Pizza in his Pocket:

Combine review for below four books:

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TURNING BACK TO ALLAH: SULAIMAN’S CAVING CALAMITY, by Aliya Vaughan (illustrated by Rakaiya Azzouz). Markfield: The Islamic Foundation, 2021, 59pp. ISBN: 9780860378402.

MY FIRST IQRA: LEARN THE ARABIC ALPHABET, by Orin Azizah. Markfield: The Islamic Foundation, 2020, 20pp. ISBN: 9780860377788.

MY FIRST BOOK ABOUT RAMADAN: TEACHINGS FOR TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, by Sara Khan (illustrated by Ali Lodge). Markfield: The Islamic Foundation, 2021, 26pp. 9780860378303.

PIZZA IN HIS POCKET: THE SONG BOOK, by Jawaad Abdul Rahman. Original song performed by Rashid Bhikha and Naadira Alli (illustrated by Natalia Scabuso and Johara Mansura). Markfield: The Islamic Foundation, 2021, 24pp. ISBN: 9780860378754.

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REVIEW

Pizza in his Pocket is a fun and appealing song about a globetrotting little boy who eats his way around the world which has long been a favourite with young Muslim children and their parents despite the logical implausibility of the situation. Here, a young boy seemingly abandoned to his own devices overindulges in all manner of delicious dishes and rather unhealthy treats as he appears to travel alone across distant lands. Where are his parents, a child may ask, and why was he allowed to eat so much?

The song’s lyrics now relayed into a book format are vividly illustrated with engaging and delightful illustrations that are the making of a book like this designed for young children. The drawings of the boy’s travels will particularly resonate with children as they depict spectacular landmarks on the attractive graphical maps of the world, which provide further educational talking points for parents and children, providing questions and intrigue for exploration.