What do you think?
Rate this book
My Grandma and Me
In a true tale of a young girl in Iran and her grandmother, this beautiful ode to family celebrates small moments of love that become lifelong memories. In this big universe full of many moons, I have travelled and seen many wonders, but I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love my grandma . While Mina is growing up in Iran, the centre of her world is her grandmother. Whether visiting friends next door, going to the mosque for midnight prayers during Ramadan, or taking an imaginary trip around the planets, Mina and her grandma are never far apart... At once deeply personal and utterly universal, this story is a love letter of the rarest the kind that shares a bit of its warmth with every reader.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 7, 2019
2 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Mina Javaherbin
8 books13 followersMina Javaherbin was born in Iran and immigrated to the United States, where she is now a practicing architect. She lives in Southern California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 21, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a very sweet and oddly informational book. Oddly in a fantastic way. I found this book informative because it opened up to me a culture I don’t know a lot about. Oh sure, I see what’s in the news; I see what others say and think… This book looks at the relationship between a child and a grandmother in a different culture with different religious, cultural and political beliefs. Sure there is all that, but let’s set that aside for just a moment and look at the bones of this book–the stuff that holds it together as a story.
Here, you have a grandmother and grandchild who share a special bond despite all those previously mentioned things swirling around “outside” their special life. They love each other tremendously–you can see it in the writing written from the perspective of a sweet, innocent child. This child enjoys her grandmother as most children her age should. This child’s time spent with her grandmother is precious.
Along with the relationship, you learn a bit about their life in Iran, such as how bread is delivered to their home, and some terminology is introduced such as “namaz,” or “mosque,” or “chador.” You learn about friendships and spending time laughing and drinking coffee, building ‘rocket ships’ out of chadors, something our children may call a ‘fort’ often made out of blankets.
People in many countries have tried to ostracize those with different beliefs and cultures simply because they are not like their own. What is often forgotten, is that we are all human and relate to each other and those in our own families in very similar fashions as many cultures do. In this book, this child dreams of flying a plane, flying a space ship, exploring space…
While eating cookies, grandma listens to the child’s dreams, and active-imagination. During Ramadan, grandma fasts… during Lent, Catholics fast… I think people need to focus on more similarities we share as a species and less on how terrible differences between cultures are.
Sure, there are fanatics all over the world and many people have done horrific things in the name of religion, beliefs, differences… I am not speaking about those humans…
This book introduces diversity in culture, in relationships and understanding more about who we are, and mostly, about acceptance.
Let us be less cruel and more understanding and smile at beautiful stories like this one and share what they have to offer. This is a beautiful book.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a very sweet and oddly informational book. Oddly in a fantastic way. I found this book informative because it opened up to me a culture I don’t know a lot about. Oh sure, I see what’s in the news; I see what others say and think… This book looks at the relationship between a child and a grandmother in a different culture with different religious, cultural and political beliefs. Sure there is all that, but let’s set that aside for just a moment and look at the bones of this book–the stuff that holds it together as a story.
Here, you have a grandmother and grandchild who share a special bond despite all those previously mentioned things swirling around “outside” their special life. They love each other tremendously–you can see it in the writing written from the perspective of a sweet, innocent child. This child enjoys her grandmother as most children her age should. This child’s time spent with her grandmother is precious.
Along with the relationship, you learn a bit about their life in Iran, such as how bread is delivered to their home, and some terminology is introduced such as “namaz,” or “mosque,” or “chador.” You learn about friendships and spending time laughing and drinking coffee, building ‘rocket ships’ out of chadors, something our children may call a ‘fort’ often made out of blankets.
People in many countries have tried to ostracize those with different beliefs and cultures simply because they are not like their own. What is often forgotten, is that we are all human and relate to each other and those in our own families in very similar fashions as many cultures do. In this book, this child dreams of flying a plane, flying a space ship, exploring space…
While eating cookies, grandma listens to the child’s dreams, and active-imagination. During Ramadan, grandma fasts… during Lent, Catholics fast… I think people need to focus on more similarities we share as a species and less on how terrible differences between cultures are.
Sure, there are fanatics all over the world and many people have done horrific things in the name of religion, beliefs, differences… I am not speaking about those humans…
This book introduces diversity in culture, in relationships and understanding more about who we are, and mostly, about acceptance.
Let us be less cruel and more understanding and smile at beautiful stories like this one and share what they have to offer. This is a beautiful book.
