A book for Muslim kids that is easy to read and beautifully illustrated.

• Written in simple English (reading grade level of 1.4) with proper grammar and no typos, in sha Allah!
• Beautifully illustrated by the genius behind the Superhanallah web comic!
• Durable cardboard pages so it can be enjoyed by kids at any age! There aren't many Islamic cardboard books out there today.
• Based on an interesting hadeeth story from Sahih Muslim with a powerful message of being charitable, good to your family, and financially wise (no prophets are depicted).

 

It's hard to find a professionally made book for Muslim kids. Often they are written at a middle school, high school, or even college reading level. Many are poorly illustrated. The subtle message: Islam is confusing and boring. We think we're helping our children, but instead they are being alienated from Islam! True story: one child was so confused after reading a story, he thought Iblis was Allah, astaghfirullah! Help us put a stop to it by setting a higher standard for Muslim children's literature.

With your support, we want to print a limited edition cardboard book that is simple to read and stunning to look at.

Check out what we've done so far:

OUR GOALS:

• Make Islamic concepts easy and interesting for kids, showing them Islam isn't confusing or boring.
• Use stunning visuals to keep children engaged with the story.
• Print the book in the most professional way: a cardboard book that kids can read without tearing pages. Cardboard Islamic books are a rare thing!
• Set a higher standard for Muslim children's books, raising the bar in the industry.
• Trample the notion of racism from the outset by presenting the hero of the story as a person of color.

 

WHERE IS YOUR MONEY GOING?

• Printing 5,000 cardboard books (the minimum amount possible): $8,000
• Importing from China (duties, taxes, shipping), storage, and processing: $2,000 (estimate)
• Shipping out rewards to backers: $7,000 (estimate)
• LaunchGood and Credit Card fees: $1,360 (estimate)
• Total with padding for unforseen costs: $19,900

 

If we have any books left over after rewards are shipped, they will be sold at various Muslim bookstores and online stores. A portion of the profits will be used to fund Islamic projects. If you would like stock for your bookstore, please contact us at infoATradtalksDOTcom

 

CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND THIS PROJECT:

• Author & Lead Organizer: Hasan Jilani, founder of the Rad Talks conference and author of the novel Damascus Steel (work in progress).
• Illustrator: Qa'ed Mai, creator of the Superhanallah web comic.

 

NOT CONVINCED?

Here's an example of children's literature that's in the market today:

"Muhammad, salla Allahu alaihi sallam, was born an orphan in Mecca and lost his mother when he was just six years old. Under the care of his relatives, he endeared all with his impeccable character, kindness, and trustworthiness. In his youth, he worked as a shepherd and a tradesman and married Khadija at the age of 25. At the age of 40, Muhammad, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, would retreat to Mount Hira on the outskirts of Mecca to contemplate. It was during this time that the Angel Gabriel descended upon him in the cave of Hira with the first revelation from Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Muhammad's (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) prophethood had now begun."

Reading Grade Level: 8.7 which means you have to be ready to enter high school before you can understand this children's material with colorful pictures, etc.

We took a crack at rewriting it:

"Muhammad, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, was born in Mecca. His father died before he was born. His mother died when he was six years old. His uncle took care of him. Muhammad, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, grew up to be a good man. He was kind and honest. He worked as a shepherd. He was also a merchant. He married Khadija when he was 25 years old. When he was 40 years old he would go to a mountain called Hira. He would stay in a cave and think about the world's problems. Angel Gabriel came to him in the cave and started to teach him the Qur'an. Allah chose Muhammad, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, to be the last prophet."

Reading Grade Level: 2.8 which means a 3rd grader can understand it. If some of the details were removed, it would be even simpler.

We can and must do better. Please help us make it happen, in sha Allah.