Can you think of other ways that people are similar / different? Why should we celebrate our differences? 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!

I choose this book as I know that some girls find it difficult wearing the Hijab to school, this story really helps with making it something that just happens. Cultivate harmony among neighbors through art, media, strategic communication, and education. Our Vision This was a beautifully illustrated picture book about sisterhood and a girl's first day of wearing her hijab. This was a sweet, hopeful book. I wish there had been more exploration of why it was important for the characters to wear hijab, other than it made them feel close to their culture and family. But I suppose that's more of an adult complaint. I don't know. I might have wanted to know if I read this as a kid. I didn't realize before reading this that the author was an Olympic medalist, so that's pretty neat. The pictures are gorgeous. What a wonderful story about rites of passage, the bonds of sisters, overcoming classmate cruelty and taunts, and the importance of faith to a young girl. Little sisters look up to older sisters usually and for Faizah watching her sister buy her first hijab and wear it to school on the first day is a special moment. Aly's illustrations are beautiful as they bring to life the ocean/sky blue color that Asiya selects for her hijab. The anonymous way in which the bullies are portrayed is powerful as well.

Connect:Mother told the girls not to carry around the hurtful words of others. What does it look like to drop the words? What does it mean that they are not yours to keep and belong only to those who said them? After Reading The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family follows sisters Asiya and Faizah. Asiya is celebrating her first day of wearing a hijab. Although most kids in their class are struggling to understand, Faizah and Asiya are proud of what the hijab represents in their Muslim faith and culture. Aly’s digitally enhanced ink and pencil scenes alternate between dreamy meditations of strength and empowerment” — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Faizah is excited to go shopping with her sister, Asiya, to help her buy her first-day hijab. The blue hijab represents beauty and strength. On the first day of school, sisters, Asiya and Faizah walk hand in hand. What does your workspace look like nowadays, and how many pets would be expected to find keeping you company while you work? School Library Journal raves, “The illustration and the colors are just as powerful as words conveying the passionate message of how to be proud of one’s culture, individuality, and religion, and how to stay strong and keep one’s faith.” From early sketches to final artwork, how did you approach style to empower each character and bring this story to life?Home Learning Reader in Residence Reader in Residence Digital Years 1 & 2 The Proudest Blue The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali and Hatem Aly Published by Anderson Press And that just about sums up the book and the experience of every Muslim woman who decides to wear hijab and continue wearing it and not let any other factor get in the way of her choice.