Abdul's Story
$18.99
- Width:
- 10.00 (in)
- Height:
- 0.30 (in)
- Depth:
- 10.00 (in)
- Gift wrapping:
- Options available
- Age Range:
- Pre-K - 2nd Level (2-5 Years)
- Author:
- Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
- Format:
- Hardback
- Grade Level:
- K-5 Grade;preschool
- Illustrator:
- Tiffany Rose
- Language:
- English
- Publisher:
- Salaam Reads (Simon and Schuster)
A 2022 New York Public Library Best Book for Kids! A little boy who loves storytelling but struggles with writing learns that it’s okay to make mistakes in this charming and encouraging picture book from the author of Mommy’s Khimar. Abdul, a kid with skin the color of the orange of a sunset and a hairstyle cut high and tight, is full of stories, and his classmates clamor for them. The residents of his neighborhood star in these stories because Abdul observes everything and misses little. An author visits his class, sending Abdul into a tailspin of worry. Some letters challenge him; he erases a lot; he makes a mess on the page. The teacher, Mr. Muhammad, shows Abdul his own messy notebook, and opens the boy's mind up to rewriting, and reworking, until the story on the page matches Abdul's ideals. That one adult can turn a child away from self-loathing to self-realization is a common theme, but it's transcendent here. There is no epiphany, no abrupt connection but instead loads of hard work and compassion, as well as patience. In the cheerful illustrations, the classroom is full of supporting characters of many backgrounds, but this is definitely Abdul's story.
A realistic look at what it takes to improve, this book will find a wide audience among other children who have struggled with words.—Kimberly Olson Fakih
A realistic look at what it takes to improve, this book will find a wide audience among other children who have struggled with words.—Kimberly Olson Fakih
About the Author and Illustrator
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow is a Philadelphia-based educator and children’s book author. Her works, which center young Black Muslim protagonists, have been recognized and critically praised by many trusted voices in literature, including American Library Association, School Library Journal, and NPR. Her books include Mommy’s Khimar and Your Name is a Song, and she is a contributor to the Once Upon an Eid anthology.
Tiffany Rose is a teacher, world traveler, and the left-handed author/illustrator of M is for Melanin. She is also the illustrator of Abdul’s Story, All I Need to Be, and Hurry Kate, or You’ll Be Late. Tiffany is passionate about creating art and meaningful stories that reflect the everyday experiences of underrepresented voices in children’s literature. Tiffany currently lives and works in Shanghai, China. She’s a lover of coffee, wanderlust, massive curly afros, and children being their imaginative, quirky, free selves.29