September 3, 2019
In this beautiful book, Javaherbin tells the sweet story of her relationship with her grandma when she was a child. Since her grandma lived with her family, the two spent a lot of time together. The story takes place in Iran giving the tale a multicultural flavor. But it's the tender relationship between a loving, kind grandma and her granddaughter that really shines here. Together they pray (or rather grandma prays and granddaughter climbs on her back), shop, visit the neighbors (a friend for grandma and a friend for her) are among the activities the two enjoy together. I had to laugh when I read about how she used her grandma's chadors (Islamic religious covering) to build a rocket ship or pretend to be a super-astro-explorer. The illustrations are exquisite, beautifully highlighting the interactions between the two characters. A work of art from beginning to end and a book that highlights a familiar relationship within a perhaps unfamiliar culture. Note : there are some religious elements in the story as the grandma is a devout Muslim and eventually takes the child to the mosque to celebrate Ramadan. I also appreciated how the story shows a cross-religion friendship.
September 19, 2023
Gorgeous. I stumbled on it because our library had it as a read along. Such a beautiful story about grandmothers, culture, and childhood. Informational without being overly pushy.
The reader had a lovely voice too.
The reader had a lovely voice too.
December 18, 2021
For anyone who loves their grandma, this book is for you. The author recounts her life growing up with her grandmother, how much she adored and emulated her. This book is also a lovely picture of how one Iranian Muslim grew up, with mentions of prayers and holidays. She and her grandmother are best friends with a Christian family, and there are some very sweet moments that remark upon these relationships. Given the islamophobia in the US and the prevalence of Christianity, I think this is a great book to have on our shelves. One of the pages says, "The next morning when I saw Annette, she whispered a secret to me: 'Last night at the church, my grandma prayed for your grandma to go to heaven!' My eyes widened. 'My grandma did the same thing at the mosque!' Annette and I looked up. Our grandmas were talking and drinking coffee together. I could imagine them knitting and laughing together anywhere -- on Earth, on Mars, or in heaven." This book is not preachy in its inclusion of religion, it is included as just one aspect of life.
I was really drawn to the art. It is listed as "mixed media" and to me it looks like a combination of pen & ink with watercolor. There are so many gorgeous patterns and plants in this book! It is colorful and details. There is a fair amount of text, so not a great pick for a story time, but definitely a book to highlight. Normally I'd shy away from highlighting a book that depicts any religion, but I feel differently about this one.
I was really drawn to the art. It is listed as "mixed media" and to me it looks like a combination of pen & ink with watercolor. There are so many gorgeous patterns and plants in this book! It is colorful and details. There is a fair amount of text, so not a great pick for a story time, but definitely a book to highlight. Normally I'd shy away from highlighting a book that depicts any religion, but I feel differently about this one.
August 30, 2020
This is one of the most beautiful picture books I've read in a long time. The illustrations are stunning, the protagonist and her grandmother are charming, and the storytelling offers children (and adults!) wonderful insight into both Iranian and Muslim culture. This one is definitely going on my bookshelf.
April 26, 2020
Now an adult, Mina lovingly remembers her grandmother who was living with her family during her childhood. As a child, Mina loved to do everything her grandma does. Every morning, Mina and her grandmother would greet the day with prayer. Afterward, they would await the delivery of their daily bread, part of which they would share with their neighbors, Mina's best friend Annette and her grandmother. Later, in the garden, while grandmas knitted, Mina and Annette played. When grandma sewed some new chadors, Mina would use the chadors to build a pretend rocket ship, draping them on the table. During Ramadan, Mina always ate with her grandmother, even when she was too young to fast. Grandma sewed Mina's first chador when she was older and together they walked to the mosque. There, grandma prayed that Annette's grandmother would go to heaven, and at church, Annette's grandmother prayed that Mina's grandma would also go to heaven. This warm tribute to her grandmother is also a nice introduction to Islamic traditions and an inclusive Iran unfamiliar to today's kids. The mixed media illustrations are done in soft pastels with lots of Persian elements included. This is an engaging story that should get kids talking about the things they like to do with their own grandparents.
December 4, 2019
Charming beautiful book introduces us to muslims and some wonderful memories of Iran.
Read
December 26, 2019This beautiful, simple picture book celebrates the special relationship between a girl and her grandmother in Iran.
August 20, 2019
This book was fine but in case anyone who orders for 200s is wondering, religion is not the main focus.
