Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter - Hardcover

"Gonzales pens an honest, heartfelt text about the beauty of cultural identity, a loving, compassionate reminder to his daughter to embrace all that she is. Although written in simple, lyrical verse, the text conveys a weighty message." -- The Horn Book Magazine * September/October 2017 * "This intensely personal book is not meant as an introduction to Islam; instead, it speaks directly to Muslim children growing up in a place where they may be marked as different-children in need of a voice to recognize and speak for them." * Publisher's Weekly * *"This startling introduction to faith captures the inclusiveness of Islam as do the following spreads showing children of different races and colors juxtaposed against scenes of nature and art. Using collage-style techniques and featuring bold characters, Amini's joyful, boisterous art soars, and readers may well feel they're flying, too. A special book that truly seems to "dance with the wind" and "smile at the sun."" * Booklist, STARRED REVIEW * "A lovely and lush celebration of intersectionality and identity. . . . The connection between the girl and her parents is apparent, and the warmth reverberates off the page. Gonzales's inspirational text is matched perfectly by Amini's vibrant, jewel-toned illustrations. . . .This exaltation of identity will resonate with fans of Patti Kim's Here I Am and Hena Khan's Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns. . . . A strong choice for all picture book collections." * School Library Journal * "A poetic celebration of heritage and faith, past and future, this book is unique for its blend of indigenous, Spanish-speaking cultural content with Muslim religious identity. This book will be cherished by Muslim families seeking to boost their children's confidence and intriguing for non-Muslim families seeking to learn." * Kirkus Reviews *

A Huffington Post Most Powerful Children's Book of 2017 From Muslim and Latino poet Mark Gonzales comes a touching and lyrical picture book about a parent who encourages their child to find joy and pride in all aspects of their multicultural identity. Dear little one, ...know you are wondrous. A child of crescent moons, a builder of mosques, a descendant of brilliance, an ancestor in training. Written as a letter from a father to his daughter, Yo Soy Muslim is a celebration of social harmony and multicultural identities. The vivid and elegant verse, accompanied by magical and vibrant illustrations, highlights the diversity of the Muslim community as well as Indigenous identity. A literary journey of discovery and wonder, Yo Soy Muslim is sure to inspire adults and children alike.