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M. O. Yuksel

One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University Hardcover – Picture Book, March 1, 2022

by M. O. Yuksel (Author), Mariam Quraishi (Illustrator)

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A Horn Book selection for "Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month 2022”

Fatima had one wish . . .

Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors.

As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima’s one wish—her school—served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today!

With lyrical text by M. O. Yuksel (author of In My Mosque) and stunning illustrations by Mariam Quraishi, this true-life portrait of an extraordinary Muslim woman shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams and how we all have the power to change the world for the better.

"This is a well-crafted picture book biography, especially given that so little is known of al-Fihri’s early years. The focus on her legacy, as well as the back matter with time lines and translations, is a strong pull for readers. Who could not love a book about a girl whose first spoken word was “read”? Add this biography to any collection looking to be well rounded when it comes to women’s history."—School Library Journal, starred review

“An inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge. Quraishi’s transporting gouache-and-watercolor illustrations furnish a nuanced portrayal of the early medieval Arab world.” —Kirkus

"Advocating for persistence and education, this picture book adroitly demonstrates how al-Fihri’s Muslim faith inspired her community care." —Publishers Weekly

"In a text rich with imagery, Yuksel (In My Mosque) tells the true story of Fatima al-Fihri, whose one wish was to build a school for all. The illustrations develop their own visual language. A welcome story that emphasizes the intellectual foundations of Islamic North Africa and the importance of charitable work that plants seeds for subsequent generations." —Horn Book

Reading age

4 - 8 years
Print length

40 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Dimensions

9.25 x 0.25 x 11.25 inches
Publisher

HarperCollins
Publication date

March 1, 2022
ISBN-10

0063032910
ISBN-13

978-0063032910
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2–5—This is a beautiful new biography about Fatima al-Fihri, and the university she founded in Morocco. In simple but flowing prose, Yuksel brings al-Fihri's story from the ninth century to the present, weaving a tale of faith and charity through the "one wish" she had, to establish a school for all. Quraishi's illustrations are sweet and subtle—the juxtaposed end papers show al-Fihri's lasting legacy, and the use of a similar fabric on her headdress and in the garments of scholars in the future is a heartwarming touch. This is a well-crafted picture book biography, especially given that so little is known of al-Fihri's early years. The focus on her legacy, as well as the back matter with time lines and translations, is a strong pull for readers. VERDICT Who could not love a book about a girl whose first spoken word was "read"? Add this biography to any collection looking to be well rounded when it comes to women's history.—Aryssa Damron

Review

This is a well-crafted picture book biography, especially given that so little is known of al-Fihri’s early years. The focus on her legacy, as well as the back matter with time lines and translations, is a strong pull for readers. Who could not love a book about a girl whose first spoken word was “read”? Add this biography to any collection looking to be well rounded when it comes to women’s history. — School Library Journal (starred review)

An inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge. Quraishi’s transporting gouache-and-watercolor illustrations furnish a nuanced portrayal of the early medieval Arab world. — Kirkus Reviews

Advocating for persistence and education, this picture book adroitly demonstrates how al-Fihri’s Muslim faith inspired her community care. — Publishers Weekly

In a text rich with imagery, Yuksel (In My Mosque) tells the true story of Fatima al-Fihri, whose one wish was to build a school for all. The illustrations develop their own visual language. A welcome story that emphasizes the intellectual foundations of Islamic North Africa and the importance of charitable work that plants seeds for subsequent generations. — Horn Book Magazine

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins (March 1, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063032910
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063032910
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.25 x 0.25 x 11.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #60 in Children's Middle Eastern History
- #193 in Children's Islam Books (Books)
- #5,563 in Children's School Issues

Customer Reviews:
45 ratings

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M. O. Yuksel

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M.O. Yuksel is the author of IN MY MOSQUE (HarperCollins, 2021), a lyrical picture book that celebrates the joys and traditions found in mosques around the world. It is a 2021 School Library Journal Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, a Chicago Public Library 2021 Best Book, and a New York Public Library 2021 Summer Recommended Read. It received high accolades and starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and the School Library Journal.

M.O. Yuksel is also the author of ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University (HarperCollins, 2022), a picture book biography about Fatima al-Fihri, a 9th-century woman who pioneered the oldest university in the world in Fez, Morocco.

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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 10, 2022

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This book is so long overdue, yet at the same time it was worth the wait. The writing is simply superb: Fatima al Fihri is celebrated, Islam is centered, there are references, and the story compelling. We, Muslims, as a whole know so little about the beautiful impact fellow Muslims have had on the current world and our way of life, that to see this book being celebrated in public libraries, in Islamic schools, at masjids, and retail bookstores, truly makes you sit up a little straighter, and reach confidently to get this book in your hands to share with those around you. Thank you Mindy for these 40 pages of absolute delight, ages 5 and up will read it to learn, read it again to enjoy, and inshaAllah read it repeatedly to be inspired.

