Review - Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors
by Hena Khan
illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Date: 2012
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Magnificently capturing the colorful world of Islam for the youngest readers, this breathtaking and informative picture book celebrates Islam's beauty and traditions. From a red prayer rug to a blue hijab, everyday colors are given special meaning as young readers learn about clothing, food, and other important elements of Islamic culture, with a young Muslim girl as a guide. Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is equally at home in a classroom reading circle as it is being read to a child on a parent's lap.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I read Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes a couple of years ago, and quite liked it. Our library just got Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, even though it came out years earlier. I'm glad I got a chance to have a look at it, because it's just as strong as its companion.

The illustrations are lovely and clear and really help set off the text. I also like that there's a glossary at the back that offers a little more explanation of the terms used in the book, many of which non-Muslim readers won't be familiar with.

Overall, this is a strong picture book that highlights Muslim traditions. I would definitely recommend it, along with Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes
by Hena Khan
illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Date: 2018
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

From a crescent moon to a square garden to an octagonal fountain, this breathtaking picture book celebrates the shapes--and traditions--of the Muslim world. Sure to inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures, Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets is equally at home in a classroom reading circle and on a parent's lap being read to a child.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a beautiful little book that I happened to see at the library. At first, I thought it might be aimed at toddlers (considering that it's a "book of shapes"), but it would probably be a little better suited to children who are a bit older.

The illustrations are really gorgeous, incorporating a diverse cast of Muslim characters from all over the world, along with shapes and patterns and arabesques that give the book a unique flavour. If I had one complaint, it was that I didn't realize there was a glossary at the back, and I was confused throughout much of my first reading because there were a lot of words I didn't understand. Because of that, I thought that the book might only be suitable for Muslim children whose parents could explain these words. But after I found the glossary, I went back and read the book again, and it all made sense.

Overall, this is a great little picture book for teaching children about the art and architecture of Islam. I'd definitely recommend this one!

Quotable moment:

Oval is the table
where we break our fast.
When the sun sets,
it's iftar time at last.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5