August 3, 2019
Although some of the experiences and practices described in this autobiographical picture book might seem quite different from those of some readers, other experiences will feel quite familiar. In its pages, the author describes the close bond she shared with her grandmother in Iran and how she followed her everywhere, mimicking whatever the older woman did. She doesn't describe tales of wild adventures but of gentle nut meaningful moments: waking up to pray, visiting a neighbor and her daughter, purchasing fresh bread in an innovative way. She even "helps" her grandmother as she sews her chadors while engaging in imaginative play. Religion is also important to the author and her grandmother as they fast during Ramadan and visit the mosque. Mina even notices that her grandmother prays for her best friend and leaves food for a homeless man on the street. It's clear that the example with which her grandmother provided her has left an impact on her and that it is those small moments of times shared together that turn out to mean the most years later. The mixed media illustrations are filled with rich colors and symbols, and I would imagine that anyone who reads this book will be touched and want to reach out to their own beloved grandmothers or someone who means a lot to them. The words in the text are soothing, meaningful, and carefully chosen.
September 2, 2019
While this is a very specific story and setting from actual childhood memories in Iran, the experiences and activities and resonance of emotion are universal.
Note this line form the narrative:
"In this big universe full of many moons, I have traveled and seen many wonders, but I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love my grandma."
The opportunity to see special and unforgettable daily experiences unfold within this less familiar cultural context offers an invitation to recognize and appreciate our common humanity. It also reveals the similarity of childhood experiences on a global basis, embedding the beauty of the Iranian cultural images and practices within a story that feels like our own.
I can easily see this being a gift to a grandma with the addition of a personal note inscribed about your own specific memories. Likely, many of your memories will mirror those noted in the pages of this book: quilts, cookies, playmates and prayers, to suggest only a few.
As the quote above indicates, the text is lyrical and loving, the illustrations are delightfully detailed and subdued. And the story arc feels a bit like an extension of the book I featured in my previous post about the world-changing power of openhearted perspectives.
Note this line form the narrative:
"In this big universe full of many moons, I have traveled and seen many wonders, but I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love my grandma."
The opportunity to see special and unforgettable daily experiences unfold within this less familiar cultural context offers an invitation to recognize and appreciate our common humanity. It also reveals the similarity of childhood experiences on a global basis, embedding the beauty of the Iranian cultural images and practices within a story that feels like our own.
I can easily see this being a gift to a grandma with the addition of a personal note inscribed about your own specific memories. Likely, many of your memories will mirror those noted in the pages of this book: quilts, cookies, playmates and prayers, to suggest only a few.
As the quote above indicates, the text is lyrical and loving, the illustrations are delightfully detailed and subdued. And the story arc feels a bit like an extension of the book I featured in my previous post about the world-changing power of openhearted perspectives.
June 14, 2021
This is a very ambient book set in Iran all about the relationship between a young girl and her grandmother, who she thinks is just the best ever. It also explores the dynamic of best friendship between people of different faiths which is interesting. It’s a short quiet story that is more a remembrance than a narrative, but the illustrations are rich and engaging with amazing rugs and other details of life in a Persian household.
There’s a lot of reference to praying, going to mosque, and one part about going to heaven, which as a non- religious family I wondered if it was going to open up a bunch of discussion, but it didn’t really come up. Nice story. Will definitely look for others from both the author and illustrator.
There’s a lot of reference to praying, going to mosque, and one part about going to heaven, which as a non- religious family I wondered if it was going to open up a bunch of discussion, but it didn’t really come up. Nice story. Will definitely look for others from both the author and illustrator.
October 17, 2019
Aww! What a charming book, filled with illustrations that lovingly capture a time and place that may be unfamiliar to readers. A sweet story about the treasured relationship between grandmother and granddaughter.
Read
January 15, 2022A young girl's really gentle and loving look at her grandmother. The illustrations support the text nicely. This would be a really lovely book for anyone who wants to celebrate their relationship with their grandmother.
Note: the story focuses on Iranian culture.
Note: the story focuses on Iranian culture.
August 9, 2019
The author tells the story of growing up in Iran at her grandmother’s side. Mina followed her grandmother everywhere. She woke with her at dawn when they prayed together. They bought bread from the delivery boy every morning by lowering baskets from their third-floor window. Mina’s best friend lived next door and their grandmothers were best friends too. The grandmothers prayed for one another to go to heaven at their respective mosque and church. Mina’s grandmother sewed all of her own chadors which Mina used to create a rocket ship when she draped them over the table. When her grandmother fasted for Ramadan, Mina was too little to fast for an entire day. So she joined her grandmother in eating at dawn and then after dusk too in addition to her regular meals. The love the two have for one another shines in this picture book.
