10+ Best Islamic Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for engaging Islamic books for 3-year-olds to introduce your little ones to the beauty of your faith? Finding the right books can be a delightful journey into Islamic teachings, tailored just for toddlers. Whether you're looking for stories to spark their imagination or simple introductions to Islamic principles, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to discover various lists of Islamic books for 3-year-olds that are perfect for bedtime stories or interactive reading sessions!

Fun Islamic Books for 3-Year-Olds

• My First Quran Storybook by Saniyasnain Khan
  • Illustrator: N/A
  • Genre(s): Religious, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the stories of the Quran in a simple, engaging way. It covers well-known stories, adapted for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed to instill a love of the Quran's stories from a young age, using simple language and captivating illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young Muslim children beginning to learn about their faith.

• Allah Knows All About Me by Yasmin Mussa
  • Illustrator: Azhari Zain
  • Genre(s): Religious, Board Book
  • Synopsis: Tailored specifically for toddlers, this board book reassures them that Allah is always watching over them, in a comforting and loving way.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its sturdy design is perfect for little hands, and the reassuring message helps nurture a child's connection with Allah.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are just starting to explore the world around them.

• Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan
  • Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Cultural
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book uses colors to introduce children to the culture and customs of Islam, from the red prayer rug to the blue hijab.
  • Why we recommend this book: The vibrant illustrations and simple text make it a wonderful way to learn about Islamic culture through the concept of colors.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy colorful picture books and are curious about different cultures.

• Ilyas & Duck Search for Allah by Omar Khawaja
  • Illustrator: Leo Antolini
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Religious
  • Synopsis: Ilyas and his friend Duck go on a whimsical journey to find Allah, exploring different aspects of the world around them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful and imaginative book that engages children in a spiritual quest, fostering curiosity and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories of adventure and exploration.

• Thank You O Allah! by Ayesha bint Mahmood
  • Illustrator: N/A
  • Genre(s): Religious, Gratitude
  • Synopsis: This book encourages children to see everyday blessings and express gratitude to Allah for the simple things in life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches gratitude and mindfulness through a relatable Islamic perspective, promoting a positive attitude.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning to appreciate and give thanks in their daily lives.

Educational Islamic Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Rahma's First Fast by S.K. Ali
  • Illustrator: Jenny Reynish
  • Genre(s): Religious, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Rahma is excited to try fasting for the first time during Ramadan, sharing her day with family and learning about patience and spirituality.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Ramadan, patience, family bonding, religious practices
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the concept of fasting in Islam, presented through the eyes of a child, making it relatable and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young children experiencing or learning about Ramadan and fasting for the first time.

• Baba, What Does My Name Mean? by Rifk Ebeid
  • Illustrator: Elsa Estrada
  • Genre(s): Educational, Cultural
  • Synopsis: A little girl asks her father about the meaning of her name, and each explanation includes a story related to Islamic history or values.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, vocabulary, Islamic history
  • Why we recommend this book: It connects children to their cultural and religious heritage through the stories behind names, making each name a learning experience.
  • Perfect for: Children curious about their identity and the significance of names in Islamic culture.

• A Little Tree Goes for Hajj by Eman Salem
  • Illustrator: Vicky Amrullah
  • Genre(s): Religious, Educational
  • Synopsis: A young tree named Tariq learns about the Hajj pilgrimage and dreams of visiting the holy sites in Mecca, exploring the rituals and significance of Hajj in Islam.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Hajj, spiritual growth, Islamic practices
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces the important Muslim pilgrimage in a very creative and accessible way, using nature as a narrative element to explain religious practices.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are being introduced to the concepts of Islamic rituals and the importance of Hajj.

• Colors of Islam by Aalia Lanius
  • Illustrator: Diana Moshier
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Cultural
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates the diversity of the Muslim community through colors, showing how each color represents different aspects of Islam and its teachings.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, diversity awareness, understanding of Islamic culture
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a simple concept like colors to teach children about the rich diversity and values of Islam, promoting inclusivity and tolerance.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers learning about colors and those interested in understanding cultural diversity within Islamic contexts.

