Reviews

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad

notblue's review against another edition

5.0

The illustrations are GORGEOUS and the story is wonderful!

5/5

alittleoverdue's review against another edition

5.0

It's on many "Best of 2019" lists for a reason. The gorgeous blues of the illustrations draw your eyes to the pages. The story celebrates the choice to wear hajib with standing proud in face of discrimination. Important and instructive for all readers to see hajib depicted in an empowering way that honors Muslim culture.

raindrops333's review against another edition

informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

allisoncrutch's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

mg_in_md_'s review against another edition

5.0

I selected this as my pick for the 2020 BookRiot Read Harder Challenge prompt "read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community." I thought the story and illustrations were lovely, and would be an excellent choice for teaching a child about a religious tradition that may be different from their own. The author's note about her own experience growing up is worth a read, especially since she incorporated some real events from her childhood into the story.

carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful illustrations, a beautiful story, and a beautiful message. I absolutely adore that this book is about a little sister being proud of her big sister. While I think the length is a little too long for storytime, I'll absolutely be using this picture book for recommendations.

jaij7's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful book. I absolutely loved the author’s note at the end. Share this story, parents and teachers. Teach love, tolerance, and acceptance.

xsleepyshadows's review against another edition

5.0

A young girl experiences with her sister a coming of age tradition of picking out her(the older sister's) first hijab! Her sister goes with this proud blue - a vibrant color that reminds her of the sky and ocean. She draws pictures in class of her and her sister both wearing the hajab and she is beaming with pride for her sister!

This book also encounters some bullies - the sister is still proud to show her faith and tradition that it can not diminish the beautiful blue, the young sister loves and wants to stand up but finds inner strength ~

Also, be sure to read about the author who is an accomplished american fencer and was the inspiration for the first hijab wearing barbie doll!

lattelibrarian's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this book as a means of conveying culture, community, and color!  Not everybody thinks that Asiya's hijab is as beautiful as Faizah, but Faizah thinks that it's a rich blue color, like the ocean or sky, and that helps her to ignore Asiya's bullies.  Through it all, these two sisters stand together and make it known that they stand firm in what they believe in.  Aly's illustrations, too, are beautiful: they are whimsical and help the pages flow together in big, luminous spreads.  Overall, this is a great book that reinforces the notion that anyone can wear whatever they want and for whatever reason, and great for celebrating differences.  Great for grades 1-3.

Review cross-listed here!

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition

4.0

A good book both for those who wear/will wear a hijab and for non-Muslims to understand.