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Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter

A lyrical second-person text offers the perspective of a Mexican Muslim father talking to his daughter, affirming for her the joy and pride of being both Mexican and Muslim. “There are questions this world will ask. What are you? And where are you from? … On this day tell them this: Yo soy Muslim. I am from Allah, angels, a place as old as time. / I speak Spanish, Arabic, and dreams.” Mehrdokht Amini’s extraordinary digitally rendered illustrations are at once whimsical and rooted in details from two ancient cultures. The text does not shy away from reality—it includes the heartbreaking line “And there will come a day / when some people in the world / will not smile at you.” This carries a double meaning, as it refers to both Muslims and Latine in the United States in this powerful, accessible, welcome work. ©2017 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Correspondence/Letters Discrimination and Prejudice Faith, Spirituality and Religion Families Fathers Mexicans and Mexican Americans Muslim People Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
Diversity subject: Latine Muslim

Publisher: Salaam Reads
Publish Year: 2017
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781481489362

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Gonzalez