take place in them. Though many different mosques and children are depicted, the voices call readers' attention to the similarities among Muslim communities around the world. Yuksel highlights the community eating together; women, men, and children sharing the space and praying together; grandfathers thumbing their tasbihs; grandmothers reading the Quran; aunties giving hugs; children playing. The effect is to demonstrate that a mosque is more than just a building but rather a space where children and adults come together to pray, give, learn, and play. Joyful characters describe what happens in simple, poetic language: "In my mosque, the muezzin's call to prayer echoes in the air. I stand shoulder to shoulder with my friends, linked like one long chain." Aly's bright illustrations pair well with Yuksel's words, ending with a beautiful spread of children staring at readers, waving and extending their hands: "You are welcome in my mosque." The variety of mosques included suggests that each has its own unique architecture, but repeating geometric patterns and shapes underscore that there are similarities too. The author's note guides readers to her website for more information on the mosques depicted; they are not labeled, which is frustrating since the backmatter also includes a tantalizing list of famous mosques on every continent except Antarctica. Both a celebration of and an introduction to the mosque. (glossary, sources) (Picture book. 4-8)

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March 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 In My Mosque draws readers into the Muslim house of worship to show how it is so much more than a place to pray. Mosques are central to the lives of practicing Muslims around the world; they are places where traditions are upheld, community is developed, and problems are resolved. There, children learn about Muslim values, such as caring for others, as well as stories from Islamic scripture, even as they play and eat and get distracted and fidgety--something to which all kids who attend places of worship will relate. Back matter includes a list of historic mosques around the world, many of which are visible, though unnamed, in the illustrations. Aly's (The Proudest Blue, 2019) illustrations echo the warmth of Yuksel's text, depicting loving, happy communities, rich in diversity of all sorts. The striking use of geometric patterns found in Islamic art and architecture might inspire classroom art projects to complement a narrative study of houses of worship.

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Starred review from April 26, 2021
Debut author Yuksel writes a rich introduction to mosques, encompassing Muslim garb, ideals, and practices. Employing the refrain “In my mosque,” she offers an observation on each verso page (“In my mosque, aunties’ hijabs sway like a sea of flowers as we move through our prayers”), with a child’s first-person perspective relayed on the recto (“I try to pay attention, although sometimes I get distracted”). Rendered digitally with scans of ink washes, textures, and patterns, Hatem’s art offers a lush, multilayered appeal: golden world balloons with holy phrases; intricate, delicate-lined details; and inclusive scenes with people of varying abilities, ages, skin tones, and sizes. This personable, sensory love letter to a range of children’s mosque experiences will engage new learners and resonate with those already familiar. Back matter includes more information about mosques, a glossary, an author’s note, and more. Ages 4–8.