How Big is Allah? Review!

I remember when my friend, Emma, posted on Facebook that she woke up with an awful migraine, but had this book idea that just had to be put to paper. Suffering through the migraine this last Ramadan, How Big is Allah? was born. I always admire my creative friends in how they can seem so inspired and driven toward creating something new, but I rarely see the finished product. I was very excited to see Emma’s book, and in my sneak peek over a Google Plus hangout, I fell in love.

Sure, I have a thing for all things to do with space and the vastness of our universe. After all, it was the science in the Qur’an that convinced me of its Truth. So, when I saw that Emma used our amazing and gigantic universe to create wonder and awe in children, and to translate that wonder and awe into the One who created all of this, I knew I wanted to have this book for my kids.

There are some big concepts introduced into the book, especially for my Aamina (almost 4 years old), but the way the book wraps back around to remind the reader of our size in comparison to the massive cosmos brings that awe and amazement of the creation around us. Isn’t that what we want for our kids? For them to realize the how beautiful and amazing this world is around us? How much better would our communities, both large and small, be if we all treated our surroundings as if it is all something to be treasured?

Even at just shy of 4 years old, Aamina enjoys How Big is Allah? and the story it paints of the world around her, but I know this book will grow with her as well. As children get older, it brings up questions about space, the universe, and galaxies. Emma so helpfully included some quick facts and illustrations about the size of various space objects, which can guide further conversation at  home, or simply allowing the child (or you!) to explore on your own.

Again, I’m so impressed by my creative friends and what they are able to make with their own two hands, mashaAllah. To tell you I failed art class should paint a pretty good picture of how artistic I am (part of that has to do with the lack of trying. Why keep trying to do something you’re terrible at?). What Emma can do with a black and white space is even more amazing, mashaAllah. I can’t imagine the time and attention it takes to make something with such depth and detail, again without added color for shading. I hope that books like How Big is Allah? inspire my children in their artistic talents because clearly, that inspiration is not going to be coming from me!

Really, How Big is Allah? is one of a kind, and I’m so pleased to have it join in our Islamic kids library. It’s exciting to see how the Ummah is growing in the resources available for our kids, mashaAllah!