Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 3, 2018)
ISBN13: 9781534400597
Awards, Accolades, Honors:
Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Book Award, 2019
International Literacy Association, Notable Book for a Global Society, 2019
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2019
A FirstBook/Pizza Hut Empowering Educators Book
Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best
Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year Selection Title
Wisconsin State Reading Association’s Reading List
Brightly Best Books List
Seattle Public Library Best Books List
School Library Journal Best Books List
Shelf Awareness Best Books List
NPR Best Books List
Inside the Book
Mommy’s Khimar
A khimar is a flowing scarf that my mommy wears.
Before she walks out the door each day, she wraps one around her head.
A young girl plays dress up with her mother’s headscarves, feeling her mother’s love with every one she tries on. Charming and vibrant illustrations showcase the beauty of the diverse and welcoming community in this portrait of a young Muslim American girl’s life.
Educators, click here to find more resources for teaching Mommy’s Khimar!
Watch this great trailer for the Dreamscape version of Mommy’s Khimar:
I wanted to write a book about the Muslim headscarf that neither explained nor portrayed a child having to defend wearing one. While stories that teach about lesser-understood religious practices and affirm children who observe these practices are necessary, my inner child needed a different story – one that was fun and lighthearted and written for her. I remembered as a child seeing hijabs or khimars (as my community called them) as these lovely pieces of cloth to dress up in. I could be a princess or a butterfly with my mother’s khimars and a little imagination. These memories inspired this book.
Reviews
“In this ebullient picture book, readers come to share in the delight a little girl takes in wearing her mother’s khimar—another term for hijab… This affirming book will be a welcome mirror for Muslim and interfaith families, and a necessary counter to Islamophobic discourse.” – Booklist
“The words are often lyrical, and the story artfully includes many cultural details that will delight readers who share the cheerful protagonist’s culture and enlighten readers who don’t. With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked cultural group.” – STARRED Review, Kirkus
“Debut author Thompkins-Bigelow’s lyrical text and Glenn’s lighthearted Disney-style pictures are similarly sunny. Rather than offer an exegesis of the khimar or a plea for acceptance and understanding, they allow their heroine’s carefree confidence to speak for itself.” – STARRED Review, Publishers Weekly
“The delightful prose and whimsical illustrations reflect a culture of diversity and acceptance while offering many entry points for discussion with young audiences. Warm and sweet, Mommy’s Khimar is an uplifting and invigorating tale for any story time.” – STARRED Review, Shelf Awareness
“A sweet addition to picture book collections.” – School Library Journal
Awards, Accolades, Honors:
Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Book Award, 2019
International Literacy Association, Notable Book for a Global Society, 2019
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2019
A FirstBook/Pizza Hut Empowering Educators Book
Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best
Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year Selection Title
Wisconsin State Reading Association’s Reading List
