"I help hang my very own
painting
on the wall of her colorful
home.
Auntie's hair is streaked
pink and purple -
a fine work of art she can
comb."
The young girl who narrates this book invites readers into her Muslim-American world, and offers a look at the women in her family and in her community. Each one of them is an inspiration to a young girl finding her way in a world that often doesn't understand the significance of the hijab.
Her grandmother is first. She is a baker who wears a carefully folded hijab as she works baking bread, buns and pies. When the two are on their own at Grandma's house, there is no hijab. Her mother, a doctor, wears hers tucked into her white coat as she tends to her patients. At home, her hair is plaited in a long braid as she works planting flowers in pots. With each introduction of someone of importance in her life, the pattern plays out. While out and about, a hijab is worn; at home, the audience sees what the hijab has covered.
The hijabs worn are as varied as are the women who wear them. Aaliya Jaleel's digital artwork is bright, warm and provides a perfect pairing with the child's narrative. Character shines through - in the style of the hajib itself, and in the hair style that is unique to each of these special women.
An endnote adds:
"Hijab is a common word for the headscarf that millions of Muslim women wear to cover their hair and often their ears, necks, and chests. They may choose to dress in the hijab to reflect their faith, to feel closer to God, or because they believe their religion requires them to keep those parts of the body private."
Learning more by reading meaningful books helps to dispel misconceptions that we may have about cultures other than our own. The more informed we are, the more empathetic and willing to take a stand when negative feelings are expressed out of misunderstanding and ignorance.
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