My Baba’s House: A Poem of Hope by Dr. Amani Mugasa, illustrated by Eman Salem

My Baba’s House: A Poem of Hope by Dr. Amani Mugasa, illustrated by Eman Salem. The Islamic Foundation, 2022. 9780860378617

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3

Format: Hardcover picture book

Genre: Inspirational

What did you like about the book? A heartfelt book in rhyme about being reunited with a deceased parent in heaven. Children are depicted remembering their Baba and learning from the Qur’an about where he is. Four-line stanzas are interspersed with images of heaven, showing pure rivers and beautiful gardens filled with ripe fruits, and flowing Arabic script. For grieving Muslim families, this book offers literal and hopeful bibliotherapy on the death of a parent, and how the parent prepared for heaven by being a devout Muslim.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? For Muslim children who have experienced the death of a parent, ages 3-6,

Who should buy this book? Public libraries looking to diversify parent collections on death and dying, and Islamic religious schools

Where would you shelve it ? Parent collections on death and dying

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: August 14, 2022