The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

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To go beyond just stating the problem and solution in the book, I make sure to pose questions that will get students thinking about their effects. How do the characters handle the conflict? What character traits do they demonstrate? How do they grow or change? What can we take away from the resolution? How does it connect to the theme of the book? Before Reading: I called it Happy Blue once before because it’s not too strong and harsh nor too gentle and dreamy. It’s more of a present, refreshing, and confident blue. I wanted it to be empowering as a central color. I experimented with different shades at first and decided to go with the current one since it felt fitting. This image is important because it normalizes the idea that the person wearing the scarf and not wearing the scarf are the same person. While the scarf has symbolism, it’s simultaneously a piece of clothing and there’s still that person with all the things that humans have underneath. As obvious as that sounds, it is an important statement. Continue reading. Proudest Blue” is a truly a wonderful book by Ibtihaj Muhammad. It is up to date in both explaining the hijab and showing the cultural tension from other races. I have some great books I’m working on right now for 2021, for example In My Mosque, written be Mindy Yuksel, will be published by HarperCollins, and it is so sweet! As for books coming out in 2020 there will be The UK edition of The Proudest Blue with Andersen Press, another set of Yasmin books, Raj’s Rule by Lana Button with Owl Kids, and the fifth book of the Unicorn Rescue Society series!

Show:Look at the cover showing Faizah sailing in the blue of her sister's head scarf. What are some things that are blue?

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Harry (14): 3. Wait, what's with all the counting (steps, and so on) and numbers in this book?! This book is really about celebrating differences. I really like the cover. As James Brown said, "Say it loud, say it proud." Except in this book, he could sing, "Say it loud, wear it proud, wear it in a crowd." I'll finish with one golden nugget of advice, useful for any children on the end of any unkind comments, that I've found myself quoting often since reading the book: 'Don't carry around the hurtful words that others say. Drop them. They are not yours to keep.' Calm, practical and soothing in the way it releases the child from the insult, it also exudes quiet strength - like The Proudest Blue. I remember reading the manuscript for the first time and going silent in awe; I was taken by the beautiful writing. I grew up in a home with colorful scarves around with all sorts of beautiful materials, textures, and sizes. I played with them plenty as a child, and sometimes I’d help my mother put them on. At times, they seemed like waves when I ran with them or wore them as capes. Trying to keep them straight as a result of my super speed or time travelling was always difficult, and they were always wavy! These memories as a child helped with how the fabric feels and moves, and how it could blend with surroundings. I thought about how proud my mother looked when she put on a pattern she liked. We typically choose stories with obvious problems and solutions when we teach conflict and resolution. But it’s also important for students to practice this skill with stories where it’s not as evident. For some students, the conflict and resolution in The Proudest Blue will be harder to identify.

Some of the children in the story don’t understand why Asiya is wearing a hijab. How should they try to learn more? How can Asiya’s friends help her?The story keeps repeating that hijabs are beautiful as if it's just a fashionable accessory, nothing more. It goes into very vague reasoning as to why hijabs are important such as "It means being strong" and it also means that "you understand who you are." But what does that mean exactly? This sensitive representation of family relationships that provide a loving coat of armor against the world’s difficulties is memorable and inspiring. Bullies are depicted as faceless shadows, emphasizing the importance of discounting what they say…Triumphant and true” — Kirkus (Starred Review) I grabbed up this book from the library the day it was available, because I have always wondered about hijab and what it means. (For what it's worth, I am not a religious person, but cultural/religious rituals and habits fascinate me) I have a freebie that is part of this larger resource so you can try it out before buying anything! And while I am not Muslim...as someone who has been Othered/bullied for being brown, I am so thankful to see media like this where diversity is celebrated. It also shows that breaking stereotypes is so vital. The author herself is a legend!

Connect:If you have ever seen a sibling or friend teased, you may have an idea of how Faizah feels. What are some things you can say to support a friend who is teased? During Reading Show students the front cover and the front endsheets. What do you already know? What are you wondering? In this book, sisters Asiy and Faizah are celebrating the first day of wearing hijab. Other kids don't understand, but Faizah is proud of the strength and beauty of her hijab and the way that it represents their Muslim faith and culture. Before Reading Cultivate harmony among neighbors through art, media, strategic communication, and education. Our Vision Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2019". Booklist. January 1, 2020 . Retrieved 2021-10-29.How did you know Faizah was the narrator? How would the story have been different if told from Asiya’s point of view? Asiya's hijab is like the ocean and the sky, no line between them, saying hello with a loud wave. It's Faizah's first day of school, and her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab - made of a beautiful blue fabric. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful. In the face of hurtful, confusing words, will Faizah find new ways to be strong?This is an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond shared by siblings and of being proud of who you are, from Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad. We’d love to hear more about your journey while illustrating this important book. As an Egyptian-born Muslim illustrator, how did you connect to the themes on a personal level?

Identifying a story’s conflict and resolution is an important reading skill we want our students to develop. After all, the conflict is at the heart of the plot, and the character’s actions, feelings, and behaviors are often tied to it. When I teach this skill, I like to do a deep dive with students to analyze how the story’s conflict impacts the plot, the characters, and the theme. Book Introduction Watch the following TED Talk by the author. Can you think of questions you would like to ask her about her experiences? Goodreads Choice Awards Project: Read as many of the Best Picture Book nominees as possible. 4 to go!Tara: 4. This is a pretty sweet book. Sisters. And dealing with prejudice, staying strong through that. Ariana: I like differentiation in the scarf style preference between Asiya and her mother, her mother in an abaya and a long khimar, a hint of how they might differ in hijab style. I also like that Asiya’s style without hijab is distinctive and cool.