Pages

▼
▼

Sunday, 24 January 2016

Book Review: A Great Friend of Children

A Great Friend of Children Book Review
Compiled by: MS Kayani
Published by The Islamic Foundation, UK
Hardcover
Ages: 7-11 years

"A Great Friend of Children" is a collection of eight stories from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah and peace be upon him) depicting the love and kindness that he showed towards little children. A man who as busy changing the course of human history was, at the same time, free enough to mingle with and love the children - a captivating aspect of the greatest of human life stories."

This is an old book that was first published in 1981. The version I have now is the reprinted hardback cover from 2008. This is one of the first few books from The Islamic Foundation’s ‘Muslim Children’s Library’ that was available in English for Muslim children. 

I actually came across them in the 1990s (in Australia, we used to be 10 years behind everybody). The age of this book and its reprint suggest that it has become a classic. 

It’s easy to understand why this book is a classic. The stories in it are taken from Prophet Muhammad’s hadeeth (his sayings and actions), peace and blessings be upon him, and are retold in a way that is easy to understand for children. Each chapter is a story from the Prophet’s life that children can take lessons from. 

As the title indicates, each story shows how Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, treated and loved the children. This is a great book for children to read to endear our beloved Prophet to them.

I’ve read this book out loud and the words flowed smoothly. So it’s great for bedtime reading to your child or if you’re a teacher, it’s great for reading out loud to your class. The added bonus is that each page has a colour illustration that is clear and bright so you can show the pictures as you read.


It is geared towards the older child, between the ages of 7 and 11 years of age. I gave this book to my 10 year old to read and this was what he said: “The language used is clear. It gave a good description of what’s happening. It uses emotional language – it makes you feel.” OK, my 10 year old is a precocious child who reads thick teenage chapter books, but he still enjoyed the stories in this book. I'm sure yours will too.

Get your copy here:

My Affiliate Link


Lets Read Together

at

27 comments:

  1. Unknown25 January 2016 at 17:19

    This is a rarity and I need to get hands on this insha'Allah for my son. Can you please provide the Affiliate link please? :), xx.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jameela25 January 2016 at 17:53

      Thank you. Just click on the Amazon image. It's embedded into it.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous25 January 2016 at 19:34

    Great Review.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown26 January 2016 at 15:21

    Thank you for sharing this review. I too am looking for good books that are fairly simple to understand for the kids!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown26 January 2016 at 15:40

    Can't wait to get a copy of this into the hands of my 12 year old. I will have to let her know that a fellow tween reader gives it a thumbs up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nakida160427 January 2016 at 02:21

    my little ones are young right now but I'll def save this book for later to read. Thank you for your review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jameela27 January 2016 at 02:35

      Have you read Muslimmummies review of the picture book about Prophet Muhammad, peace and blesings be upon him, for younger children? I have that book too and it's really good. You can read the review here http://www.muslimmummies.com/2016/01/lets-read-together-my-prophet-muhammad-saw/

      Delete
  6. Ruku27 January 2016 at 13:25

    Sounds like a delightful book. I always love how he (saw) talked and interacted with children.

    ReplyDelete
  7. saima asghar27 January 2016 at 18:08

    I am inspired by this book. Though my sons r quite young to read it by themselves but i surely can read it to them. I should infact.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jameela30 January 2016 at 16:11

      Yes, you can and should start reading to them. Set up a bedtime story routine and read them books (also read at other times of course). The more you read to your childrn then the more they'll love books and want to read and the more they'll learn from the books, inshaAllah.

      Delete
  8. Kai Darul27 January 2016 at 21:05

    Ma sha Allah. For all the aspects of life, there is indeed a part of the life of the Prophet that we can learn from. Love this book! I will recommend it to cousins and friends.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Life of Aaliyah28 January 2016 at 02:04

    This looks like such a great book for children. Thanks for sharing your review. :)

    Aaliyah | www.thelifeofaaliyah.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown28 January 2016 at 12:37

    This book deserves to be on the shelf of every Muslim family's home library ~ and even in schools. There's so much to learn from the Prophet's life; for both children and adults.

    ReplyDelete
  11. TheMuslimahGuide28 January 2016 at 15:23

    Mashaa allah, I am increasing my kids home library with books by muslim authors so this will be a great addition inshaa allah.

    Here is a great resource of islamicly appropriate books written by western authors.
    http://www.themuslimahguide.com/islamicly-appropriate-books-by-western-authors/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jameela30 January 2016 at 16:14

      Thanks I'll have a look but I prefer books about Muslims to be written by Muslims.

      Delete
  12. Unknown30 January 2016 at 15:08

    Will have to look into getting this in sha Allah.

    Do feel free to join in with my Let's Read Together linky

    ReplyDelete
  13. Myda tahir31 January 2016 at 05:17

    Asalamoalikum Miss,
    This book seem to be among the classics.
    Do you know where to get it apart from amazon.


    Eat Healthy Stay Healthy :)

    Myda Tahir
    [email protected]
    http://ummeummah.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Zainab Dokrat1 February 2016 at 01:31

    Such a cute book!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1 February 2016 at 09:03

    definitely better than barbie haha :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown14 February 2016 at 05:05

    I really miss reading books like this with my children. I will suggest this to my niece for her children insha'allah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jameela14 February 2016 at 19:32

      Yes, these are gret books. I have the other titles as well. Please do recommend this one to your niece. InshaAllah her children will love it too.

      Delete