5 Islamic Books that Help Muslim Kids Own Their Identity with Pride

“Why do I have to wear the hijab?” is just one example of pushback that Muslim parents worry about facing from their children. Raising our children upon faith and seeing them take pride in their Muslim identity is a dream that every Muslim parent carries in their heart. But it isn’t so easy to achieve, especially in the West. When Muslim kids are surrounded by ideologies quite opposite to their own and are perhaps even bullied for openly representing their Muslim identity, they can start to lose confidence in who they are. For many, hiding their Muslim identity to fit in might seem like the safest option to avoid being the odd one out.  

But when Muslim kids grow up seeing heroes who look like them—heroes who face the same societal pressures and still choose their faith—their identity can receive a much-needed confidence boost. And then that "maybe I should just fit in" might start turning into "actually, I'm proud of who I am." That’s where Islamic books for kids come into the picture. Children's books by Muslim authors narrating the lives and stories of relatable Muslim characters can be very powerful in building up identity.  

At Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, we’ve put together a collection of Islamic books that do just that: they give Muslim kids their own heroes to look up to, bring familiar everyday struggles to life, and tell stories that are worth returning to. Here are our 5 favourite picks for Islamic books on identity:

Nusaiba and the 5th Grade Bullies by Asmaa Hussein

If your child has ever had a hard time at school just for being Muslim, they’ll see themselves in the struggles of this story’s main character. Nusaiba is a girl who begins to lose confidence after a hurtful comment about her mother’s clothes, but she finds strength in her Muslim identity through a perspective-shifting shopping trip. This is one of the best Islamic story books for Muslim children navigating the challenges of being bullied and shamed for who they are.  

Asmaa Hussein portrays one of the toughest experiences of Muslim kids growing up in the West, while keeping the story engaging and fun for young readers. Muslim kids can instantly connect with Nusaiba’s feelings and find strength in her journey toward not only self-acceptance but also genuine pride and confidence. So when your child tells you about a tough day at school, let this be the book you read together that evening!

Spell it Like S-A-M-A-R by Shifa Saltagi Safadi

All Muslim kids who have joined a new school, a new grade, or felt like they didn’t quite belong will relate to Spell it Like S-A-M-A-R, a poignant Islamic book that reflects one student’s personal struggle with preserving both her cultural identity and Muslim identity in a new land. Samar’s move from Syria to America is full of very relatable challenges: her accent is mocked, everything feels different and strange, and she now struggles in school even though she used to be the best student in her class back home. But Samar decides to remain persistent and regain her courage by participating in the school spelling bee.  

Shifa Saltagi Safadi shows Muslim kids—through a child protagonist much like them—that new challenges are supposed to make us stronger instead of making us take a step back. Almost all children have felt out of place at one time or another, so Samar's story will feel like it was written for them.

The Great Hair Exchange by Asmaa Hussein

Here’s an Islamic book that speaks to all the times that kids feel self-conscious about the way they look. Maybe they think their hair is too curly, or they think they’re too skinny. Maybe someone points out their so-called flaws, or maybe they simply see many people with “perfect looks” on TV. And all of that ends up clouding the real beauty of their unique features. Through laugh-out-loud scenes between twin sisters Roda and Bushra, The Great Hair Exchange shows Muslim children how each creation of Allah is beautiful in its own way—and how our physical features are something outside our control.  

The twins’ fun, spunky adventure of exchanging their hair turns into chaos, teaching Muslim kids how important it is to be content with the way Allah created them. Asmaa Hussein has done a remarkable job showing how self-love is also part of our Muslim identity, as it helps us develop confidence and please our Creator. If your child ever expresses a wish to look like someone else, just skip the lecture and grab this book. Let the lesson land through a fun story.

The Mismatched Finjan by Sarah Musa

Is skin tone the real measure of one’s beauty? Or does true beauty lie somewhere deeper? Help your children discover the answer with Mariam as she faces challenges at her cousin’s wedding. When her excitement of becoming a flower girl at the wedding is crushed because of her skin tone not being the “right” one , she learns important lessons that every Muslim kid needs to hear. True beauty lies in the heart—in how we carry ourselves and how we treat others—and that is the beauty that really matters.  

This Islamic book for Muslim kids is not only great for self-acceptance and confidence, but also for nurturing an important aspect of our Muslim identity: practising compassion and kindness in our words to others. If your child is ever bullied for being different from others, this is your go-to Islamic book for gently restoring their confidence.

Elephant's Makeover by Rukhsana Khan

We've all grown up with animal stories that teach us something—the tortoise and the hare, the ant and the grasshopper. But Rukhsana Khan takes that familiar format and does something different with it in her Islamic book for children. Elephant’s Makeover speaks directly to Muslim kids about the very specific pressure of wishing you looked different. It offers valuable reminders for children to work on building their Muslim identity through kindness and acceptance for others as well as themselves.  

Much like the twin sisters in The Great Hair Exchange, Elephant decides to swap her features for “prettier” ones, like Owl's dazzling eyes and Mouse's tiny ears. But trying to be like someone else never goes well. This is one of the best Islamic books for Muslim kids to accept the unique features and abilities Allah has bestowed them with. And accepting that is the first step to fostering confidence in their Muslim identity.

