I Say Mashallah

by Noor H. Dee, Iput (Illustrations)

Nabil and Noura have gone camping with their dad. WOW, the view is beautiful. When looking at beautiful things their dad tells them to say, 'MASHALLAH!'

Genres: Picture Books

20 pages, Board Book

Published March 10, 2020

About the author

Noor H. Dee lahir di Depok, Maret 1982. Selama tujuh tahun ia pernah bekerja sebagai pemasak di hotel dan restoran. Selain hobi menulis, ia juga hobi tidur dan bermain musik.

Ia aktif di komunitas Brigade Lawan Arus, pernah mendirikan Perpustakaan Jalanan di pinggir jalan Margonda Depok, redaktur media gratisan Jurnal Omong Kosong, dan ia juga pernah menjabat sebagai ketua FLP Depok, tetapi mengundurkan diri lantaran selalu merasa tidak percaya diri setiap kali berbicara di depan banyak Orang.

Buku pertamanya berjudul Sepasang Mata untuk Cinta yang Buta (terbitan Lingkar Pena Publishing House). Cerita pendeknya yang berjudul Mengejar Kupu-Kupu dimuat di dalam buku antologi cerpen yang berjudul Kupu-Kupu dan Tambuli (terbitan Dewan Kesenian Jakarta), dan cerpennya yang berjudul Orang-Orang Terowongan juga dimuat di dalam buku antologi kasih untuk Palestina, judul bukunya Gadis Kota Jerash (terbitan Lingkar Pena Publishing House). Selain bekerja sebagai editor picisan di sebuah penerbitan, ia juga mengurus situs www.sipenulis.com (media sosial untuk pencinta literasi) . Igauannya dapat dibaca di www.noorhdee.tumblr.com. Kini ia tinggal di Depok.

Reviews

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute board book, and a nice way to introduce new vocabulary for little ones. However, nowhere on or in the book does it state what language this word is in (presumably Arabic?). I love the idea of this book, but practical aspects leave something to be desired. If one is reading this and is completely unfamiliar with the word and language, there is no context in which to understand any of it. Especially when publishing a book like this which is at a very basic level, it seems like communicating the basic info such as language would be essential. Apparently not?

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title is from a series of four books originally published in Indonesia in 2015 and recently translated to English by The Islamic Foundation in the U.K. This is a review for the whole series of books about Nabil, his younger sister Noura and their simple adventures.

In each book, Noura asks her brother what is the meaning of the key Arabic phrase found in the book's that he says aloud to several people. After he translates the phrase, Noura adopts the custom of saying the phrase as well.

In "As-salamu 'alaykum", Noura learns the greeting/prayer "Peace be upon you."
In "Mashallah", Noura learns it means "Allah has willed it."
In "Bismillah", Noura remembers "In the name of God."
In "Alhamdulillah", Noura learns it means "Praise be to God."

Dee's text is just right for this age group. Each situation the children are in is believable. Each book is smoothly translated by Shera Diva Sihbudi is smooth. The illustrations add so much context to the spare text. Digital(?) artwork by Iput is colorful, bright, and cheery. Nabil is a good big brother, showing patience with his younger sister and good leadership. The two siblings have a loving relationship, with Noura looking up to and respecting him. Iput includes a couple of pages in each book with a seek and find type activity, i.e. What color are the spoons? How many cups or stars? What play equipment is in the park? Additionally, on the last page of each book is the word written in Arabic, transliterated to English, in English, and two questions to review the word featured.

This title is from a series of four books originally published in Indonesia in 2015 and recently translated to English by The Islamic Foundation in the U.K. When I attended a national conference recently, I showed this series of board books to several Muslim women. They were visibly pleased to see them, expressig words of praise for their content and presentation. As I am not Muslim, I appreciated the kindness of these women to evaluate these books and share their point of view on their value and importance as accurate mirrors of their religious culture. I value them for their peek into another religion, which helps me build understanding about it.

Highly Recommended for Toddlers-PreK.

[Shoohada Khanom · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Good Little Deeds board book series, for ages 1 plus are adorable. Nabil and Noura take children on an adventure and teach them a new word in every book. The titles make it clear what word they will learn.
The sentences are a nice and short, enough to hold a small child’s attention.
There are a few things I loved about these. Firstly, my 2 year old refuses to share them with anyone. He thinks they are his. Bless him!
Secondly, the illustrations. They’re colourful and bright, making them catchy to look at.
Both Nabil and Noura’s characters are cute. I found myself smiling and giggling in places, it warmed me to see their facial expressions match the text so well.
Lastly, the bonus games inside and the word page at the back. The games take you away from the story for a bit, almost like a fun break. Kids learn colours and counting, it’s always been something my kids love to do. The word page at the back, reilitertates the new word, by showing the transliteration and translation, followed by a quick question.
Over all, perfect for little hands and a lovely collection to add to your home library.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nabil and Noura enjoy spending time with their father, and they particularly love the camping trip he takes them on. The sights and sounds of nature fill them with delight, and they learn the word "Mashallah" and its significance. It's good to have this part of a family's culture and religious beliefs highlighted in a board book for children. I just wish there was more to the story and that the images were more attractive, but still, it serves its purpose to demystify the term introduced here.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My latest literary obsession for littles is the Good Little Deeds Arabic language series (because, let’s be honest, my language skills are at an infant level). I wish I would have had these books before my travels to Oman, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. These books are repetitive yet charming, and I cannot wait to introduce them to my students (and practice them myself!).

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nabil and Noura learn the meaning of mashallah while camping with their dad.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple yet powerful board book. A father teaches his children the word Mashallah and its meaning. Bright and bold illustrations add to the book’s appeal. Highly recommended.

[Eben Larman · Rating 2 out of 5]

totally fine for kids I suppose. 5/10

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great board book for younger toddlers. For parents who want to teach their kids the meaning of 'Mashallah' and when to say it.

Read to Raya. Great for counting and the illustrations are bright and bold.