Recomended Picture Book: Around Our Way On Neighbors' Day by Tameka Fryer Brown

Title: Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day

Author: Tameka Fryer Brown

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 08/01/2010

Suitable for: ages 4 – 8 years

Themes/Topics: neighborhood appreciation, neighbors, friendship, multicultural, diversity

Opening:

“Blue sky, no clouds,
Summer heat, side street,
Whirling, whizzing feet.
Everyone is out to play
Today, around our way…”

Synopsis:

Neighbors gather on a hot summer day for a joyful block party: Kids play double Dutch; men debate at the barber shop and play chess; mothers and aunts cook up oxtail stew, collard greens, and other delicious treats; and friends dance and sway as jazz floats through the streets.

A rhythmic tale that celebrates the diversity of a close-knit community, Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day will excite readers and prompt them to discover the magic of their own special surroundings.

Links to resources:

Activity Guide for the Book. 

Classroom Applications 

Worksheets 

Why I like this book:

It is so nice to see a book that shows a positive image of a diverse urban neighborhood. Ms Brown really did a wonderful job making this a fun and rhythmic story. The words danced and bounced on the page right along with the illustrations. I really liked how I was introduced to everyone on the block and allowed to partake in the different activities! I cracked up when all was fine and dandy until mama’s kitchen mishap! I guess the book reminded me of the good ole days when community was everything. Everyone came together to share in good times. Another great thing about this book is, it can be used in the classroom year round! Its applications are diverse. It can be used to study poetry, foster or enhance a discussion on diversity, encourage community both in and outside the classroom, types of art, and so much more.

For a complete list of books with resources that engage, educate and entertain, visit the blog of author Susanna L Hill.

Good Deed Friday: Helping with Chores

Happy Good Deed Friday! Today's good deed idea does not require any money at all! Helping your mom or dad with chores is a great deed and very helpful! Help you dad wash the family car, help your mom fold the laundry, watering the lawn, taking out the garbage and washing the dishes. You can even help your siblings clean their room. There are lots of ways in chipping in and helping your family and home! Remember, when everyone pitches in, it makes the job a lot more fun and easier. And the work gets done much faster! ;)

Recomended Picture Book: Moon Watchers by Reza Jalali

Title: Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle

Author: Reza Jalali

Publisher: Tilbury House, May 11. 2010

Suitable for: 6 and up

Themes/Topics: Cultures, Family traditions, Religious holidays, Sibling rivalry, Fasting, Ramadan, Making ethical decisions.

Opening: I lean up against my father as the sky gets darker around us. Way above our heads, tiny stars start to appear. We search for the  new moon.

Synopsis: Looking through the tall trees in their backyard in Maine, Shirin and her dad search for a glimpse of the new moon, the sign that the month of Ramadan has begun. Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world pray, fast, and pay special attention to doing good deeds. Shirin is nine and thinks she should be able to fast like her older brother Ali, but her parents feel she is still too young to go without food and water all day. When Shirin catches Ali sneaking food after school, she wonders: Should she tattle or is this an opportunity for a good deed? Shirin feels left out when the others break their fasts to have their own meals after dark and in the early morning, before it is light again. But then her grandmother tells a story that shows her a way she can feel more a part of Ramadan and the traditions and closeness her family enjoys during this special month of the year. Her good deeds result in a surprise for everyone!

Links to resources:

The publisher offers a wonderful lesson plan with resources to go along with Moon Watchers. Some activities include: How to make one of Shirin’s favorite dish, Persian rice, Make  a Ramadan Mosaic Sun Catcher, Moon watching, lots of discussion related topics and more.

Why I like this book:

 Muslims around the globe observe Ramadan, from Africa, Asia, the Americas and across Europe and Australia. Moon Watchers is the story of an Iranian family and how they observe the month in their home in the US. It reflects Iranian culture beautifully and accurately. Growing up I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a couple of Ramadans with an Iranian family during their stay here. The family had children the same ages as my two younger sisters and me. This story brought back quite of few good memories of sleepovers and Iftars (the dinner meal) and grand Eids (End of Ramadan festival) and gifts.

