Parents' Guide to

Under My Hijab

By Mandie Caroll, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Beautiful art, positive messages in headscarf story.

Book Hena Khan Picture Book 2019
Under My Hijab Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In UNDER MY HIJAB, an unnamed girl tells about various women in her life that wear hijab, the colored headscarves many Muslim women choose to wear. The women are seen first in public scenarios in hijab and then in more private spaces without hijab. A funky artist aunt piles her hijab high on her head and secures it with a handmade jewel, but at her colorful apartment, the narrator admires her aunt's pink and purple streaked hair like "a fine work of art she can comb." There's also her baker grandmother, doctor mother, a karate champion cousin, a fashionable sister, and a scary-story-telling troop leader. The girl chooses to practice wearing a hijab, too, at the end of the story, inspired by all the amazing women in her life. An end note explains more about the practice of wearing hijab.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say (1 ):

This lushly illustrated and rhythmically told tale informs about and reflects the richness of experience among Muslim women. Though Under My Hijab is about the headscarf, it is also about the full humanity of those who choose to wear it. In artfully revealing the personalities of each woman, in public and private, the wearing of hijab is demystified, and we see women with a full range of experiences, occupations, and expressions of self. Kids will love especially the quirky artist aunt with color-dyed hair and the wooden-block-breaking cousin who also dances wildly in the living room.

There's much common ground here between story and reader. The simple rhyming text can feel a bit forced, at times, but overall is quite enjoyable. The colorful and lifelike illustrations are as straightforward as the text and ably communicate the messages of diversity and strength that make this book a winner for any family or school bookshelf.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the girl's family members in Under My Hijab. How are the women in her family similar and different from one another? How are you the same and different from the people in this book?

  • Why do some women wear hijab? (Read the end page or ask an adult if you're not sure.) How do you express your culture or religious faith?

  • Who in your life do you look up to? What character strengths do they show that you find admirable?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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