French picture books are an incredible tool to use in the Core French and/or French Immersion classroom. Particularly since 2020, teachers have recognized the role that diverse picture books play in providing mirrors and windows, and eventually sliding glass doors, for all of our students. Today I am sharing with you French picture books with Muslim and/or Arab characters. This blog post is the first in a series where I share some of my favourite French picture books with diverse characters.
Dear French publishers – this isn’t good enough
This blog post is very short and I am incredibly saddened by it. I have searched for French picture books with Muslim and/or Arab characters for a very long time. I am talking about years.
There are dozens and dozens of incredible books that are coming out in English with Muslim and/or Arab characters. These books, written by Muslim authors, are not just about trauma and war. As a matter of fact, they often have to do with celebratory messages and stories that Muslims and non-Muslims alike need to be exposed to.
The stories that tend to be translated into French are almost always about war and trauma. These stories are also incredibly important. However, only publishing picture books about war and trauma paints the false (and dangerous) narrative that the Muslim and Arab world only have one story – that of tragedy.
Since the death of George Floyd in 2020, there has been a lot of effort to ensure that there are diverse French picture books being published. There has been a ton of progress. However, we fall VERY short when it comes to French picture books with Muslim characters and Muslim representation.
Disclosure #2 – the Muslim world is very diverse
Before we proceed with this blog post, please understand that the Muslim world is incredibly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, language, culture, and more. There is no single French picture book that could represent that diversity.
I am a South Asian woman who is friends with, and have always been friends with, Muslims from all over the world. I am very well aware of the diversity.
My dream is that this blog post will soon have French picture books with representation of a very diverse Muslim world.
Also, please note that I am fully aware that not all Muslims are Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim. I fully understand that there is so much diversity within the Muslim and/or Arab world.
I will continue to update this blog post with new French picture books with Muslim characters as they become available.
Do you have recommendations of French picture books with Muslim characters?
If you know of French picture books or graphic novels that exist out there with Muslim and/or Arab representation, please DO leave me a comment below! I’d love to add more French picture books to this blog post.
We need to explicitly counter dangerous stereotypes of Muslims and Arab people
Look, the Western world has carefully constructed the very dangerous narrative that Muslims are terrorists, especially Muslim men. The classroom is a radical environment in which we must deconstruct these narratives and humanize the Muslim world.
In the 21st Century, the West has also normalized the pain and suffering that Muslims have been forced to experience. If we are sharing stories of war and tragedy in our classroom, we must balance the narrative by also sharing stories of joy.
Muslim children deserve to live and experience joy and happiness. End of story.
Where should you buy these French picture books from?
I really encourage you to purchase from your local independent bookstores. One of my favourite bookstores is located a block away from my school.
I will be linking all of these books through Les Libraires which is an independent bookstore in Québec.
Zaha Hadid par María Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustré par Asun Amar
Zaha Hadid is the true story of a little girl from Iraq who knew she wanted to be an architect at the age of 11.
When Zaha was a little girl, she loved both art and math. She loved exploring with unique shapes and forms to create unique art.
Zaha’s story is an inspiring story of a woman who broke through the glass ceiling. In 2004, Hadid not only became the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, but she was also the first Muslim woman to win such a prize.
Themes: art, math, careers, women’s history
Year published: 2019
French level: Intermediate. mostly in passé composé/imparfait
Le plus beau des Aïds par Zeba Talkhani et Abeeha Tariq
Eid, or aïd en français, is the celebration that occurs post-Ramadan. In this book, we meet little Safa who is beyond excited about Eid!
In this book, we learn all about the traditions and customs that Safa and her family partake in on Eid.
Traditions include wearing new clothes, decorating one’s hands with henna, getting together with family, praying, and so much more!
Safa learns at the end of the book that a really important part of Eid is the act of giving selflessly. Thus, Safa and her mom take sweets and gifts to all of their (very diverse!!) neighbours.
In my opinion, every single classroom in Canada needs to have this book. Children need to be exposed to celebrations other than Christmas since our classrooms are very diverse places.
Themes: celebrations, Eid, traditions, and customs
Year published: 2022
French level: high novice. Present tense.
Le Bibliobus by Bahram Rahman, illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard
In Bibliobus, we meet Pari and her mom who are Afghan. Pari and her mom live in a rural Afghan village nestled in the mountains. They live a short drive away from a UNHCR refugee camp.
Pari’s mom drives the Bibliobus to the refugee camp every day to ensure that the girls who live at the camp have access to free books.
Pari’s mom teaches her daughter about the importance of being educated and how their liberty (from war and violence) is intricately connected to their education.
