What a lovely book this is! The daughter’s love and admiration for her mother shine through on every page of Ebony Glenn’s beautifully vibrant illustrations. It’s a tender story of how the daughter loves to wear her mommy’s khimar (also known as a hijab, or headscarf) because it makes her feel like a superhero, a queen, and a mother bird– in short, it makes her feel like her beloved mom.
What I love most about this book is that it features diversity without being didactic. The author, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, does mention at one point that, while the family is Muslim, the grandmother is Christian, but they all get along anyway; however, this is not the focus of the story. Instead, it’s simply a charming portrayal of the mother and daughter’s love for each other, symbolized by elegant headscarves. The message here is that wearing a khimar is normal, beautiful– not repressive or to be feared.
While Mommy’s Khimar is an excellent way for young Muslim girls to see themselves reflected in children’s books, it’s also a valuable component of any children’s collection. The universal theme of delight in playing dress-up with your parents’ clothes is sure to connect with all readers, while the underlying message of cultural and religious diversity is important for everyone.
In case you couldn’t tell, I HIGHLY recommend this book! It’s a keeper for sure. I hope you will check it out!