A Picnic of Poems in Allah’s Green Garden. Dawud Wharnsby. Illustrated by Shireen Adams. Markfield, UK: KUBE Publishing (www.kubepublishing.com) (Distributed by Consortium Book Sales & Distribution www.cbsd.com), 2011. 44 pp. (Includes a CD), hardcover, $25.50. ISBN 978-0-86037-444-2. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Inderjit Deogun. **** /4

excerpt:

My father has some whiskers,
a beard that’s so cuddly,
when he tries to kiss my cheek,
it’s always scrubbing me.

He teases and he tickles,
my neck and ‘neath my chin.
His beard puts me in giggles,
then loud, long laughs begin!

Within his wispy whiskers,
I’ve noticed something new,
sprouting between the brown ones,
white hairs are showing through.

He says his beard is changing,
from brown to wintry white,
at each new strand of silver,
is like a bit of light.

He says the more he loves me
the more his love will show,
for as his love gets stronger,
the more white hairs will grow.

A Picnic of Poems In Allah’s Green Garden is a collection of 30 poems that cover a range of topics. Through his poems, Dawud Wharnsby addresses the many fears and hopes of young children including, but not limited to, bullying, love and siblings.

      Each of Wharnsby’s poems beautifully illustrates one of life’s many lessons. He imparts these morals by using everyday occurrences, such as the darkness of night. Wharnsby expertly balances the tone of his collection by interspersing lighthearted pieces between his more poignant poems.

      The use of alliteration and rhyme throughout the book allows for a fun and playful quality that will be enjoyed by young readers. Wharnsby provides an educational component to his work by using Islamic words to aid in the understanding of Islamic concepts. Although A Picnic of Poems In Allah’s Green Garden is clearly targeted to Islamic youngsters, children of all faiths will find value in this collection.

Recommended.

Inderjit Deogun, of Mississauga, ON, is currently pursuing a career in publishing with a particular interest in children’s literature.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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