Like the Moon Loves the Sky

Beginning at the title page with the heartfelt author’s note, Hena Khan explains the meaning of the Arabic phrase “inshallah,” the inceptive core in this story of a mother’s love. Each page poses a mother’s deep wish for her child, such as “Inshallah you speak truth and work for its sake.” Each wish is coordinated with Saffa Khan’s colorfully illustrated moments as her child ages—such as jumping off a diving board and riding a bike for the first time, playing in a fort with friends, reading a book with mom at bedtime, and gardening—all made extraordinary through the view of a mother’s love. As described in the author’s note, the rhyming lines in this book is inspired by the Quran but “are universal values that transcend any particular belief system.” The illustrations are wonderfully unique and beautiful with a consistent and vibrant color palette, binding the book with a feeling of firm identity. Matching in beauty is the text, creating an inspiring new take on a mother’s musings about their children’s futures in a thoughtful and real way through the relatable moments included in the book. This touching read is tenderly written and lovingly illustrated.