What Happened to True Fairy Tales Funny Videos With the Owl
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Discussed in my April Wrap Up Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZJ3...
Starts with a re-telling of Rapunzel, then a re-telling of Cinderella and lastly a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. Quite clever how the stories are woven together,
So refreshing to see that this book completely breaks the thinking the girls are princesses who need to be saved and boys are always brave and strong. Love that Sleeping Sara is a plus sized girl.
Re-imagination and middle grade mixed together!Discussed in my April Wrap Up Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZJ3...
Starts with a re-telling of Rapunzel, then a re-telling of Cinderella and lastly a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. Quite clever how the stories are woven together,
So refreshing to see that this book completely breaks the thinking the girls are princesses who need to be saved and boys are always brave and strong. Love that Sleeping Sara is a plus sized girl.
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"It was the only book Rumaysa owned where the characters had similar
This is a collection of three interconnected stories, titled Rumaysa, Cinderayla, and Sleeping Sara. Each reworked a renowned fairytale with a Muslim protagonist, a feminist angle, and a unique dash of magic. Despite aimed at a far younger target audience, I admired and adored the contents. I also appreciated the representation provided. A quote from this anthology accurately describes just why books like this are so important:"It was the only book Rumaysa owned where the characters had similar names to her and shared her skin colour."
More little readers deserve to find themselves within more books like this one.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Radiya Hafiza, and the publisher, Macmillan Children's Books, for this opportunity.
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Rumaysa is the Muslamic retelling of three fairytales – Rapunz
Like any girl, I thoroughly enjoyed the Disney movies—particularly the princess ones. Though I wasn't too fussed about representation at five years old, as I grew older, I yearned to see someone like myself in the media I consumed. Muslims today constitute almost a quarter of the world's population, and yet it seems that the representation we routinely see resorts to pitiful stereotypes, both in media aimed at children and at adults.Rumaysa is the Muslamic retelling of three fairytales – Rapunzel (Rumaysa), Cinderella (Cinderayla) and Sleeping Beauty (Sleeping Sara). Deeply captivating from the get-go, this collection of short but wholesome stories takes the young Muslimah on an exciting adventure. Though South Asia is already a beautifully diverse region, Radiya Hafiza dials this up a notch by including all sorts of whimsical creatures with references to traditional South Asian food and clothing (creamy kheer, anyone?!).
Though I don't read many children's books (I likely will when I have children to authorise what will and won't be making it onto the bookshelf!), I still thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were some minor plot holes and elements of the story that didn't really make sense (why is she wearing her hijab in an abandoned tower and what is the point of a post-Ramadan Eid ball? Lol), it doesn't take away from the positive lessons and good representation of Muslims in this book. What I particularly loved was the references to Rumaysa praying in her tower – "The next day, Rumaysa did her prayers…", "She did her night prayers and got ready for bed." Love that mashaAllah. We seldom see prayer being alluded to adult novels let alone kids' ones, so I love that this is included and prioritised.
The emphases on sisterhood, good company, and supporting one another were evident throughout each story. The three protagonists are both supported by others and support each other in overcoming difficult situations. Though there are a couple of male characters (Harun the Prince of Qamaroon and Suleiman from Farisia), the author makes a point to steer clear of the inappropriate find-a-man-and-falling-in-love clichés and focuses more on the individual and collective journeys of the protagonists.
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I enjoyed the overall concept of this. Popular fairy tales are heavily Western inspired, and there's a real lack of diversity. Everyone is slim with pale skin and reliant on being rescued by a prince. Rumaysa goes against a
Rumaysa reimagines three well known fairy tales with a more diverse, modern cast. Rumaysa has spent her whole life locked up in a tower, spinning straw into good for a wicked witch. Until one day, she gets the idea that her golden spun hijab could be the perfect rope ladder...I enjoyed the overall concept of this. Popular fairy tales are heavily Western inspired, and there's a real lack of diversity. Everyone is slim with pale skin and reliant on being rescued by a prince. Rumaysa goes against all this, offering up stories of female empowerment while I injecting some cultural diversity and body types. It was refreshing, and should be applauded.
