I Went for Hajj

by Na'ima B. Robert

Put on two bright white sheets. Stand before the cube shaped Kaaba. Hear the adhan as it fills the air. See, hear, smell and feel the wondrous Hajj pilgrimage with a young boy, who's returned from Makkah a Hajji.

A rhyming book, perfect to read aloud, that gives children a taste of the sacred things pilgrims see and do on the most important trip for Muslims.

Genres: Picture Books, Muslims, Travel, Religion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

Na’ima B Robert is descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father's side and the Zulu people on her mother's side. She was born in Leeds, grew up in Zimbabwe and went to university in London. At high school, her loves included performing arts, public speaking and writing stories that shocked her teachers.
Her popular 'From my sisters' lips' explored the reality of living as a Muslim woman in the West. She has written several multicultural books for children, including 'The Swirling Hijaab', 'Going to Mecca' and 'Ramadan Moon'. She is also the author of the teen novels 'From Somalia, with love', 'Boy vs Girl', 'Black Sheep' and the award-winning 'Far from Home', a historical novel set in Zimbabwe. Her cult classic 'She Wore Red Trainers' pioneered the 'halal romance novel' genre. She divides her time between London and Yorkshire and dreams of living on a farm with her own horses. Until then, she is happy to keep telling untold stories, calling for increased representation in children's books and mentoring other aspiring Muslim writers with her writing groups and programmes.

Reviews

[Kirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book already feels like a classic staple that needs to be on every Muslim families book shelf, and in every public learning space for non Muslims to enjoy and benefit from as well.   The 31 page "inspirational, semi-fictional narrative" is perfect for ages two to seven as it mimics the beloved Eric Carle and Bill Martin, Jr. classic, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? but framed around Hajj and what is seen, done, and heard.  Each two page spread begins with, "Hajji, hajji...".

The book starts with a detailed Note to Parents and Teachers that explains the points to highlight, and discuss with children.  The story is then organized by the steps of hajj in broad strokes and illustrated with both charm and detail that will hold readers and listeners attention.

Hajji, hajji what did you wear?

I wore two white sheets

And my shoulder was bare.

The book starts with the little boy narrator on the plane looking down on the clouds and sea. He then puts on his two sheets, hears the call to prayer,  sees the black stone and the station of Ibrahim before he makes his seven tawaafs, runs between safa and marwa and heads to Mina. He prays at Arafat like the Prophet (saw) did, and falls asleep in the cold night desert air.  He sees stones being thrown and eats meat on Eid before getting his head shaved.  The book concludes with a glossary.

The book is well done and is a great mix of information and entertainment, alhumdulillah.

[Michelle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the realistic fiction genre, but it also fits in with the diverse books category. This book is not a book I am formally reviewing, but I did want to share some notes about this book written for younger readers in grades prek-5. This book was on display in the "new books" section of my school's library, as it was published in 2021. This book depicts a child's experience of Hajj. For Muslim students in my school, this book can show how beautiful a child's holy travel experience is and enlighten them on what he sees on his trip!

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

I WENT FOR HAJJ is a cute and informative picture book about a boy who goes for Hajj, a pilgrimage to Makkah, the fifth pillar of Islam. The book uses a rhythmic format to ask questions of the Hajji, a Muslim who completed the pilgrimage to Makkah, and he responds with answers about his journey and the things he did along the way. The beginning of the book includes informational notes directed to teachers and parents, and the end includes a glossary that defines terms that might be less familiar.

What I loved: As someone who was not familiar with this practice, the book was a great source of information in a fun format that can help to teach about Islam. The rhythmic phrases and question-and-answer format are really charming and fun to read, rolling off the tongue on each page. The cute and expressive illustrations add to the fun for young readers. The front and back matter is really helpful in being able to understand and explore more around this practice, with the potential to use it in classroom lessons.

Final verdict: A cute and rhythmic story, I WENT FOR HAJJ is an informative and fun picture book about this Muslim practice.

Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Shifa Safadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My newest favorite Hajj book EVER🎉🎉🎉⠀
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This new book by @naimabrobert just spoke to my heart and made me feel so excited and happy!! ⠀
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I didn’t realize how much we needed a super cute Hajj book until I got my hands on this one!!!⠀
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This book has it all! I know I gave it such a vast age grouping, but its because of the different ways you can use it. ⠀
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Littles and toddlers will enjoy sitting with their parents and being read to. The rhymes are absolutely PERFECTION and the images are gorgeous and vibrant. ⠀
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Older children will enjoy the Hajj information at the beginning and the glossary at the end! They will also enjoy seeing the images and steps of Hajj and reading the fun rhymes. It makes it so much more memorable for them.⠀
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I love how this book is a spin on the classic “baby bear, baby bear what do you see” book. This book absolutely stands on its own, and I see it becoming its own classic in Muslim households!⠀
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Get your own for your own little Hajji (or Hajjah) at home!❤️

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Channeling the classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Did You See?, this picture book relies on a similar rhyme scheme and repetitive language to describe one young boy's experiences during his Hajj. The idea of a pilgrimage to Mecca will be familiar to many readers, but if not, this picture book provides a good introduction to the journey and the different parts of this important practice so sacred to Muslims, including purification and circling the Ka'bah. There is a helpful glossary of terms in the back matter that helps readers understand unfamiliar terms. The enthusiasm of the young boy about this entire experience is captured effectively in the book's illustrations. I did not know that there was a name for someone who had completed the pilgrimage--hajji. Caregivers, parents, and certainly teachers might want to include this picture book in their own collections to give a clearer picture of this misunderstood religion.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this depiction of Hajj from a child's perspective! This is a lovely narrative to share with preschoolers and lower-elementary aged children. The introduction to the book nicely includes more detail about Hajj and the cultural and religious elements depicted throughout the book. The narrative itself is lyrical and rhyming which makes for a nice read aloud for young children. You of course can explore the topic in more detail. The color palette in the illustrations is just beautiful and and I think this book is a lovely contribution.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Serene In Wonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming picture book is a lovely one for the younger kids. I read it in a rush with a few others so may come back for a more detailed review.

CONTENT:
No issues.