Javaherbin opens the world of Iran to readers in the United States. Her memories of spending time with her grandmother are filled with moments of real connection, of quality time spent together side-by-side, of support and of true adoration for one another. The moments are beautifully small and everyday, showing how love is built throughout our lives, not in grand gestures but in the smallest ones.
The illustrations by Yankey are done in mixed media. They incorporate textiles and patterns. The warm glow on every page invites readers into a loving home. The illustrations are delicate and filled with details.
A beautiful look at the love of grandmother and grandchild. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Javaherbin opens the world of Iran to readers in the United States. Her memories of spending time with her grandmother are filled with moments of real connection, of quality time spent together side-by-side, of support and of true adoration for one another. The moments are beautifully small and everyday, showing how love is built throughout our lives, not in grand gestures but in the smallest ones.
The illustrations by Yankey are done in mixed media. They incorporate textiles and patterns. The warm glow on every page invites readers into a loving home. The illustrations are delicate and filled with details.
A beautiful look at the love of grandmother and grandchild. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
December 13, 2020
Let's take a look at the beautiful and heartfelt My Grandma and Me by Mina Javaherbin and Lindsey Yankey, a loving, richly descriptive autobiographical story of the deep bond and love young Mina has for her grandma. While growing up in Iran, Mina does just about everything with her grandma: cooking, praying, sweeping, telling stories, watching her grandma sew her own chadors, and even fasting together during Ramadan when Mina is a bit older. Javaherbin's storytelling is so affecting; a detailed and personal story yet one that will likely be readily felt by anyone who has a grandmother they love or have loved and treasured. Yankey's illustrations are beautifully ornate yet soft, drawing readers in to Mina's story from the opening. Speaking as a reader, My Grandma and Me has brought me so much joy and happy remembrance of my own grandmothers who I was very lucky to have known and loved.
em>I received a copy of this title courtesy of Candlewick Press/Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
April 10, 2019
This is a gentle, eloquent story that is uniquely personal and universal at the same time. An autobiographical picture book, it clearly demonstrates a gift of love between generations and the impact that has in the lives of both young and old. The importance of imagination, understanding and the time to just be together shine through on each page. As Grandma and Mina visit their neighbours, the depth of friendship and similarities that hold much more power than differences is portrayed with great expression. A beautiful book to share, it holds a space where we see that it is the small moments that become lifelong memories. It brings the youngest readers (and older ones, too) to a country and culture that is rarely seen in picture books and opens an opportunity for curiosity, compassion and understanding to grow. The illustrations are rendered with a subtle, yet rich palette, loaded with evocative detail. It is easy to lose yourself among the pages. Above all of this, it is a story of love between a grandparent and grandchild...and that is a rare enough gift. All of this is expressed quietly, making it a very special story. Warmhearted, exquisite and wise...what a joy!
June 9, 2022
"Grandchildren are for grandparents" and this book can help you reflect "How?" Having grandma is such a blessing that you can only understand if your grandma lives far away and you didn't visit her in a while (Global pandemic and grandmas living in other countries? I can understand very well).
.
Fasting through the beautiful month of Ramadan with Irani grandma, praying while wearing Chador, visiting mosque and feeding poor is something that you will see in my grandma and me published by Penguin Random House
.
Beautiful autobiographic tale where you will learn about Muslim and Christian grandmas being friends. There are very few titles about Muslim Grandma and this is our most favorite one now
.
Praying with your grandma (or probably on top of her?), old grandma sewing machine to stitch her chador, playing hopscotch and like every child's imagination for grandma's chador to make rocket or to fly with it to reach moon (I challenge you must have done this too and watching your kids doing the same).
.
I enjoyed to see beautiful and most famous Irani carpets, Hijabi women, to receive fresh bread without leaving 3rd apartment with your "basket" from bread delivery boy.
.
Fasting through the beautiful month of Ramadan with Irani grandma, praying while wearing Chador, visiting mosque and feeding poor is something that you will see in my grandma and me published by Penguin Random House
.
Beautiful autobiographic tale where you will learn about Muslim and Christian grandmas being friends. There are very few titles about Muslim Grandma and this is our most favorite one now
.
