The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
By Ibtihaj Muhammad
With S. K. Ali
Art by Hatem Aly
Little, Brown and Company, 2019. Picture Book.

Asiya is choosing her first hijab while at a hijab store with her mother and younger sister (Faizah). Asiya chooses one that is the “brightest blue.” The next day they go to school and Faizah loves to look at the beautiful hijab that Asiya is wearing—only it isn’t as loved by the rest of the students at school. Faizah’s friend ask about the hijab. Later Faizah notices that other older students are teasing Asiya and she is worried about how Asiya will react. But Asiya is “strong” and doesn’t let the hurtful words get her down. This is a beautiful story with equally striking illustrations that shows various reactions to a young girl starting to wear her first hijab. Readers who want to talk to youngsters about tolerance and why a girl wears hijabs will want to check out this book. Readers who wear hijabs or who have family who wears hijabs will want to read this book to see themselves and their strong community portrayed in this book.

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