The following is a list of 12 Muslim children’s books that look interesting to read in 2025. This list is mainly based off the cover image, the type of book it is, the price, the description, the unique story and popularity of the book.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve read these books, and what you thought about it!
Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi. It’s rare to find a Muslim graphic novel written and illustrated by one person. The reviews are good, so I’m interested in seeing if my kids would like it. The drawings looks fantastic.
As the month stretches on, Hassan’s family and community grow closer together. They wake up before sunrise every morning, feast when the sun goes down, and attend mosque in the evenings. Can Hassan balance it all during the hectic holy month—faith, tradition, school, and fun, too?
Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi. By this point you all probably have heard the name Saadia Faruqi. She’s a prolific children’s book author perhaps best known for her Yasmin series. My kids recently read a graphic novel written by her called Saving Sunshine.
Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey, Texas—and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win.
Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.
With “Never Forget” banners everywhere and a hostile group of townspeople protesting the new mosque, Yusuf realizes that the country’s anger from two decades ago hasn’t gone away. Can he hold onto his joy—and his friendships—in the face of heartache and prejudice?
Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi. A current bestseller on Amazon with a common premise. Most Muslims in America are either immigrants or children of immigrants, so this story is relatable to most Muslims and I’m expecting it will end with a positive message about embracing your heritage and Islam. Let me know in the comments if I’m right.
His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid—a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent—around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There’s a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.
Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family but can’t make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness.
Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.
Rabia’s Eid by Rukhsana Khan. One of the OGs of the Muslim Children’s Book sphere. Her popular book Big Red Lollipop was written back in 2010. I even did my own version of the cover years back on my instagram. I’m expecting a nice pleasant story for early readers.
Join a young girl and her family in this Step 2 reader as they celebrate Eid-al-fitr, a holiday that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Perfect for readers ages 4-6.
It’s Eid-al-fitr—the last day of Ramadan, which means it is the last day for Rabia to fast with the rest of her family and she has never done it before. Rabia is so excited! She eats just before sunrise and then the day of fasting begins! Rabia gets to have her hands painted with henna, wear a new dress, and put her family’s donation in the box at the mosque. It’s a special Eid all around!
Allah Sees You and Me (Allah and Me Baby Book Series) by Zaheer Khatri and published by Learning Roots. Learning Roots delivers quality books every time. The graphics are very appealing and besides books they also make board games and other similar products. I highly recommend them.
This delightful lift-the-flap book introduces children to Allah and the idea that He sees us no matter where we are.
Through a playful story and colorful animals hiding in their habitats, children discover that wherever we may be, we are always seen by Allah. Join the animals as they discover a wonderful surprise at the end of their journey.
This book contains 8 flaps uncovering a variety of animals, each with an associated color. Through this book, children learn the names of animals, their color, and their habitat. The book ends with a peekaboo concept and a mirror on the last page with the words: “Allah Sees YOU.” The book combines discovery with spiritual connection in an entertaining, physical experience using tactile elements in the book.
The Gift of Eid by Shifa Safadi. If you recognize the name it’s because she’s also the author of Kareem Between. This book is beautifully illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel who illustrated Under my Hijab by Hena khan as well as The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin.
A retelling of the Gift of the Magi, set against the backdrop of the Umayyad Masjid of Damascus, in this picture book from a National Book Award Winner.
With Baba gone, Yasmine doesn’t have enough money to buy Mama’s Eid gift and can’t think of anything she wants for herself when Mama asks. While Mama’s haggling with the baker, she gets an idea. And after exchanging gifts with her mom in the Masjid, Yasmine realizes that true Eid joy comes from being together.
Set in the famous Souq al-Hamidiyeh and the Umayyad Masjid of Damascus, this heartfelt story offers a Muslim background to one of the best-loved stories of all time.
The Beautiful Layers of Me by Sophia Payne. The illustrations have a dreamy feel to them. They look like they were done with colored pencil and water colors.