Shirin is your average Muslim child in every Muslim household during the month of Ramadan. She wants to partake in the holiday and fast with the rest of the family. Her problem? She is too young. Most families restrict their young children from fasting until they are old enough to understand what fasting is. But like every little Muslim child I know, Shirin doesn’t think that is hardly any ‘real’ reason why she can’t fast like all the big people, including her older brother, Ali. The story touches on something EVERY child goes through, wanting to partake in family traditions and rituals. It doesn’t matter whether its Ramadan, Christmas, Deepavali or Hanukah, children want to be a part of the festivities. Another universal theme of the book is sibling rivalry. What child has NOT had to deal with that! I have two younger sisters and two older brothers!! :D I love that the story ends with Ali, Shirin’s older brother being nice to her and that she keeps his secret. The story begins with sighting the moon, which is very important to Muslims. The new moon signals the beginning and end of the month. I love that the moon remains a part of the story. The illustrations beautifully capture the feel and warmth of the family and their traditions. From their prayer rugs, traditional dishes and religious artifacts and my favorite, the picture of the “hundreds of tiny silvery pieces.” There aren’t hundreds of pieces but the illustration is beautiful!!! J

The story also highlights the many aspects of Ramadan, fasting and doing good deeds, something I feel is lacking in many religious holidays where consumerism is pushed rather than the more spiritual aspect of the holiday like being and doing good for others, family and community. Shirin learns that doing good things for others is just as important and apart of Ramadan as is the fasting. I also found that it accurately reflected the physical state of most people who fast, tiredness, the caffeine withdrawal for the coffee and tea drinkers, jitters for smokers, and more. Personally, I am a habitual snacker. If it is in the house, I snack. During the first week of Ramadan I almost always have to catch myself from just popping something in my mouth because it is there!

For kids just starting out fasting, cheating is natural. They are not used to the hunger. I don’t know of any person who fasted as a kid and did not grab something while no one was looking!!! LOL! I love that Ali is not scolded in the story. Not even by his little sister gets on him about cheating during the fast. I remember once when I was around eleven or twelve, we were at a park and I told my mom I was hot and wanted to put some water on my face! Ha, water on my face indeed! (In my defense, it WAS a hot day :D) but I know my mom knew better as I went many, many times to that water fountain. But you know, that is how kids learn, over the years, I fought that urge and at age 15 fasting was no longer hard for me. So, don’t worry Ali, you will get there one day!! ;) 

Social Media Wiz Wanted!!!!!!! Intern with Noor Kids!

Are you passionate about helping Muslim children? Are you interested in becoming a social media expert/current student majoring in Business or Journalism? Do you maintain an active presence on social media websites such as facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc. Then maybe this is just for you. Noor Kids is looking for a motivated, talented and (most importantly) passionate Social Media Wizard who would like to build his/her social media skill-set and brighten the lives of little Muslims! 

Responsibilities include: 

• Develop our overall social media strategy and promotions across all of our channels – Facebook, Twitter, Email Lists, and NoorKids.com

• Brainstorm potential social media promotions

• Create engaging content on NoorKids.com and partner blogs

• Engage our Facebook fan base and ambassadors with regular updates

• Grow our twitter fan base by connecting with customer and collaborators

• Cultivate relationships with leading Muslim Bloggers

• Develop an email marketing strategy

For more information and how to apply for the position, go to Noor Kids website.

Recommended Picture Book: My Name Is Sangoel

Title: My Name is Sangoel

Author: Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed

Age: 7 – 9 years

Publisher: Eerdmans: June 1, 2009

Theme/Topics: self-identity and belonging, refugee, new home/country, making new friends, loss/loneliness.

Opening:  

Don’t worry, the wise one said as Sangoel prepared to the leave the refugee camp. “You carry a Dinka name. It is the name of your father and of your ancestors before him.

     The wise man hugged him and Sangoel could feel his bones in his thin arms. “Remember, you will always be a Dinka. You will be Sangoel. Even in America.”