Praying with your grandma (or probably on top of her?), old grandma sewing machine to stitch her chador, playing hopscotch and like every child's imagination for grandma's chador to make rocket or to fly with it to reach moon (I challenge you must have done this too and watching your kids doing the same).
.
I enjoyed to see beautiful and most famous Irani carpets, Hijabi women, to receive fresh bread without leaving 3rd apartment with your "basket" from bread delivery boy.
August 11, 2019
This heart warming story presents a granddaughter's remembrances of her childhood in Iran where she describes the time she spent with her grandma and her neighbors. Mina's grandmother prays frequently and shares kindnesses with others, sharing bread and conversation with her Christian neighbor and providing food for a homeless man. The illustrations are lovely with soft colors which provide a warm and cozy feeling. The illustrations show the grandmas with identical coloring even though the text describes Annette's grandma's silver hair. Mina and Annette look like sisters, same features and coloring, and the grandmothers look identical too, except one has a chador and the other has on a dress with her hair in a bun. This is an excellent title to use when discussing family values, tolerance, and respect for other religions. Mina's grandmother prays for her church going neighbor to go to heaven and Annette's grandmother does the same for her neighbor. Recommended for preschool through third grades.
January 31, 2020
MY GRANDMA AND ME is a book about an Iranian grandmother modeling her way of life to her granddaughter, and it’s also about humanity and interfaith friendships.
Mina Javaherbin’s text is rhythmic and thoughtful. Lindsey Yankey’s mixed media illustrations are luminous and intricate. It’s a warming story.
I especially love that there are two grandmother friends in this story who are of different faiths.
Together they make blankets for people who are in need and share food and community.
And every night, each grandmother prays to the God she worships for her friend to go to heaven.
And that’s what struck me most about MY GRANDMA AND ME.
That underneath our differences, at the heart we are mostly the same. Woven of skin and bones, dreams and strivings, and each adorned with unique passions and perspectives that all together make up a pretty stunning tapestry.
Love has a way of weaving us together, and MY GRANDMA AND ME shows this beautifully.
Mina Javaherbin’s text is rhythmic and thoughtful. Lindsey Yankey’s mixed media illustrations are luminous and intricate. It’s a warming story.
I especially love that there are two grandmother friends in this story who are of different faiths.
Together they make blankets for people who are in need and share food and community.
And every night, each grandmother prays to the God she worships for her friend to go to heaven.
And that’s what struck me most about MY GRANDMA AND ME.
That underneath our differences, at the heart we are mostly the same. Woven of skin and bones, dreams and strivings, and each adorned with unique passions and perspectives that all together make up a pretty stunning tapestry.
Love has a way of weaving us together, and MY GRANDMA AND ME shows this beautifully.
September 10, 2019
In every culture, grandmas and grandchildren share a very special bond. This time Mina Javaherbin lets a young girl share all the wonderful things she shares with her grandma, up early for prayers, going to the Mosque together, playing under a table draped with all her grandma's chadors, and visiting best friends that include one for both. The mix of Iranian and Islamic traditions of the grandma and the Christian traditions of her best friend show the loving ways that connect all of us. It is full of things in this culture that connect to all cultures, eating, playing and praying together. Lindsey Yankey's weaving of parts of Iranian culture in her illustrations adds to the story, but the love between the grandmother and granddaughter is universal. There is a sweet note at the back from the author.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy.
January 13, 2020
A beautiful look into the Muslim culture, making it easy for the reader to see similarities and differences in their world.
This is Javaherbin's autobiographical story of the relationship she had with her grandmother when living in Iran. As a result, she does not including any other family members - only others outside of the family that they might interact with. Together, the two go about their day together doing errands and chores, visiting the next door neighbor (Annette and her grandmother), and playing games of pretend that children play.
The soft, sweet story feels genuine, with only the best memories being shared. Javaherbin's text is simple and straightforward, moving ahead in time during the book. Lindsey Yankey's mixed media artwork is exquisite in its intricacy and patterning, beautiful colors, and composition.
Recommended for grades K-4.
This is Javaherbin's autobiographical story of the relationship she had with her grandmother when living in Iran. As a result, she does not including any other family members - only others outside of the family that they might interact with. Together, the two go about their day together doing errands and chores, visiting the next door neighbor (Annette and her grandmother), and playing games of pretend that children play.
