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A review by readsewknit
Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi
4.0
Meet Yasmin! portrays the adventures of a Pakistani-American girl, filled with the imagination and playfulness of the typical elementary-aged girl. The book is broken up into four stories, with several chapters in each section. Yasmin delves into exploring, painting, building, and fashion.
The illustrations draw in readers and the storylines will resonate with children as a variety of emotions are expressed.
The book closes with a question applicable for each section to aid in conversations; for the first story, when Yasmin gets lost, parents have opportunity to explore the emotions present when a child has fear of being separated, as well as the opportunity to create a plan for any contingency. To go along with the fashionista chapter, parents can talk with their children about favorite games or activities they participate in with relatives. Additionally, there's a glossary for the Urdu words used in the story (several may be familiar to readers already, like naan, hijab, and sari). Facts about Pakistan, a recipe for a popular yogurt drink, and a bookmark craft close out the book.
Representation in literature matters, and having such a book in homes and libraries helps in creating a diverse presence in literature. I may not wear a hijab or have kameez in my wardrobe, but my daughters can make connections with the universal experiences of dressing in mother's clothes. This story could call to mind their Muslim friends from Syria or the classmates from Mexico -- some aspects to our daily lives are different, but they can bridge those differences by reflecting on what they have in common. Perhaps they connect with Yasmin's pressure to perform well in the art contest, or the uncertainty over what she can contribute to the class building project. This book can remove some of the mystery about someone who may look or speak differently and allow for fruitful conversations (which, hopefully, lead to deeper friendships).
(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)
The illustrations draw in readers and the storylines will resonate with children as a variety of emotions are expressed.
The book closes with a question applicable for each section to aid in conversations; for the first story, when Yasmin gets lost, parents have opportunity to explore the emotions present when a child has fear of being separated, as well as the opportunity to create a plan for any contingency. To go along with the fashionista chapter, parents can talk with their children about favorite games or activities they participate in with relatives. Additionally, there's a glossary for the Urdu words used in the story (several may be familiar to readers already, like naan, hijab, and sari). Facts about Pakistan, a recipe for a popular yogurt drink, and a bookmark craft close out the book.
Representation in literature matters, and having such a book in homes and libraries helps in creating a diverse presence in literature. I may not wear a hijab or have kameez in my wardrobe, but my daughters can make connections with the universal experiences of dressing in mother's clothes. This story could call to mind their Muslim friends from Syria or the classmates from Mexico -- some aspects to our daily lives are different, but they can bridge those differences by reflecting on what they have in common. Perhaps they connect with Yasmin's pressure to perform well in the art contest, or the uncertainty over what she can contribute to the class building project. This book can remove some of the mystery about someone who may look or speak differently and allow for fruitful conversations (which, hopefully, lead to deeper friendships).
(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)