Time to Pray
What’s inside...
A visit with Grandmother in the Middle East is always special for Yasmin, but this time it is even more so in this picture book about faith and family. On her first night visiting her grandmother, Yasmin is wakened by the muezzin at the nearby mosque calling the faithful to prayer. She watches from her bed as her grandmother prepares to pray. During her stay, Yasmin's grandmother makes her prayer clothes, buys her a prayer rug, and teaches her the five prayers that Muslims perform over the course of a day. When it's time for Yasmin to board a plane and return home, her grandmother gives her a present. When Yasmin opens the present when she gets home, she discovers a prayer clock in the shape of a mosque, with an alarm that sounds like a muezzin calling the faithful to prayer. Maha Addasi's warm and endearing story, richly illustrated by Ned Gannon, is the recipient of an Arab American Book Award, Honor Book. Featuring text both in English and Arabic, this is a perfect title for children learning more about Middle Eastern cultures and language.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about Yasmin's relationship with her grandmother? How does it make you feel?
Why do you think prayer is important to Yasmin and her family?
How do you think Yasmin felt when she learned to pray? Can you relate to her experience in any way?
What did you learn about Yasmin’s culture and traditions? What was the most interesting part?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own traditions and any similarities or differences with Yasmin’s practices.
Discuss the importance of family and shared rituals, emphasizing how these can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.
Invite your child to talk about moments when they felt proud of learning something new, just like Yasmin felt when she learned to pray.
Utilize the illustrations in the book to explain the cultural context and significance of the prayer rituals depicted.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and respecting religious practices
Explanation: In 'Time to Pray', the protagonist learns the significance of prayer rituals in her grandmother's life, reflecting the importance of religious practices.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and appreciate diverse religious practices they encounter, promoting inclusivity and understanding among peers.
Example Lesson: Importance of family traditions
Explanation: The story showcases the bonding between the protagonist and her grandmother through shared religious rituals, highlighting how traditions strengthen family ties.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to participate in their own family traditions, understanding their cultural heritage and the value of family bonds.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and learning new routines
Explanation: As the protagonist adjusts to a new environment, she learns to incorporate prayer into her daily routine, demonstrating adaptability.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that they can maintain their practices and values even when faced with new environments or changes in life.