A girl learns the meaning of "insha'Allah" in this tender and diverting picture book by Syrian American journalist Rhonda Roumani (Tagging Freedom), sister Nadia Roumani, and illustrator Olivia Aserr (Mama in Congress).
In Insha'Allah, No, Maybe So, Ranya, a sepia-skinned child with flushed pink cheeks, walks past the park with her stylish, grocery-toting mom. Ranya asks Mama to go to the park and is upset when her mom replies, "Insha'Allah," and keeps walking. Her mother explains to the grumpy child that "insha'Allah doesn't mean no. It means God willing." But "it always feels like no when you and Baba say it," Ranya pouts. Her mama points to the dark clouds and explains she said insha'Allah because she's hoping the "pesky rain clouds will clear." In response, Ranya lists situations when her mom said insha'Allah and it meant "no" (baking cookies, a slumber party). Mama patiently provides explanations: "We say it when we want something to happen, but we don't know if it will. Sometimes Allah has other plans."
The Roumanis use their author's note to define insha'Allah and outline who uses it (Muslims and Arabs "around the world"), when it is used ("multiple times a day"), and provide similar words in other languages ("ojalá" in Spanish means "hopefully" and "comes from" insha'Allah). The Roumanis use simple language to skillfully depict Ranya's growing understanding; equally importantly, they show the mother's patience and care in her responses. Aserr's watercolor and digital illustrations complement and support the text, capturing the diverse neighborhood and moments of mother/daughter closeness. A funny, thoughtful introduction to a common, powerful Arabic word. --Hadeal Salamah, blogger, librarian, freelance reviewer