About the author and book:

Mariam Al-Kalby, storybook writer, poet, blogger, wife, and mother of two girls (ages 3 and 1) has teamed up with Prolance, a full service book publishing organization serving the local community, to bring you a first of its kind children's book series called "The Prophet Says."

This series will be a collection of books dedicated to bringing to life, in an imaginative yet basic way, several different Hadiths (Prophetic sayings and traditions) so that children of all ages can learn from them.

The first one will be named "The Apple Tree," which tells the story of Little Shaima, a young girl who learns the virtues of planting a fruit tree with her dad. When this fruit tree starts to bear fruit, Little Shaima learns the valuable lesson of generosity and giving charity. The story is based on the Hadith:

"When a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity" (Sahih Muslim).

The author, resident of Southern California, hopes that this story and the series as a whole will teach Muslim as well as non-Muslim children not only the different Hadiths that exist, but also the numerous life lessons that come from learning them.

She also hopes this series will contribute in adding more fictional books into the market of Islamic literature.

Take a look at these articles expressing the lack of Islamic fictional books:

Article 1

Article 2

Your funds will help achieve:

Mariam is striving to make this project one with a strong sense of quality! She wants to go above and beyond when it comes to the publishing of this book because she feels there is a lack of quality when it comes to Islamic books. That is why she is hoping to collect enough funds to choose state-of-the-art services to produce these books.

Your contribution will help in more ways than one! Funds collected here will go towards three areas:
    •    Hiring very talented and experienced illustrators.
    •    Printing the books at a high-end printer in hardcover.
    •    Distributing the books online and at bookstores worldwide.

Message from the author:

It is important for people to donate to publishing Islamic children’s books like these for many, many reasons. Here are a few:

• You're helping the Muslim Ummah which will result in you getting Hasanat (reward) for doing so. It can be looked at as a type of charity.
• You will also be building and creating role models for our children.
• It will create an Islamic identity for children and youth.
• You are also supporting Muslims writing their own stories instead of other people writing for us.
• Books like these will educate our Ummah by building a better understanding of Islam for muslims as well as non-Muslims alike...promoting Dawah and an interfaith initiative of understanding and knowledge.
• You will also be helping women grow in their careers.
• You will be supporting a project that celebrates diversity and various cultures under the same umbrella of Islam.
• Creating more diverse and unique books with a high sense of quality.
• Sharing Islamic knowledge to correct misconceptions and stereotypes.
• Promoting Islamic values and ideals that are universal.
• Bringing more fiction books into the realm of Islamic literature, where there is a big void.

Other ways you can help:
    •    Get the word out - spread to your email lists, facebook friends, etc.

THANK YOU,
Author- Mariam Al-Kalby
Publisher - Angie El Sherif