The Proudest Blue A Story Of Hijab And Family Pdf

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Dorothy Gouldie

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Aug 4, 2024, 11:53:18 AM8/4/24

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Publisher's Synopsis: THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.

The first day of wearing hijab is important. It means being strong. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand-new year, and best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab - made of a fabric of beautiful blue, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong. Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad brings readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are. --

Brief Synopsis: When her older sister wears hijab for the first day of school, young Faizah is happy and proud, until some schoolmates use unkind words, and she must find a way to keep strong and true to her faith and family.

Narrator and younger sister Faizah knows that blue is the color of the ocean and the sky, fit for a princess, like the sky on a sunny day, and a color that signifies strength. I especially loved how Faizah admires Asiya and looks forward to the day when she can wear hijab, too.

This book is on my list of books to read. I have several buddies who are on their way to wearing their hijab everyday. It was fun to watch how proud they were to wear theirs on occasion and they experiment a prepare for coming of age.

For readers not familiar with the practice of wearing a headscarf, the story and authors' notes explain when and why some Muslim girls wear hijab. All readers will see concrete strategies to deal with bullying and the emotions it can trigger.

Be proud of who you are, and stay strong, even if others don't understand you. Don't let other people steal your joy. Don't carry around the hurtful words of others; they belong to those who said them.

Faizah and Asiya are Black Muslims, while background characters represent a wide variety of skin colors. Faizah is fiercely loyal to her older sister, Asiya, who she admires a great deal. Asiya ignores the teasing of classmates, showing Faizah how to be strong and be proud when others are mean and hurtful. Asiya's three friends, who are neither Black nor Muslim, express anger at those who tease Asiya, role modeling for readers what it can look like to show support for a friend.

Parents need to know that The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family is by Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and award-winning author S.K. Ali, and illustrated by Hatem Aly. It's about the strength and pride needed to overcome the hurtful deeds of others. Fiercely loyal Faizah narrates her sister Asiya's first day of hijab and their first day of school, including the questions, ridicule, and threats of peers that come when they see Asiya in her headscarf. Faizah draws on her faith as well as the empowering words of their mother as she watches Asiya navigate her would-be tormentors. Bright and vibrant illustrations show a diverse suburban town. A mild threat of violence occurs when a boy yells that he is going to "tear that tablecloth" off Asiya's head.

With her light-up shoes and new backpack, THE PROUDEST BLUE's narrator, Faiza, is excited for the first day of school. It's also her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab -- the first day she'll wear her headscarf to school. She thinks Asiya looks like a beautiful princess in her hijab, but when her classmate asks what's on her sister's head, Faizah's pride falters a little. As the day progresses, Faizah watches as other kids point and laugh at Asiya; one even threatens to tear the hijab off her sister's head, calling it a "tablecloth." Each time, Faizah reflects on the true significance of hijab, recalls the advice of her mother, and watches admiringly as her sister responds to bigotry with grace. Authors' notes at the end provide informative context for the story.

This compelling picture book alternates the story of two sisters' momentous day with the lyrical reflections of the young narrator. The structure of The Proudest Blue allows readers to see what the girls see, peek into the pride in faith and family that sustains the sisters, and hear the wise counsel of a mother who knows what her Muslim daughters may experience once they don headscarves. Any reader who's ever been bullied will connect to these sisters' experiences, and Faizah's use of art, reflection, and recalling advice are helpful strategies kids can use to move through being hurt themselves.

Hatem Aly's ink-wash, pencil and watercolor illustrations are vibrant and expansive, perfect for little eyes to linger on. Of note is the choice to represent the kids who bully Asiya as faceless shadows. This captures how little they matter and highlights the sister's pride and self-respect as they refuse to let the ignorance of others ruin their day. This inspiring book is sure to capture the hearts of readers young and old alike.

Families can talk about the teasing and bullying featured in The Proudest Blue. How does Asiya respond? What does Faizah do to make sense of what she sees her sister going through? What can you do when you are being bullied or see someone else being bullied?

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

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SEEMI: Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad along with S.K. Ali write about an experience from both their childhoods. This story is simply about a young girl whose older sister is going to be wearing the hijab for the first time in public (her school). The mother takes Asiya to a hijab shop to choose a color that most reflects her. Her younger sister, Faizah, accompanies her. The color of the hijab that Asiya chooses is a brilliant blue that reflects the sky and the sea. Asiya is bullied in school about her hijab but she fights back with confidence that only a child who is loved and appreciated by her family can. She thus becomes a role model for her younger sibling and other younger girls to follow when time comes for them to choose to wear the hijab.

This book is written and illustrated by Muslims. Muslim children as well as others need to see strong Muslim role models outside of family and this book does just that. It is an experience that many Muslim girls relate to. The concept of choice, which is the right of every Muslim girl, is predominantly articulated within this strong and powerful narrative.