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Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Color Them Courageous

When the crest of the hill is reached each day, a breathtaking panorama spreads before you.  A vast stretch of water extends farther than your eyes can see.  In places, without land, the sky meets the water.  Lake Michigan, here at the tip of the Mitt, is a reflection of the moods of the sky, giving viewers hues of blue and sometimes imbued with gray.

To see this, really see it, causes a shift in your attitude.  It supplies you with calm and strength.  It reaches out to you, lending you its power.  And make no mistake, this body of water is powerful.  For this reason, this book, The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family (Little, Brown and Company, September 10, 2019) written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali and with art by Hatem Aly, made a mark on my heart.  When your eyes blur with tears reading a book, you know it's touched you emotionally.

MAMA HOLDS OUT THE PINK.  MAMA LOVES PINK.
But Asiya shakes her head.
I know why.

The young narrator's older sister is selecting her first-day hijab.  She knows Asiya will favor the bright blue hijab because it's like the ocean and the sky blending as one.  When they leave for school the next day, Faizah knows it will be 

the most beautiful first day of school ever

because she is carrying her new backpack and wearing her light-up shoes but Asiya is wearing her bright blue hijab.

Faizah counts fourteen steps to cross the street, and gazes after her sister, who looks like royalty, as she greets her friends entering sixth grade with her.  In her heart of hearts, Faizah knows her first-day hijab will be the same color as her older sister's hijab.  In line with the younger students, a girl turns to Faizah, whispering a question about her sister's hijab.

For every thought, word or reply spoken during this first day, Faizah counters in her mind with a response further describing her sister's hijab and comparing it to the sky and the ocean.  She also remembers the guidance given by their mother on the importance of wearing a hijab on the first day.  Cruel laughter before school, and taunts at recess do not deter Faizah nor her older sister, Asiya.  

After school Faizah waits for Asiya, and listens for whispers, laughter or taunts.  There are none.  Together the sisters walk hand-in-hand to their home.  As they look at each other, Faizah feels her sister's strength envelope her; a strength born of faith.


When you begin this story written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali  you immediately understand the depth of the bond between the sisters.  By having the younger sister, Faizah, tell us about the first day of school, we are able to experience all the emotions she feels.  It is an intimate portrayal.

The storytelling rhythm supplied by the whispers, laughter and taunts coupled with Faizah's thoughts and her mother's wisdom are moving and powerful for all readers of all ages.  The symbolism of the hijab in comparison to the sky and ocean is marvelous.  There is also a wonderful light-heartedness and joy in Faizah's counting of her steps from one place to the next. Here is a passage.

Asiya's hijab isn't a laugh.
Asiya's hijab is like the ocean waving to the sky.
It's always there, strong and friendly.

Some people won't understand your hijab, Mama had said.
But if you understand who you are, one day they will too.


The illustrations rendered by artist Hatem Aly are beautiful in their depiction, interpretation and elevation of this story. The design of extending Asiya's hijab into an ocean with waves on the front of the matching dust jacket and book case and then changing it to a sky with clouds on the back is brilliant.  In the white space above the sky on the back sits a glowing sun with words introducing the essence of the story.  The ISBN is placed inside one of the clouds.  The look of self-confidence on Asiya's face and the gaze of adoration on Faizah's face are our first glimpse of the tie between these sisters.  Placing Faizah in the paper boat made of notebook paper is pure wonderfulness.  The title text on the front of the jacket is varnished and raised.

These pictures were made

digitally; the textures were done with ink washes and pencil on watercolor paper.  

The opening and closing endpapers begin and offer a continuation of the story.  On the first Faizah, Asiya and their mother are going to the shop to purchase the hijab.  On the last, the girls are near a school bus with their parents waving in the yard of their home.  On the dedication page opposite the title text, they are inside the shop looking at the display of hijabs.

The images are double-page pictures with a few full-page visuals.  Hatem Aly alters his perspective for dramatic effect.  The close-ups of Asiya in her hijab are lovely.  At times the surrounding elements are softer and lighter in color to allow the characters to draw our focus.

To show those students laughing and taunting with yells with no details is fantastic.  They are presented as a blend of darker purples, almost like shadows.  This gives them no power over Asiya, Faizah or Asiya's friends.  It is in keeping with their mother's words of advice. 

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is when Faizah is drawing in her classroom.  The girl who whispered a question to her in line is sitting next to her admiring her picture.  Their teacher is looking over their shoulders.  The girls and the teacher are on the right of this double-page picture.  On the left, crossing the gutter and for a portion of the right is Faizah's drawing.  Gorgeous shades of turquoise billow from a golden grass which is an extension of the girl's table.  On the turquoise is a picnic blanket spread with a feast.  Faizah and Asiya are seated together, each wearing a bright blue hijab with crowns above their heads like princesses.  There are white etchings in the turquoise of accents in the clouds, birds and grass.  It almost looks like scratchboard.


I freely admit the first time reading this book, The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali and with art by Hatem Aly, tears filled my eyes for several reasons.  This story of family and faith is very moving.  That children are the subject of whispers, laughter and taunts because of their clothing, skin color or faith has always been heartbreaking.  My hope is that those broken people who do this to people will heal and see the beauty within others regardless of their clothing, skin color or faith.  I believe this book will help to mend and provide valuable insight.   I can't imagine a collection, personal or professional, without a copy of this book.

To learn more about Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali and Hatem Aly and their other work, please visit their respective websites by following the links attached to their names.  Ibtihaj Muhammad has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  S. K. Ali has accounts on Instagram and Twitter. Hatem Aly has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  For articles and interviews with Ibtihaj Muhammad please follow links to WBUR, BUSTLE, and the TODAY show.

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