The soft, sweet story feels genuine, with only the best memories being shared. Javaherbin's text is simple and straightforward, moving ahead in time during the book. Lindsey Yankey's mixed media artwork is exquisite in its intricacy and patterning, beautiful colors, and composition.
Recommended for grades K-4.
June 3, 2021
This is a good book that shows life in Iran and also shows the relationship between a girl and her grandmother. It also shows the relationship between neighbors next-door or the little girls and the grandma‘s are best friends. I assume the neighbors are Christian but it doesn’t specifically say. A little girl and her grandmother are Muslim. I like the where at Shaws getting bread through the baskets and the illustrations have beautiful patterned rugs and fabric in a lot of places. And has different cultural references and talks a little bit about Ramadan and going to the mosque.For some reason the cover and the illustrations made me feel like this book was older than 2019. A good addition to a library.
January 11, 2020
A lovely intergenerational story set in Iran featuring Muslim grandmother and granddaughter. Cultural information is included in the gentle story, eg the little girl uses many of her grandmother's chadors to drape over chairs and make an imaginary rocket ship. US kids will relate to this variation of the blanket fort many of them have probably made. Once, on the way home from the mosque, the grandmother leaves food for a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk. Again, US readers will hopefully relate and understand this peaceful family story - a challenge to the images and messages they may see and hear about the Middle East.
April 28, 2020
My Grandma and Me is a beautiful autobiography by Mina Javaherbin, who has many loving memories of her grandmother. In her book, she shares memories of growing up in Iran with her grandmother. The readers get insight into the Muslim faith, as her grandmother wakes every morning for prayers. It quickly discusses Ramadan and introduces readers to Urdu vocabulary. However, there was not a glossary at the end for the reader's understanding. Overall this is a great book for young children to become aware of other cultures. With soft yet beautiful illustrations, the children can look at the pictures to tell most of the story themselves.
October 20, 2020
In this book we are brought into the childhood memories of a girl growing up in Iran with her beloved grandma. We see how they share their days and nights, immersed in religious traditions and tender moments. The girl also tells about her friendship with a neighbor girl, whose grandma is her grandma's best friend. The books has a dreamy sense, a feeling of memory and intimacy, with illustrations that are warm and pretty. There are details that bring us into their world: The baskets that are lowered from apartment windows to be filled at street level with fresh bread, and the chadors that the grandma sews for herself but the girl uses for imaginative play. This book is an ode to the grandparent/grandchild relationship, detailing the connection that is unique to intergenerational love. For me, the one thing that was missing was more of a context of the time period or political atmosphere, as this would ground the story in a more realistic way and help readers to understand the story in a historical context. But perhaps this is not really needed, as it is more a study of a relationship and friendship and human kindness, very universal themes. I read this book by listening to it on Youtube in a video by "The Reading Project."
April 4, 2023
Awww, reading this book is like stepping into a big, warm hug from your grandma. I love how the emphasis is on the little girl's relationship with her grandmother, the deep understanding between them -- you truly feel they are kindred spirits. It also gently weaves in inter-faith friendships as Muslim Mina and her grandmother are friends with Christian neighbors. We see that our similarities are so much more important than our differences -- it is beautiful to see that love and kindness are at the heart of how they live their religions. While not exclusively a Ramadan book, there is mention of the holiday so it would be lovely to read during Ramadan.
October 17, 2021
An exceptionally lovely story about a young Iranian girl’s love and appreciation for her grandmother. Set in Iran with many cultural details that will interest and resonate - everyone loves a basket on a rope! The illustrations are spectacular with layer upon layer of pattern and delicacy of color, texture and line. Additionally there is a message of cross-religious friendship as the girl and her grandmother are Muslim, while the best friends of both are a Christian grandmother and granddaughter. Highly recommended.
October 23, 2019
There aren't many children's books about Iran and the Persian culture. This picture book about the love between a girl and her grandmother is imbued with details of Persian culture, while stressing the universal theme of familial love. In a sub-theme, the grandmother has a close friend who is Christian, and they pray for one another at their worship services. It is a gentle, up-lifting book.
April 13, 2023
This picture book feels like a warm hug. The illustrations and text are sweet and inviting, and the book is about both the main character's relationship with her Muslim grandma and her grandma's friendship with a Christian neighbor. There is also a little bit about Ramadan, although that is not the focus. The book is really sweet and taps into a lot of universal experiences.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews