Jessica (Spooky KidLit & We Who Walk Here, Walk Alone)'s Reviews > Under My Hijab

Celebrating diversity and self-expression, Under My Hijab is a beautiful exploration of the different ways that Muslim women and girls choose to wear (or not to wear) the hijab as an expression of their faith.

Told in rhyming couplets, a young girl watches her family and friends as they do the things they love: her mother the doctor attends to patients at work and gardens at home, her teenage cousin pursues a black belt in tae kwon do and then has a dance party with her, and so many more of the women she loves do incredible things that inspire her to follow her own dreams. The different ways they wear the hijab are as unique as they are.

This beautiful diversity shines through with first-time picture book illustrator Aaliya Jaleel's art. The details in her warm, gentle illustrations immediately give each character their own personality, building a strong sense of love and community. Author Hena Khan's story is one of joy and hope, and she ends it with some facts about the hijab and how unique it is to each wearer.

This #ownvoices book will be a lovely way for young Muslim girls to see themselves and their loved ones represented in fictional stories, and it will be a fun way to introduce other children to Muslim characters and show them the beauty, kindness, and diversity in the Muslim community.

My thanks to Lee & Low Books and Edelweiss+ for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.