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Insha'allah, No, Maybe So

by Rhonda Roumani

A family conversation about “Insha’Allah”

Regular price $16.47 USD
Regular price $27.45 USD Sale price $16.47 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Editorial selection

    Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

    Gold Standard Selection

AlbakiReads Editorial

A family conversation about “Insha’Allah”

Ranya hears “Insha’Allah” when she asks about the park, baking cookies, a sleepover, and Disneyland—and wonders whether it simply means no. Her questions give this picture book a concrete way to explore how families talk about the future when plans cannot be promised. The conversation between Ranya and her mother also opens space for hopes, wishes, and the occasional task someone would rather postpone, such as cleaning up toys. The book presents “Insha’Allah” as a phrase used in Arab and Muslim homes, connecting an everyday family exchange with questions about language and meaning.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Young children encountering the phrase “Insha’Allah” in a family context
  • Families interested in a picture-book conversation about hopes, plans, and uncertainty
  • Read-aloud settings exploring Arab and Muslim family life

Themes

Language and meaningFamily communicationHopes and uncertaintyArab and Muslim family life

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A sweet and playful picture book about a common Arabic word for life's uncertainties that will ring true for all families.

Ranya wants to go to the park. "Insha'Allah," her mom tells her.

But doesn't that just mean no? Ranya's mom says "Insha'Allah" when Ranya asks to make cookies. She says it when Ranya wants to sleep over at Jayda's house. She says it when Ranya begs to go to Disneyland.

This might sound familiar to parents and caregivers . . . It's hard to know what to say when you can't promise anything! Sometimes grown-ups say "Maybe" or "We'll see." And in millions of Arab and Muslim homes around the world, families use the phrase "Insha'Allah" when talking about the future.

So, what does "Insha'Allah" really mean? In this warmly illustrated picture book, Ranya and her mom tackle the meaning of the powerful phrase and ponder the best way to talk about their hopes and dreams--and maybe, sometimes, the things they want to put off. (Like cleaning up toys!)

Cozy art and joyful, loving characters make this a perfect family read aloud.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Michigan MISelf in Books List Selection
ALA D
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