The book begins with a Hadith regarding seeking knowledge and leaving knowledge behind. It then begins the biography of Fatima as a small girl curious about the world around her starting with the word Iqra, read, from the Qur'an. It sets the stage of her living in the desert in the early ninth century, a time where some boys went to school and some girls learned at home. Her connection to Islam and it teaching her the value of knowledge caused her wish, to build a school, to grow stronger.

When war destroys her town her family flees to the busy city of Fez, Morocco. She begins to accompany her father to the souk and enjoys listening to talk of planets, distant lands and different languages and wishes these scholars could educate everyone. She grows and gets married and her and her family become wealthy merchants.

Tragically, her father and husband die, and Fatima must decide what to do next for her family. She decides to help her community as a form of sadaqah jariyah and make her wish a reality. She sets out to build a school where everyone can live and study for free. She purchases land, and the building begins. Fatima oversees each detail and names it the al-Qarawiyyin after her hometown in Tunisia. It takes two years to build and it still functions today.

The back matter is just as compelling as the story with an Author's Note, information on The University of Al-Qaryawiyyin, a Glossary, Bibliography, and a Timeline. The only complaint I have about the book, are the illustrations. I really don't understand why half of her hair is showing when based on the time and her connection to her faith, she most likely was a niqabi. I don't understand the continuity of the hijab from a young child to adulthood. I get that it shows her influence moving forward at the end, but it could have been a small print on an outfit for token representation of symbolism, I don't get it as being a complete outfit her whole life.

I absolutely love the role of Islam in both Fatima's life and in this book. It is so much a part of her and her wish, that every reader will recognize how connected her faith and the creation of the University were and I'm confident both Muslim and non Muslim readers will be in awe of her devotion and accomplishments, inshaAllah.

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MuslimMommyBlog

Must have for every library and bookshelf

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 7, 2022

Verified Purchase

Wow! This book took my breath away and is a must have in every school, library, and bookshelf❤️

This gorgeous book based on the story of Fatima Al-Fihri is truly beautifully written and so important to learn about. Beginning the story with a hadith on the importance of knowledge, the book delves into the life of Fatima and her wish to build a University where all can learn! (The first in the world!!!)

Fatima is a refugee who flees her home in Tunis to Morocco. There, Fatima follows her father to the Souq and listens to talk about education. After the deaths of her father and husband, Fatima takes her inheritance and builds the University of Qarawan, which was also a Masjid and a Library. After two years, the university opens and thrives even now as a symbol of Islamic scholarship and of Fatima’s wonderful wish!

Islam was mentioned SO MUCH!!! I was so happy to see the translated hadith, Quran read, Sadaqah Jariyah (and what it means) , Masjids, Athans coming from Minarets, fasting, praying and so much Islamic knowledge! Fatima is truly defined by her faith, Islam, and it is the driving force behind her commitment to knowledge and education! How amazing is it to see a book where Islam is the REASON for the empowerment of a little girl and not another stereotypical story!

❤️My favorite part: Fatima fasted to show her gratitude to Allah for the university being built and when it was done, she made a prayer of gratitude!!❤️

The spreads were gorgeous and my favorite drawings were the beautiful arches of the courtyard at the beginning and end of the book! I did wish the pictures of Fatima’s hijab were more covering of her hair, especially while praying, to show accuracy of salat.

The Author’s note and extra information was super useful in the back and I appreciated all the sourcing!

Truly this book is so important and please request it at your libraries and schools! Books like this counteract stereotypes about Islam and uplift the memory and legacy of amazing Muslim Women in our history such as Fatima Al-Fihri!

Def a must have! Check it out❤️

Helpful

Msbig

Lovely Reclaiming of Muslim Knowledge History

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 6, 2022

Verified Purchase

"Fatima craved knowledge like desert flowers crave rain." This is a beautifully written and illustrated biography of one of the most important Muslim women in history and the way she founded the world's oldest university. The origins of this first university and how it functioned were fascinating and actually prompted me to learn more about it today. I especially enjoyed that this is a story of Muslim scholarship and particularly, Muslim *women* scholarship. To me, this is a reclaiming of the narrative of Muslim women by a Muslim woman writer and an important story for Muslim girls. It was also enjoyable to experience the sights and sounds of 9th century North Africa. Quraishi's vibrant illustrations and Yuksel's beautiful writing create such vivid scenes of hammers clinking, donkeys braying, mint tea splashing, scholars debating, and the call to prayer soothing people in the souqs. So lovely!

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Kindle Customer

A non fiction disguised as a fiction

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 26, 2022

Verified Purchase

This is a very well written book with good illustrations. The book offers a true account of how Fatima established one of the oldest universities in the world but made it digestible by writing it in a fictional story format.
It is a light easy read for parents as well as children.

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S. O.

A must read for all little and big girls!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

Beautifully written and illustrated inspiring story of a girl who dreamt big and made it happen! Perfect in celebration of women’s history month in memory of Fatima al Fihri and her realization of the first University where many famous philosophers and scholars studied including herself. Highly recommended!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

The age range is incorrect. The wording is not easily understood by young children. One must constantly explain words and phrases, which makes storytime boring. Definitely for children in mid-upper elementary.

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