10+ Best Islamic Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for engaging Islamic books for 8-year-olds that are both educational and enjoyable? You've come to the right place! Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply looking to gift a meaningful read, finding the perfect book can be a delightful adventure. Keep reading as we explore a variety of Islamic books tailored specifically for 8-year-old readers, each offering a unique blend of stories and lessons to enrich their young minds. Let’s dive in!

Fun Islamic Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This vibrant picture book introduces children to the colors of the Muslim world through the eyes of a young Muslim girl. Each color is associated with an aspect of Islamic culture, such as a blue hijab or a white kufi.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's visually stunning and educational, making it a great way to introduce young readers to cultural symbols in a fun, relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about different cultures.

• Ilyas and Duck Search for Allah by Omar Khawaja, illustrated by Leo Antolini
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Ilyas and his adorable duck friend embark on a whimsical journey to find Allah. They ask various creatures where Allah is, learning about the nature of God in Islam along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses complex concepts in a simple, engaging manner suitable for children, fostering curiosity and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Children who love adventure stories and are curious about spiritual concepts.

• Under the Ramadan Moon by Sylvia Whitman, illustrated by Sue Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book beautifully describes the practices and celebrations during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, under the glow of the moon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for teaching about Ramadan's significance and practices through soothing rhymes and lovely illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in learning about Islamic traditions and those celebrating Ramadan.

• The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard, illustrated by Laura K. Horton
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Sophia wants to fast for Ramadan like her family, but finds it harder than she expected. She discovers other ways to participate and contribute to the spirit of Ramadan.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about perseverance and finding one's own path to spiritual fulfillment, which is a wonderful lesson for young children.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring their personal connections to cultural and religious practices.

• My First Quran Storybook by Saniyasnain Khan
  • Genre(s): Religious, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers simplified stories from the Quran, tailored specifically for children to help them understand Islamic teachings in an accessible way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces major Quranic stories and Islamic morals in a clear, engaging style that respects the intelligence of young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young Muslims and non-Muslims alike who are interested in learning about the Quran and Islamic beliefs.

Educational Islamic Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Tell Me More About Ramadan by Bachar Karroum, illustrated by Tanja Varcelija
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the significance of Ramadan through the eyes of Laila, a young girl who learns about fasting, prayer, and the reasons behind this holy month.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Islamic practices, empathy, cultural awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent introduction to Ramadan, teaching children about the importance of this period in a very engaging and relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers curious about Islamic holidays and cultural practices.

• The Prophet Muhammad Storybook-1 by Saniyasnain Khan
  • Genre(s): Biography, Religious
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers through the early life of Prophet Muhammad, focusing on significant events and moral lessons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, moral values, religious education
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a clear and respectful portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad's life, making it suitable for young children to understand and appreciate.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in the lives of religious figures and learning about Islamic history.

• Allah Knows All About Me by Yasmin Mussa, illustrated by Azra Momin
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: Crafted to resonate with toddlers and young children, this book reassures them of Allah's omnipresence and omniscience in a comforting and simple way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spiritual awareness, emotional security, basic Islamic concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It's beautifully illustrated and written in a gentle tone that helps instill a sense of security and faith in young hearts.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children beginning to learn about their faith.

• Rashad's Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr by Lisa Bullard, illustrated by Holli Conger
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Rashad's engaging story explains the practices of Ramadan and Eid through his own experiences with fasting, prayer, and celebration.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural understanding, religious practices, community involvement
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun storytelling with educational content, making it easy for kids to learn about and look forward to Ramadan and Eid.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in understanding how their Muslim friends celebrate their faith.

• The Wise Fool: Fables from the Islamic World by Shahrukh Husain, illustrated by Micha Archer
  • Genre(s): Folktales, Cultural
  • Synopsis: This collection of tales features Mulla Nasruddin, a popular comic figure in Islamic folklore, known for his wit and wisdom.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, humor, cultural folklore
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful way to introduce children to Islamic culture through humor and wisdom, engaging them in stories that have been told for centuries.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy folklore and those who appreciate stories with a moral.

Challenging Islamic Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Adventures of Malik and Ameerah by Zanib Mian
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Educational
  • Synopsis: Malik and Ameerah use a special time-traveling map to explore different eras in Islamic history, learning about significant figures and events.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book incorporates historical facts with complex ideas about time travel and moral lessons, which are advanced concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun adventures with educational content, making history engaging and accessible to young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young historians and adventurers eager to learn about Islamic history in an exciting way.

• Jannah Jewels Book 1: Treasure of Timbuktu by Umm Nura
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Four young girls travel back in time to ancient Islamic civilizations to recover lost artifacts. Their first stop is Timbuktu, where they learn about the rich history of Muslims in Africa.
  • Why this book is challenging: This series introduces complex historical content and geographical details that require advanced reading skills and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an empowering read that promotes teamwork and curiosity about global history and Islamic culture.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love mystery, adventure, and history.

• Stories of the Prophets in the Holy Qu'ran by Margaret Backhouse
  • Genre(s): Religious, Historical
  • Synopsis: This book provides detailed stories of various prophets mentioned in the Quran, focusing on their missions and the moral lessons they impart.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex religious and ethical questions, presented in a narrative form that requires thoughtful engagement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand important Islamic teachings and the significance of prophets in Islam, enhancing their spiritual and moral education.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in deepening their knowledge of Islamic teachings and stories of moral significance.

• Time to Pray by Maha Addasi, illustrated by Ned Gannon
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Religious
  • Synopsis: Yasmin visits her grandmother in the Middle East and learns about the Muslim prayer times and the call to prayer. This story includes a clock with hands that children can move to match prayer times.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces the concept of prayer times through a physical clock, requiring young readers to apply both their reading and practical time-telling skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s interactive and educational, offering a practical approach to learning about daily prayers in Islam.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about Islamic practices and the importance of prayer.

• Ibn Al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See by Libby Romero
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Ibn Al-Haytham, a pioneering scientist of the Islamic Golden Age who made significant contributions to the understanding of vision, optics, and light.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces scientific concepts and historical contexts that are complex and thought-provoking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the contributions of a Muslim scientist, encouraging an interest in science and history through a cultural and religious lens.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and historians, especially those interested in the contributions of Muslims to science and technology.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 8-year-old develop good reading habits through Islamic books, here are some fun and engaging exercises to try out. Not only will these activities make reading more enjoyable, but they'll also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the material.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and a sense of achievement.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Create a visual map of the story’s events and characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps in remembering details.
  • Tips: Use drawings or diagrams to make the mapping engaging and fun.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book as different characters.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of character actions and motivations.
  • Tips: Use simple costumes or props to make the role-play more exciting.

• Reading Aloud
  • What it is: Read the book aloud to parents or friends.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading skills.
  • Tips: Try different voices for different characters to make it more interesting.

• Question and Answer Exchange
  • What it is: After reading, ask and answer questions about the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and understanding of the text.
  • Tips: Encourage creative and open-ended questions that provoke thought.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Boosts creativity and helps visualize textual descriptions.
  • Tips: Use a variety of materials like crayons, markers, or paints.

• Summarize Chapters
  • What it is: Write short summaries for each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Reinforces what was read and aids in retention.
  • Tips: Keep summaries brief and highlight major points.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making the process interactive, enjoyable, and educational. By incorporating these activities into your child’s reading routine, you'll help them develop a lifelong love for reading and learning. Happy reading!