Synopsis:

     Sangoel is a refugee. Leaving behind his homeland of Sudan, where his father died in the war, he has little to call his own other than his name, a Dinka name handed down proudly from his father and grandfather before him.

     When Sangoel and his mother and sister arrive in the United States, everything seems very strange and unlike home. In this busy, noisy place, with its escalators and television sets and traffic and snow, Sangoel quietly endures the fact that no one is able to pronounce his name. Lonely and homesick, he finally comes up with an ingenious solution to this problem, and in the process he at last begins to feel at home.

Resources:

Teacher Guide for the book:  http://www.karenlynnwilliams.com/files/sangoel_guide.pdf

Why I like this book: I love books where the main character, the child, can identify their problem and then solve their problem. Most times I think adults do not give children the credit they deserve and opportunity to shine. In this story, Sangoel does just that. He shines. A Dinka refugee from Sudan, Sangoel has nothing but his mother, sister and his name. A name he is proud of. But it is also a name no one can pronounce correctly. Most immigrants I know change their names to something easy, more American. But not Sangoel. He finds a fun and creative way to keep his Dinka name and pride while teaching others how to say his name correctly. In fact, I was not pronouncing his name right as I read the book until I got to the end and say OOOOOHHHHH! That’s how you say it!!! J

In The News: A New Kind of Cookbook & Book Giveaway

Good morning to everyone on this snowed in day! Yep, Seattle is getting her fair share of the snow dump to my dismay. I have a wedding to get to this evening and I am on set duty around noon, not sure if I will even be able to make it :(

But that is not what I am here to talk about on this snow covered day. As the pic above says, there is a new cookbook in town!!!! And, yours truly has a couple of family recipes and food related stories included! :D I'm so excited to share some of my mom's fun cooking with the world and some of the stories that lead to said recipes. For example, you will find out why for a good 10+ years my family became vegetarians and tuna became the main meat staple in the house :D Try out a variety of recipes from various cultures around the world.

Serving Up Faith is on sale now but I am giving away two copies! Fill out the form below for a chance to win a print copy of Serving Up Faith!

Serving Up Faith
Islamic Writers Alliance
ISBN: 978-0-9819770-7-2
Paperback
242 pages
Price: $14.95




Buy direct from the publisher here or from Amazon here

Tuesday Tunes: Upsy Daisy

Good Deed Friday

Teach your children the importance of Charity. Parents must lead by example. If your children see you giving charity, they will learn and become generous as they grow older and charity will be second nature to them. Every week I will post ideas of how children (and adults) can give charity. These ideas will include fun activities that the whole family can enjoy doing together. I will also highlight organizations that you and your family can join and partake in their quest to ease the burdens and sufferings of the less fortunate.

The Trouble with Eavesdropping(spying)

What is Eavesdropping?

Eavesdropping/spying is the act of secretly listening to the private conversation of others without their knowledge and permission. Eavesdropping is wrong and no one likes for others to listen in one their private conversations. It can cause friendships to break and hurt feelings. In fact, it is strictly forbidden in Islam. 

It is narrated in al-Saheehayn from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech. Do not eavesdrop; do not spy on one another; do not envy one another; do not forsake one another; do not hate one another. Be, O slaves of Allaah, brothers.”

Al-Bukhaari, 5144; Muslim, 2563. 

Hujurat {49:12}
"O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful."

Organization Spot Light: Islamic Writers Alliance

 Catch the Spirit…Be a Muslim Champion

We Are Muslim Champions Serving Allah
We Work For The Benefit Of Muslims
We are Champions of Literacy for Muslim Children, Youth, and Teens
We Are Champions of Creative Writing for Muslim Students
We Are Champions for Islamic School Libraries
We are Champions for Aspiring Muslim Writers Striving to Become Published


The Islamic Writers Alliance Inc. (IWA) is a USA based professional Muslim non-profit organization with an international membership. It was founded in 2004. Members include published and aspiring writers, editors, artists, publishers, journalists, playwrights, web designers, retailers, and marketing consultants. The IWA is an inclusive organization and welcomes adult Muslim men and women of all races, ethnicities, linguistic backgrounds, abilities, and creeds.

