An Islamic children's book all about making amends whenever you make mistakes!
Omar has snatched something from the doorman of his building that doesn’t belong to him - a sticky piece of yummy baklava ! His mistake is following him around, even into his dreams. How will he make amends?
Snatched is a colourful and rich story about telling the truth, and erasing bad deeds by doing good deeds! Snatched is a really sweet picture book set in Egypt about a little boy named Omar who makes a mistake but owns it and makes amends with his mom’s help. He confides in his mom, who helps him with rectifying the situation and making more baklava for the doorman, who initially thought the cat ate it
This story is based on the following hadith:
It is narrated from Abu Dhar (RA) that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhe Wassalam) said:
"Be conscious of Allah wherever you are. Follow the bad deed with a good one to erase it, and engage others with beautiful character." [Jami At-Tirmidhi]
The beautiful and bright illustrations will catch your kids' attention, and they'll want to read this story again and again!
Recommended For Ages 4 +
Written by Asmaa Hussein
Book Review by MuslimReads.com
"Literature is a low-stakes opportunity to practice for the real world, and there is nothing better for kids to see in literature than other kids not only making mistakes, but also feeling remorse, and figuring out how to make up for those mistakes. This book does that beautifully; Omar’s mother gives him exactly the advice I’d like to give my own children, and when Omar goes to make amends to Amo Mohamed, Amo Mohamed’s reaction reflects exactly what I want my children to believe about the world.
But my favorite thing about this book is the setting. It’s set in Egypt, and it so perfectly captures Egyptian streets, Egyptian life, and even Egyptian doormen that it took my breath away to see it in a children’s book. From the very first page, I was 100% sure that this was happening in Egypt, not some other Arab country, but Egypt. I lived in Egypt for many years, and the combination of the textual references and the illustrations so perfectly captured it that I was transported back there. (Whether or not that’s a good thing is another story, ha ha.)
I really take my hat off to Asmaa Hussein for writing and publishing books like this one and like Bismillah Soup that give children the chance to experience another culture through a book. For children who don’t have the opportunity to travel, books are one of the key ways they can see how their peers around the world lead different and yet similar lives to their own. Egypt (or Somalia in Bismillah Soup) is such a wildly different place than Canada or the US, and yet Omar’s struggles are not different at all. In sharing a story, children can recognize their shared humanity, and this is one step toward raising responsible and aware global citizens .....
I highly recommend Snatched for everyone who loves picture books and anyone who would like a peek at Egyptian life and culture."
Book Review by Alina Hasan
"It’s really amazing when a book can connect to a child and allow them to explain their feelings, that are sometimes difficult to explain. After we read this exquisite story, my little one understood guilt on a deeper level. She explained to me she felt similar when breaking her sisters Lego structure (on accident) the night before and resolved to make her a new one and admit her mistake. I truly believe books are much more than entertainment, they are a way for children to understand the world around them, and to understand themselves.
I cannot say enough about this beautiful story. I am so grateful for it being the vehicle for my daughter to understand that mistakes are ok- we follow it up with good! SubhanAllah. I have explained that to my kids so many times with dry examples and as they stifled their yawns—haha!but this illustrates exactly what I’ve been trying to inculcate within, to never despair at Allahs mercy, he erases our sins through good."
Book Review by Sarah
"The premise of this story is such a common issue that all kids go through at some point, so to see it not only addressed to honestly, but in such a creative and gentle way was absolutely wonderful. I love the authentic cultural references sprinkled throughout the story and the illustrations - my parents are from Egypt, and the language and imagery in the book brought me right back to Cairo! And the best part is how the whole story all ties back to such a simple lesson - when you do something wrong - even if it’s stealing! - you can always erase a bad deed by doing a good deed."
Book Review by Anum
"'This is a beautiful story based on a Prophetic Hadith (Sallallahuu Alayhe Wassalam). The lessons, the characters, behaviors and emotions all relatable to both kids and parents. I love that the mother is portrayed as hardworking, compassionate and God-conscious.
I also love the setting of this book and the illustrations of the buildings and streets and that old plastic chair are spot on.
The fact that the story is centered on baklava is such a creative and delicious choice!"
Book Review by Tuqa
"There is something about Asmaa Hussein's books that captures my children's attention immediately. A simple story about honesty and learning to tell the truth, fix our mistakes, and forgive that any child can relate to. The characters are relatable and the illustrations are great!"
Book Review by Hibz
"Kids enjoyed this sweet book, and were def able to relate to the characters; and the tough lesson of honesty, and the courage it takes to admit a mistake, apologize for it, and make it up to the person (and what's better than baklawa for that) =) "
Book Review by Zahra
"This sweet book lends a great lesson on honesty, self control and the importance of apologies when we’ve done something wrong.
We love the illustrations and always end up craving baklawa by the end of it
