Muhammad's Recipe for Remembering

A moving picture book highlighting a young Muslim boy’s efforts to rediscover his family’s history in the World Wars.

Muhammad wants to take part in his school’s assembly to honor veterans, but no one in his community, let alone his family, has been involved in the World Wars . . . have they? After discussions with his family and elders at his mosque, Muhammad starts to piece together his family’s lost history, and realizes that you don’t need a trophy or medal to remember those you’ve lost–it can be as simple as sharing a piece of roti.

With beautiful, detailed illustrations of historical scenes and Muhammad’s mosque, this is a tender and compassionate story of the importance of passing on memories and experiences through generations, especially of those who have been largely erased from mainstream narratives. A note from the author and other backmatter provide further historical context on Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu soldiers who served in the World Wars.

• NEW PERSPECTIVES: Books featuring the world wars, remembrance day, or veterans often focus on white European and North American soldiers. This book is from the perspective of a young Muslim boy and his efforts to piece together his family’s lost history inspires his community to do the same.
• A NEW LOOK AT HISTORY: This story is contemporary with a child at its center, emphasizing the multigenerational impacts of war, rather than glamorizing war or victory.
• IMPACTFUL ILLUSTRATIONS: Beautiful spreads featuring Muhammad’s mosque illustrate the diversity of the Muslim community and how much of a part of the community it is, rather than just a place of religious worship.
• EDUCATOR’S GUIDE: Free resources will be available for download at AnnickPress.com, and in Edelweiss, Bookmanager, CataList.
• LEVELING INFO: Coming soon