IWA's purpose is to promote literacy world-wide. The IWA has established successful programs designed to meet the established goals and purpose of the organization.


One of IWA's well known programs is the yearly book award of fiction and non-fiction books to Islamic school libraries (20 schools to date :D)

Give your support to a Muslim non-profit organization that works to benefit our Muslim kids! Donate here.

Organization Spot Light: I Inspire Inc

IInspire is a non-profit organization that uses the motivational power of the arts with interactive technologies and educational tools to bring comfort to the sick, promote volunteerism and inspire local communities to come together for positive change.

Noor Kids go to Hajj giveaway!

The second edition of Noor kids is out and it sure is exciting! Little ones will enjoy learning all about Hajj with Asad, Amira and Shireen. This issue includes colorful illustrations, a simple format for introducing Islamic morals and practices and fun activities like helping Amira find her parents when she gets lost in a maze. There's a coloring activity and fun and easy recipe that little ones can do in the kitchen with mom or dad. I liked this edition so much, I am giving away one copy to one winner of the Noor Kids Giveaway over on the Family Reads website. Or, fill in the form below for a chance to win this wonderful edition for your growing little Muslim.

Happy Reading!

Story time! The Roses in My Carpet: Read by Rukhsana Khan

Story time! Aliyah's First Ramadan read by Abdullah Puppet

A Special Gift for Daddy

Copyright © 2011 SN Taylor, All Rights Reserved

Adila was sitting on her porch. It was father's day and she did not have a special gift for her father. She sat with her face resting in her hands. A bee buzzed around in the garden. It was a big fat fuzzy bumble bee. She watched as it danced in the air.

"What do you think I should get daddy for father's day," she asked out loud.

As if the bee heard her, it danced in circles until it landed on a lavender flower.

"Daddy likes the color purple, but he is allergic to flowers," she shook her head.

The bee danced in circles away from the garden. Adila stood up and followed it. The bee landed on leaf near a bunny napping in a patch of grass.

"How cute," Adila whispered, "but daddy is also allergic to animal fur," she shook her head.

The bee passed a frog sitting on a lily pad and circled over the pond with little fish. Adila thought for a while.

"Daddy does like to fish and this is his favorite pond, but we did that yesterday," she shook her head.

Adila followed the bee as it danced in circles until he landed on her porch. Adila sat down on the porch with her face in her hands.

"I'll never find a special gift for daddy for Father's Day," she said shaking her head.

With a zip and a buzz, the big fat fuzzy bee quickly disappeared into the trees behind the garden. Adila her a buzz, then two, three, and four, then more. She looked up and saw many big fat, fuzzy bumble bees dancing in circles in her garden. The bumble bees formed the shape of a heart and buzzed loudly for Adila to hear and see. Adila smiled a great big smile.

"I know what I can give daddy for Father's Day," she said nodding her head.

She ran into the house and jumped into daddy's arms and squeezed him tight.

"I LOVE YOU, DADDY," she said with all her heart.

Copyright © 2011 SN Taylor, All Rights Reserved

In the News: Islamic Writers Alliance

We Are Muslim Champions Serving Allah

We Work For The Benefit Of Muslims

We are Champions of Literacy for Muslim Children, Youth, and Teens

We Are Champions of Creative Writing for Muslim Students

We Are Champions for Islamic School Libraries

We are Champions for Aspiring Muslim Writers Striving to Become Published

Give your support to a Muslim non-profit organization that works to benefit our Muslim kids!

Who We Are: The Islamic Writers Alliance Inc. (IWA) is a USA based professional Muslim non-profit organization with an international membership. We were founded in 2004. Members include published and aspiring writers, editors, artists, publishers, journalists, playwrights, web designers, retailers, and marketing consultants. The IWA is an inclusive organization and welcomes adult Muslim men and women of all races, ethnicities, linguistic backgrounds, abilities, and creeds.

Our Purpose: Our purpose is to promote literacy world-wide. The IWA has established successful programs designed to meet the established goals and purpose of the organization.

