"How to Scare a Monster "by Zanib Mian - Reviewed by Islamic School Librarian
I like a lot of books, but this one, well it might be my favorite. The size, the length, the colors, the fonts, the illustrations, the message, truly it is fabulous for 3-5 year olds.The premise is simple and straightforward. The book doesn’t try and do too much or put too much on its 32 pages. It identifies ways to deal with monsters, and then offers what some people try and do to scare them away, concluding the best and only solution, is to ask Allah for help by saying, Audhoobillah.
Kids will laugh at the silly illustrations and attempts to be monster free, and remember the clear strong message of calling on Allah swt when afraid.
The only critique for me is the page about the kid with a stink-bomb in their nappy. While funny, the sentence structure doesn’t flow, the narrator’s voice seems abrupt and off to me. Possibly that it goes from active voice to passive for that line only (its been a while since I’ve articulated grammar structure, so maybe not :)).
Most people try to rrooaaarr!
or hide under the bed.
Sometimes they call their mum, mmummm!
or even better. A kid with a stink-bomb in their nappy.
Some turn the lights on,
or hold on to their favourite teddy.
Other than that, the book is fun and works well for muslim kids at story time or bedtime alike, alhumdulillah.
