The illustrations by Hatem Aly are excellent, and really bring Yasmin's big personality to life. I love the extra features at the back of the book that expand the reader's knowledge of Pakistan and the Urdu language, and help readers think about the topics covered in the book. She's a girl that every young person should get to know, and I particularly love the ways in which children will be able to relate to her, while also learning something new about Pakistani culture. Her personality is huge, as is her imagination, and she resolves her challenges with independence and creativity.
She's spunky, animated and full of big ideas that are all her own. Yasmin is an absolutely delightful character who is a breath of fresh air on the early chapter book scene. Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book. But, I do think you will need to bring more to this if your children have questions.
I also think children new to Yasmin's culture might wonder, for example, not just what "hijab" means but why do Mama and Nani (grandma) wear a hijab but Yasmin does not? Again, I don't mean this as a huge criticism, and in many ways I really appreciate the inclusive, matter-of-fact way that Yasmin and her family are part of their school and neighborhood. I'm curious, for example, how Urdu differs from Arabic (the example given is "Salaam means Peace" but this is also true in Arabic, if I am not mistaken). I think a country is much more than its currency, language and independence day date which is about all we learn about Pakistan.
Also, while I appreciate the back matter with a glossary of Urdu ("a language from Pakistan") terms used in the book, "Pakistan Facts" and the "Taste of Pakistan" mango lassi recipe, I felt like it was too brief. I almost feel that the story and illustrations are too young for a 2nd grade audience - though I certainly do hope these books find a wide readership and I would in no way discourage sharing it with a 2nd grader. (I could not get either of my kids interested in reading this based on their quick thumb through.) (I'm not sure if this is a compilation of separate Yasmin books (if so, those books must be very short!) or if the other Yasmin books expand on the episodes included here as I notice, for example, Yasmin the Builder cover art looks like the first chapter of the "Yasmin the Builder" chapters in this book.) I really enjoyed reading this even though the artwork is not my particular favorite style. I so appreciate the loving, multi-generational family and Yasmin's ups and downs with exploring, art, building and fashion. Sweet, gentle episodes with themes that will resonate for most American children while highlighting Yasmin's Pakistani heritage.
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