Magnificently capturing the colorful world of Islam for the youngest readers, this breathtaking and informative picture book celebrates Islam’s beauty and traditions. From a red prayer rug to a blue hijab, everyday colors are given special meaning as young readers learn about clothing, food, and other important elements of Islamic culture, with a young Muslim girl as a guide. Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is equally at home in a classroom reading circle as it is being read to a child on a parent’s lap.
It’s Ramadan, which means it’s a perfect time to celebrate Islamic culture and traditions with the young people in your life. In this beautiful picture book, a young girl introduces readers to some of the many colours in her life, which correspond to different significant items or activities. White, for example, is represented by the round, flat traditional hat called a kufi that her grandpa wears, while blue is the colour of the elegant hijab that her mother likes to wear.
The book references several Ramadan-related traditions, including the eating of dates, the giving of Eid gifts, and the giving of zakat that are given on Eid for the less fortunate, making this a great story to share this time of year.
An extensive and accessible glossary explains the Arabic words used in the text, and provides additional background information, creating a text that’s perfect for children of all cultures and backgrounds.
The illustrations are absolutely lovely – as befits a book about colour, each image is filled with rich jewel tones, and different shades of each colour fill each page.
I also appreciated the fact that the story doesn’t explicitly state which city or country the little girl lives in, allowing readers everywhere to identify with her and her family, and reaffirming to young readers that Muslims make their homes in communities all around the world.
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is a beautiful picture book that is both informative and celebratory, serving as a joyful mirror for Muslim children, and a welcoming window into Muslim culture for other readers. It could also be used as a way to initiate conversations with young readers, and even inspire them to create their own books of colours based on their religious, cultural or ethnic background. What would a Jewish, Hindu or Shinto book of colours look like, for example, or in a non-religious setting, what might be included in a French or Chinese book of colours? What similarities or differences might be found? We all have colours in our lives, and traditions and symbols that we hold dear, and talking about them can help children realise the deep bonds that bind all people, whatever their identities.
Whether at Ramadan or at any other time of the year, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is a highly recommended addition to any children’s book collection.
GOLDEN DOMES AND SILVER LANTERNS : A MUSLIM BOOK OF COLORS
Paperback, 32 pages
May 23, 2012 (hardcover) : Chronicle Books
Source: Raincoast Books
This looks so beautiful! I can imagine this would be a great book to have in the classroom or in the library!