The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship (The Proudest Blue)

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Mae Faizah a Sophie'n gwneud pâr rhagorol, yn lledu meddylgarwch i bobman, ac mae yna hiwmor tyner yn ymwneud y dosbarth â'i gilydd. Mae'r darluniau'n ddeinamig a lliwgar, gydag ambell edrychiad hyfryd o ddigywilydd ar wynebau'r plant. Mae Faizah hefyd yn ymddangos yn The Proudest Blue, llyfr lluniau ardderchog arall gan yr un creawdwyr.

Hatem Aly's ink-wash and watercolour illustrations perfectly complement the lyricism of Muhammed and Ali's moving text."— The Globe and MailVersions 1-4: Draw/write about how you would make the world you imagine. For example, if you want to live in a “Safe World”, write or draw how you would make the world safe. To connect the Cover Flap and Response Template, place glue on the top gray-rectangle tab marked “glue” on the Response Template. Share what kind of world you want to live in with your family and friends, and ask them what world they want to live in. Share how you can make this world possible. What I loved about the book is when Faizah was down, her friends gathered around her and asked what was wrong and how they could help. I pointed out that in our kindergarten class, some of them are very good at being caring.

This is an absolutely beautiful book – one that is positive and empowering. In the author-illustrator team’s previous book The Proudest Blue, we saw the beautiful bond between sisters Faizah and Asiya and heard the supportive and uplifting words of their mother. In The Kindest Red we see this again throughout the story as we ponder the question posed by Faizah’s teacher, ‘What kind of world would you like to live in?’ A beautiful world? A strong world? A kind world? Faizah wants a kind world, where there's always a friend nearby, where everyone helps. At recess, Sophie and Faizah combine their visions, superheroes and kindness, to help other kids on the playground. When picture time arrives the class is full of smiles, but when it is time for sibling pictures, Faiza and Asiya realize they don't match. Aly's ink-wash-and-pencil illustrations settle and soar along with the language.... This story, as both window and mirror, inevitably educates, but more important, it encourages pride in and respect for hijab through a tale of two sisters, their bond strengthened by faith."— Booklist, starred review Inspiring.... The lovely, playful illustrations by Aly capture the spirit of imagination and sisterly solidarity in the face of bullying."— New York Times Book Review The creators of the bestselling The Proudest Blue (2019) return with a tale of siblings, friendship, and acts of kindness.

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S.K. Ali is the award-winning and bestselling author of a number of books for children and young adults, including Saints and Misfits, The Proudest Blue (coauthor), and Once Upon an Eid (coeditor and contributor). She lives in Toronto with her family and invites you to visit her online at skalibooks.com. It’s the doldrums of a Midwest winter, and some of my students are on edge with each other. So I was looking for a BIPOC friendship book to use for Valentine’s week. The bright red dress from the cover caught my attention along with the word Kindest. Ibtihaj Muhammad captures one little girls wish to be like her big sister, to wear a beautiful red dress on school picture day - passed down through the generations as a prized possession she can now enjoy - and to be empowered by her faith in friendship and the goodness of the world. There is nothing but hope, happiness and love in this story - a refreshing addition to the shelves of children's picture books. This charming book reminds children that even the smallest gesture can mean a lot to others. Faizah and Sophie make an excellent pair, spreading thoughtfulness everywhere, and there is gentle humour in the interactions between the class. The illustrations are dynamic and colourful, with some lovely cheeky and happy expressions on the kids’ faces. The sisters Faizah and Asiya also feature in the brilliant picture book The Proudest Blue, and the love they have for each other shines out powerfully in both books. A delight!