Our programs are segmented into five areas:

· IWA regularly award fiction and non-fiction Islamic books to Islamic school libraries (20 schools to date)

· IWA sponsors creative writing contests for Islamic schools.(12 contests to date)

· IWA sponsors two annual contests open to the public: an Islamic poetry contest (for 7 years) and an Islamic fiction story contest (for 2 years).

· IWA provides publishing opportunities for members aspiring writers and published authors through the anthology books we publish. We have published three anthologies to date with a 4^th book currently in progress.

· IWA provides publishing opportunities for members through its quarterly online publication, IWA Magazine.

IWA Contact: raylin@q.com / Director / www.islamicwritersalliance.net

We trust in Allah. We work in His service. We ask you to join our cause and help support our programs. We need your support. Join us and be a Champion, too. Donate thru PayPal: islamicwritersalliance@gmail.com

The Story of Mullah Nasruddin and his Ring

Story time! Here is a funny little story meant to be humorous. Mullah Nasruddin is widely known for his funny, witty and thoughtful short stories and anecdotes.

The story of Mullah Nasruddin and his ring

Mullah Nasruddin had lost his ring, so he set out to search for it under the street light.

Others came to help him search.

Finally when asked if he was certain he had dropped it in this spot, he said,
"No, I lost it there," and pointed to his house.

The others asked incredulously:
"Then why are you looking for it here?"

Mullah Nasruddin said, while trying to look clever:
"Because it is dark where I lost it, and it is light out here!"

http://www.livingislam.org/sis_e.html#mnr

The Emperor and the Seed

Author Unknown

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."

The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"

One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by-still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But honest about what happened, Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful-in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!" All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor? Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

The Prophet taught, "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8:116]

Source: Taken from http://www.islamcan.com/islamic-stories/the-emperor-and-the-seed.shtml

Books and Technology

Where will the digital world take us? While sitting here checking email, updating my facebook status and reading tweets, I came across a tweet that asked, "what will libraries look like?" in the future as we move to move forward and e-books become more popular and accessible. I realized that it has been ages since I set foot in a library, this coming from a girl who was practically raised in our small town library. Granted, the last time I went to the library, which wasn't that long ago, was in search of some board books for my classroom, but I'm talking about sitting down amongst thousands of books and spending hours reading.

The thought brought back floods of memories and sensations. I can almost remember the smell of my hometown library. The smell of the books, the carpet under my feet (yeah, I used to take off my shoes when the librarian was not looking :D), the hard seats when the more comfortable chair was already taken, the smooth covers of the books as I shelved books and the goosebumps I'd get when it got a bit too cold. The only sounds heard were the hushed whisperings of patrons, tapping of typewriters and the turning of pages. Being home-schooled allowed me an opportunity to spend hours and hours at the library. On a good day, I spent more than four hours. I even learned how to use library system to help others check out books, input returned books and even shelve returned books. It was such a great experience.

Then comes technology, giving us the e-book. Not sure how embracing I am of the thought of e-books. I love holding books, smelling books and the simple sensation of turning pages. Just how will e-books transform the library culture and way of life? What will they look like? I can only imagine some hallowed room with nothing but glass and colorless, streamlined computer stations where people can hook their ipads, kindles, laptops and other e-readers to charge and download books, information and even automated librarians. The room will have a more sterile smell due to problems dust can create for the library mainframe. There will be no intimacy between person and book or person and library. People will interact with machine instead of other humans.

Who knows what the future has in store for books and the library, but hopefully we still have a long time before the written word becomes obsolete. I'm a die-hard book fan and hopefully enough of us will keep the book and library culture alive. At least for the next 7 generations! :D

Dua to say during the last ten nights

The last ten nights of Ramadan is a major time to ask forgiveness.

Hadith Qudsi,

Allah said:O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind.O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it.- Saheeh. Related by at-Tirmidhi.

A dua'

ALLAAHUMMA INNAKA 'AFFUWWUN TUHIBB AL- 'AFWA FA 'AFFU 'ANNI

(O Allaah, You are Forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me)

(Tirmidhi)