Salam Alaikum: A Message of Peace - Hardcover

Harris J is a young British Muslim artist whose debut album, Salam, was released in 2015 by Awakening Records. Born in Chelsea in the heart of London, Harris J is a graduate of the world-renowned BRIT School of Performing Arts and Technology in London. He considers himself a proud Muslim and a true Brit and is now looking forward to taking his new blend of faith-inspired music to the world. Find him online at Awakening.org/HarrisJ, on Twitter and Facebook at @HarrisJOfficial, and on Instagram at @OfficialHarrisJ.

Ward Jenkins is and illustrator and animator from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s illustrated several picture books, including Chicks Run Wild, as well as the Good Crooks chapter book series. Ward lives with his wife and two kids and hasn’t shaved his beard since 2010. Find him online at @WardOMatic.

PreS-Gr 2—The joy of kind acts, big and small, is celebrated in this visually energetic book based on the lyrics of J's popular song of the same name from his 2015 debut album. A sunshiny palette and a host of diverse smiling faces show the many ways people can spread love, peace, and happiness. Each person performs a compassionate action for another person, who then passes it on, starting with a picture book version of J giving his umbrella to a bedraggled woman in a rainstorm. The more love grows, the stronger the community becomes, until finally the city park is full of people glowing with peace. Notably, the author is a self-identified "proud Muslim and true Brit," and the story provides a positive depiction of Muslim ideals with which readers of all faiths can identify. The jubilant digitally rendered illustrations present a visual narrative for the text, which rarely rises above generic inspirational clichés. While the text encourages readers to "always be kind," the illustrations show kindness manifested as shining splashes of yellow and gold, emanating from the do-gooder out into the world. The story is bookended with the informal and formal ways to say and pronounce "Peace be upon you" and "And upon you peace." For non-Muslim readers, back matter about the cultural and religious significance of the title phrase could be helpful. VERDICT Illustrations depicting diverse individuals and a community-centered message make this a timely purchase for libraries.—Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library