Why Parents Love These Islamic Books about Identity

The best Islamic books for Muslim kids touch their emotions, fill their reading time with fun and laughter, and—most importantly—keep children returning to the story again and again. Parents who have added these Islamic books about identity to their children’s shelves have loved them for all these reasons. But what we love most about the reviews is the specific moments parents shared with us—the child who loved the story so much that they kept reading it over and over again, and the parent who bought the book as a gift for someone but ended up wanting to keep it for themselves. Here’s what some of the parents had to say about these books:

“My daughter says this was one of her favourite books (& she loves all of yours) but this one she was able to relate to quite a bit...” - Hibz on Spell it Like S-A-M-A-R

“In a day and age when Muslims are constantly being attacked, this book is a reminder that we need to stand strong and persevere. This book will help empower your young children...” - Abdul Saltagi on Spell it Like S-A-M-A-R

“My son couldn't stop laughing at this story, especially when the elephant had all the different animal body parts. I think it's such a fun way to talk about an issue that's very serious...” Maleeha on Elephant’s Makeover  

“My kids love this book, especially my 3.5 year old daughter. I love how it includes a diverse family and teaches the girls to accept their differences...” - Ruba Qasem on The Great Hair Exchange  

Why Islamic Books for Kids are Important for Strengthening Their Muslim Identity

Children do not absorb identity from rules or lectures; they absorb it from the stories they enjoy reading. Islamic books for kids are one the best tools to help our children embrace their Muslim identity. When Muslim kids see characters who look like them, carry the same names as them, and explore the same questions about their religious identity, they are more likely to develop confidence and own their Muslim identity.  Incorporating meaningful messages in engaging Islamic story books helps children learn and appreciate their values naturally.  

Choose the Best Islamic Book for Your Little One

Each one of these Islamic books was chosen because it cultivates pride in Muslim identity a lot easier than any lecture ever would. No matter which book you choose, each one is crafted to make reading an engaging experience for young readers. Each one comes with characters that your child can see themselves in, scenes that seem too familiar not to relate with, and struggles that answer questions your child may have wondered but never asked.

Explore our full collection of Muslim kids’ books at Ruqaya's Bookshelf—because the heroes your child reads about today shape the Muslim they'll choose to be tomorrow.

Shop Islamic Books for Muslim kids here.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Q: What are the best Islamic books for Muslim kids about identity?

A: Some of the best Islamic books for Muslim kids on identity include Nusaiba and the 5th Grade Bullies, Spell it Like S-A-M-A-R, The Great Hair Exchange, The Mismatched Finjan, and Elephant's Makeover. Each of these Islamic story books addresses a specific aspect of Muslim identity—from facing bullying and loving your appearance to navigating immigration and accepting how Allah created you. All five are available at Ruqaya's Bookshelf.

Q: Why is Muslim identity important for children growing up in the West?

A: Muslim kids in the West face a constant struggle with expressing their Muslim identity. On the one hand, they have the norms and ideals that are rooted in their religious values. On the other hand, society pulls them in the opposite direction and shames them for their religious beliefs due to Islamophobia and the consequent misunderstandings surrounding Islam. Helping children see their Muslim identity as a strength rather than an obstacle is crucial to keep our children grounded in faith. And Islamic books for kids that focus on identity and self-acceptance are a great way to start.

Q: How do Islamic books help Muslim kids with self-confidence?

A: Islamic books for kids build self-confidence by showing Muslim children that they are not alone in facing everyday challenges surrounding their identity. When a Muslim child sees a character that looks like them, carries the same names as them, and faces the same struggles as them, the character’s journey to self-acceptance and pride in their identity becomes a source of strength for dealing with their own struggles.  

Q: What are good Islamic story books for children about bullying?

A: Nusaiba and the 5th Grade Bullies by Asmaa Hussein is one of the most effective Islamic story books for Muslim children dealing with bullying—especially bullying related to their Muslim identity or their family's religious choices. It handles a sensitive topic in an age-appropriate manner and gives Muslim kids a hero to look up to and a path to move forward with their own challenges.  

Q: Are there Islamic books for Muslim kids about self-acceptance?

A: Yes — The Great Hair Exchange by Asmaa Hussein, The Mismatched Finjan by Sarah Musa, and Elephant's Makeover by Rukhsana Khan all address self-acceptance from different angles. Together they cover body image, skin tone, and the desire to look like someone else—framing self-acceptance not as a feel-good message but as an Islamic value rooted in gratitude for how Allah created us.

Q: Where can I find Islamic books for Muslim kids in English?

A: Ruqaya's Bookshelf carries a diverse collection of English Islamic books for Muslim kids—including books on identity, salah, Qur’anic values, and Muslim heroes. Every book in the collection has been chosen because it comes with characters that your child can see themselves in, scenes that seem too familiar not to relate with, and struggles that answer questions your child may have wondered but never asked.