A young girl gains the confidence to participate in her family’s tradition—and be fully herself—in a vibrant ode to difference and love from a new voice in picture books.
Ameena can’t wait for her auntie’s Nikah. She’s never been to a wedding, and today there is one in her own garden! After putting on the salwar kameez that Babu gave her, with its soft layers of floaty fabric, she feels like a princess, skipping down the garden path. “Oh wow!” comes a friendly voice over the fence. “I wish I had pajamas like that!” Suddenly Ameena, her cheeks hot, starts to wonder: should she wear something else? In a gentle text capturing all the nuances of a first cultural experience, Sophia Payne follows a child’s passage from self-doubt to worry to pride, while Ruchi Mhasane’s expressive illustrations render the wedding garb in glowing colors and patterns that will have young readers wanting to join in the celebration.
Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship by Shifa Safadi. Another book by sister Shifa. It’s 128 pages with lovely illustrations by Aaliya Jaleel. It has an interesting premise that I would enjoy reading to my young daughter insha Allah.
Meet Amina Banana! She’s a determined and clever third grader, and star of a new chapter book series with a STEM twist. Perfect for readers of The Questioneers and Junie B. Jones!
Amina loves bananas, science, and all things yellow! Her family recently arrived from Syria to Indiana, and she’s starting at a brand-new school in a brand-new country. She’s excited but also nervous, especially about making friends! But she develops the perfect formula to get everything just right:
Speak English + wear a perfect outfit + be a good student + eat American food = Make American Friends!
When the first few days are harder than Amina imagined, she’s left worrying: why doesn’t her formula add up?
40 Hadiths for Children by Yasmin Ayub. One problem I had growing up was understanding Islam. Islam is so deep, simple, logical and rational but as a kid I couldn’t relate to it. It’s books like the one above that young kids and even adults can benefit from. Islam is a way of life for all time periods, but somethings needs to be explained in a modern context. Many times we know the verses and the hadiths but we don’t know how to practically apply them. I hope this book by sister Yasmin Ayub does just that.
It is a strong tradition that Muslims learn and memorize at least forty hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. 40 Hadiths for Children is a colorful compilation following this tradition. Each hadith in the book is followed by an explanation and tips. This collection features themes from the importance of prayer and love of Allah to virtuous behaviors as prescribed by the noble Prophet.
Rahim, Wali, and the Wise King by S.V.K. Jungle. I secretly love everything made by Ruqayah’s Bookshelf, so not much more needs to be said. I respect her venturing off and forming her own publishing company. Making quality book after quality book. The illustrations are really stunning and the premise is griping.
A clever fable about patience and finding solutions in unusual places In order to decide which of his two sons would be most suited to run the kingdom during his absence, King Abdullah has assigned them a tricky task to complete! Who will succeed, Rahim or Wali?
Are Butterflies in the Qur’an? by Mariyam Ali Azam.
Inquisitive Safura asks questions about the world around her and seeks to uncover the answers through experience and experimentation. After one question leads to another, she finds herself on a journey of discovery with her Qur’an teacher, Ustadha Aisha, who helps her answer the question, “Are butterflies in the Qur’an?”
Dawud Helps by Sarah Musa.
A touching story about a father and son relying on one another, and on God Dawud watches Papa struggle to make ends meet, and he wishes he could help. But Papa insists that he is still too young. Suddenly, Papa has an accident and can’t work. They go for a walk along the bank of the Rio Grande. On the way, Papa discovers how much Dawud has grown and how helpful he can be. Ages 4+, 36 pages, softcover Written by Sarah Musa Please look us up on Instagram, Facebook, and Facebook Marketplace under Raising Ummah Bookstore.
That’s our list of interesting books to buy in 2025. Some of these were published this year and others the years before. They all seem interesting and I’ll be keeping my eye out for them at my local library and as gifts for my children insha Allah.
Help us to make more Islamic material for our ummah. Check out our Muslim children’s books! Jazaka Allahu khayran!
A fun moral comic for kids