Challenging Islamic Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Little Muslim's Book of Allah's Names by Umm Aamina
  • Illustrator: Aisha Changezi
  • Genre(s): Religious, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young children to the 99 names of Allah, each accompanied by a simple and meaningful explanation tailored for young minds.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces complex concepts of theology and attributes of Allah in a simplified manner, which can be intellectually stimulating for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps inculcate a deep respect and understanding of Allah's attributes from an early age, fostering a personal connection with their faith.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are beginning to explore the foundational concepts of Islam.

• Stories of the Prophets for Toddlers by Sara Khan
  • Illustrator: Aliya Husain
  • Genre(s): Religious, Historical
  • Synopsis: This collection brings simplified stories of various prophets from Islamic history to life, tailored to capture the imagination of toddlers.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with historical and religious narratives that require understanding beyond typical toddler books, which usually focus on basic concepts or stories.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces major figures of Islam through engaging stories, which helps in building a strong foundation of faith and history.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers ready to hear about historical figures and events in an age-appropriate format.

• Counting with Noor by Huda Essa
  • Illustrator: Azra Momin
  • Genre(s): Educational, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: Noor learns to count using Islamic cultural elements, from one mosque to ten dates, integrating basic arithmetic with elements of Islamic tradition.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book combines learning numbers with cultural education, providing a dual-layered learning experience that is advanced for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun way to learn counting while simultaneously getting familiar with Islamic symbols and practices.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are starting to learn numbers and have an interest in their cultural background.

• My First Book of Dua by Hasanah Essop
  • Illustrator: Ayesha Rubio
  • Genre(s): Religious, Prayer Book
  • Synopsis: This book compiles essential Duas (prayers) for daily activities for children, presented in an easy-to-understand format with appealing illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: Memorizing and understanding the context of Duas introduces young readers to the practice of mindfulness and spirituality in daily life, which is a complex concept for a toddler.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages the practice of remembering Allah throughout the day and instills the habit of praying from a young age.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn and memorize short prayers in their daily routine.

• The Story of the Elephant by Shade 7 Publishing
  • Illustrator: Parwinder Singh
  • Genre(s): Religious, Historical
  • Synopsis: Based on the Surah Al-Fil from the Quran, this book tells the story of the Year of the Elephant, when Allah protected the Ka'bah from an invading army led by an elephant.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces historical events and miracles from the Quran, which are significant but complex topics for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It presents a miraculous story in an engaging way, helping to build trust and awe in the power of Allah.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories with animals and are learning about key historical and religious events.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young children to the beauty of reading can be a delightful journey, especially when it involves enriching content like Islamic books. At the tender age of 3, children are sponges eager to absorb knowledge and stories that shape their understanding of the world. Here are some engaging exercises to help your little one develop good reading habits with Islamic books:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading exercise where you look through the pictures of an Islamic book with your child.
  • How it helps: Encourages curiosity and sets a context before reading the text.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the book might be about based on the pictures.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Using picture cards or cut-outs from the story, help your child arrange them in the order they appear in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Start with two to three main scenes and gradually increase as your child gets more comfortable.

• Character Puppet Show
  • What it is: Create simple puppets representing characters from Islamic stories and use them to retell the story.
  • How it helps: Boosts imagination and helps children remember the characters and their actions.
  • Tips: Let your child help make the puppets and use them during storytelling.

• Sing-Along Reading
  • What it is: Turn the rhyming parts of Islamic books into little songs or chants to sing with your child.
  • How it helps: Makes reading fun and memorable while improving phonemic awareness.
  • Tips: Keep the tune simple and catchy to encourage your child to sing along.

• Match the Sentence
  • What it is: Write simple sentences or phrases from the book on pieces of paper and have your child match them with corresponding pictures.
  • How it helps: Reinforces language skills and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Use clear, large print and familiar images from the book for easy recognition.

These exercises are not only fun but are also foundational in building early literacy skills in young children. By incorporating Islamic books into these activities, you also help instill valuable moral and cultural lessons at an early age. Happy reading and exploring together!