Themes: education and the importance of access to education, girls and women’s rights
Year published: 2020
French level: high novice to intermediate French
While the story is evidently set during the United States’ war on Afghanistan post-9/11, there is no outright mention of violence and war. The author subtly alludes to the consequences of this war, such as the illustrations of the UNHCR refugee camp. As such, this story is suitable for elementary years.
Most importantly, this story is about courage, perseverance, and the heroism of Afghan teachers.
Dounia by Marya Zarif
Le Monde de Dounia takes place in Aleppo, Syria. Dounia is our main character. In the beginning of the story, we see what Aleppo was like before the Syrian war.
We see and learn about the beautiful streets and historical landmarks.
Then, the first bombs begin to fall on Aleppo and we see the world beginning to crumble around Dounia and her family.
Dounia, her grandmother, and her grandfather embark on a dangerous journey seeking shelter and safety. Upon their arrival in Greece, they are treated poorly by the soldiers.
Eventually, Dounia and her grandparents arrive in a wintery Canada and are finally safe.
Themes: Syrian war, the challenges refugees face on their journey
Year of publication: 2021
French level: high novice (all in present tense)
Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie by Danny Ramadan, illustrations by Anna Bron
This story is set in Vancouver, Canada. Salma and her mom live in a shelter for refugees in Vancouver awaiting the arrival of Salma’s baba.
Salma notices that her mother no longer laughs. She decides that she is going to make one of her favourite Syrian dishes Foul shami in order to make her mom smile.
Salma embarks on a grand adventure to make her favourite Syrian dish. However, it’s not easy. She stumbles upon many obstacles that almost prevent her from making her dish.
The generosity and kindness of every individual at the shelter eventually help her finish her dish just in time for dinner.
Themes: culture shock, allusions to depression as a result of war, kindness, generosity
Year published: 2020
Level of French: high intermediate. It’s almost entirely in present tense, however, there is very little repetition of vocabulary which might make it challenging.
Just like Bibliobus, Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie alludes to war, but there are no explicit statements. Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie is about the culture shock, PTSD, and transition children who are refugees have to experience.
Salma’s story is beautifully written as it gives the reader an inside perspective on some of the feelings and experiences that children who are Syrian refugees may be experiencing.
I will be honest – I cried my eyes out in the last quarter of the book and at the simple, but heartwarming ending.
In my opinion Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie is a must-read.
Bonus : Le courage d’Amal
Here’s a novel recommendation for French Immersion teachers looking for a diverse French read-aloud option.
Le courage d’Amal is about 12-year-old Amal. Amal lives in a rural village in Pakistan. She is the eldest in her family and adores her sisters.
You’ll probably have stereotypes of Pakistan in your head because of the mainstream media. However, it’s worth noting that the family is middle class, like most of her village. Life for this family and community is simple, but they’re all happy.
Amal loves to read, learn, and go to school. In fact, it’s everything she dreams of doing. Amal dreams of being a teacher so that she can pass on her love and passion for education to others.
However, an event at the village market changes the course of Amal’s life. Because of this event, Amal discovers that a small group has the most power in the community. This group’s power comes from wealth.
Subsequently, Amal leaves her family to become a maid for the richest and most powerful family in the village.
What follows is a chain of unjust events. Amal discovers that she must find the courage to face up to the injustices of powerful and dangerous characters.
Themes: girls and women’s rights, social classes, activism, bravery
Year published: 2018
Did you find this blog post on French picture books with Muslim characters useful?
If you have found this blog post on French picture books with Muslim characters useful, please do leave a comment below.
Let me know which of these French picture books you intend to use in the classroom. If you have recommendations of French picture books with Muslim characters not listed in this blog post, please do let me know below!
In solidarity,
Pav
I am always looking to make my library more representative of the community we live in. Thank you for your recommendations. It can be hard to spend the money on unknowns but the personal suggestions make it easier to put it in the cart.
Hi Hannah – I completely agree. I have purchased books that were not the right fit for the classroom for so many reasons. I am happy to share my thoughts on great books. Thank you for reading and for being an ally!
Mille mercis! I agree with Hannah, recommendations really do help me make more confident decisions. I purchased “Le Plus Beau Diwali” on your recommendation for my Core French Grade 4-6s and I love to use it to talk about celebrations and traditions. Do you think “Le Plus Beau d’Aïds” could be used in a similar fashion?
Hey Sam. I’m so happy to hear that 🙂 That’s exactly why I write these types of posts. Yes, Le plus des Aïds is very similar. Diwali and Eid are both celebrations and both books are about the different activities that normally take place. I think it would be a phenomenal way to learn about the two celebrations!
I hoped that helps 🙂
Pav