In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel and Hatem Aly

Happy Tuesday! Today, my heart is overflowing with joy for two reasons. 

1. Many of my favorite books of 2020 were sent out into the world. (I will share them on Twitter throughout the day.) 

2. M.O. Yuksel and Hatem Aly stopped by to share In My Mosque's cover and to finish my sentences. I wrote the words in purple, M.O Yuksel wrote the words in black, and Hatem Aly wrote the words in green. Thank you, M.O. and Hatem! 

In My Mosque tells the story of the rituals and traditions of community, beauty, and joy in a place of worship. It is an informative and entertaining description of the type of activities and services that take place in mosques around the world.

Hatem Aly’s illustrations are stunning! I have so many favorite spreads. Hatem brings the story to life with vivid and colorful scenes of various mosques around the world and a multicultural cast of characters on every page. The reader is invited on a journey through his beautiful illustrations.

Mosques are a place of worship for Muslims, or people who practice the religion of Islam. Mosques serve as a place of prayer, reflection, and rejuvenation. Some also function as a community center for holiday celebrations, marriage ceremonies, and educational and charitable activities.

Picture books are a doorway to new worlds, adventures, and experiences. Picture books are also valuable tools to impart values of empathy, compassion, and acceptance by introducing and inviting discussion about various topics like diverse cultures and all the wonderful things in the world and beyond.

M.O. Yuksel’s manuscript for In My Mosque is a wonderful expression of being intimate, truthful and informative at the same time. It’s like having a conversation with a close friend.

The artwork for In My Mosque is a hopeful attempt to plant a seed of curiosity and interest to take a closer look at what makes things and people compelling, familiar and approachable.

Naan, samsa, sweet melon slices, and baklava.

In My Mosque’s endpapers are a form of grace spreading among all.

Look for In My Mosque on March 23, 2021.

M.O. Yuksel is a children’s book author who grew up attending many beautiful mosques around the world. With roots in Turkey and Uzbekistan, she loves writing about diverse cultures and fascinating historical figures. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and three sons.

Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator whose work has been published all over the world. When he was a child, he would imagine shapes forming on the mosque’s carpet if he stared down long enough, which then swiftly disappeared and transformed into beautiful patterns when he looked up. He is pretty much the same as a grown up, too. His illustrations have earned multiple starred reviews and positions on the New York Times bestseller list including The Proudest Blue (with Ibtihaj Muhammad & S.K. Ali), the Yasmin series (with Saadia Faruqi), and The Inquisitor’s Tale (with Adam Gidwitz). He currently lives in beautiful New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people.