However, for me there were two main points that I felt ruined my enjoyment of this. One is that instead of focusing on one specific fairy tale and retelling it in a way that feels different, the story instead tries to incorporate numerous fairy tales and it ends up feeling messy and disjointed. We have Rapunzel mixed with Rumpelstiltskin and hints of Aladdin, moving into Cinderella (actually my favourite part of the book, I loved the feminist take) and then into Sleeping Beauty. Although there's one character who goes between all the stories, it still doesn't feel cohesive and a bit sloppy.
My other main issue is with the writing style. It feels confused as to whether it wants to keep with the traditional style or be more modern in its approach. We have owls talking about going in dates, mixed with discussions of balls and ruling kingdoms. It quite often threw me out of the story. The ending also feels very rushed.
I liked the general idea of this, but I think it struggled to really achieve what it wanted to achieve. It's very hard to take such a wide variety of stories and try to amalgamate them into one.
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Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
[H]er favourite book, 'One Thousand and One Nights'...had beautiful drawings of palaces and animals, women in hijabs and men in magnificent robes. It was a relief to step into someone else's life and escape her tower room, if even just for a moment.4.5 stars
Content warnings: (view spoiler)[loss of a loved one; neglectful and abusive guardian; very mild violence and injury (hide spoiler)]
[Note: All quotes are from the ARC version and may be different in finalised editions.]
This was suc
[H]er favourite book, 'One Thousand and One Nights'...had beautiful drawings of palaces and animals, women in hijabs and men in magnificent robes. It was a relief to step into someone else's life and escape her tower room, if even just for a moment.4.5 stars
Content warnings: (view spoiler)[loss of a loved one; neglectful and abusive guardian; very mild violence and injury (hide spoiler)]
[Note: All quotes are from the ARC version and may be different in finalised editions.]
This was such a sweet, entertaining and original read that was unexpectedly funny too!
'Do all evil people just like towers and one window?', [Rumaysa] said out loud, feeling quite frustrated by now. 'What's the point of being evil if you're not going to be creative about it?'
I loved how the central character Rumaysa connects the Rapunzel tale to the other spins on Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty! The inclusion of Muslim protagonists and South Asian culture was seamless and very refreshing. There were some cool plot twists and some actually quite thrilling scenes!. Bonus point if you love reading flying carpet rides. The illustrations were also whimsy and dynamic and one day I'd love to see how it looks in a paper version!
The characters all felt real and distinct from each other, and I liked that side characters (e.g. Ayla's stepsisters) weren't written as caricatures but like actual children/teens with realistic reactions.
Losing a loved one is a strange thing. It can come upon you out of nowhere, knocking you sideways and changing the colour of your life for many years to come.
I also enjoyed how feminism threads throughout this story without being heavy-handed. This includes challenges to anti-toxic masculinity and there was a nice little bit of anti-classism too. Definitely an enjoyable and recommended read from me!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan's Children's Books for an eARC for an honest review.
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This was SO GOOD!! It has amazing own voices rep, and is just so cute and fun! Highly recommend this one.
SYNOPSIS: (spoilers)
Rumaysa's parents steal vegetables from a magical garden when there is no food or work to be found, as a result when Rumaysa is born, the owner of the garden, an evil witch, takes Rumaysa and places her in a tower protected by an enchanted forest and a poisonous river. No one can get in, and Rumaysa cannot get out. In the tower Rumaysa reads, no idea how she learned, and spins straw in to gold as she sings a song that channels the magic she consumed in utero from the stolen garden. With only rations of oats to eat, a friendly owl named Zabina frequents Rumays daily and brings her berries and news . When he brings her a new hijab, Rumaysa has the idea to lengthen the hijab with bits of gold over time, so that she might escape. When she finally gets her chance, she is met by a boy on a magic carpet named Suleiman, and is both shocked and annoyed that someone got close to the tower, and only after she saved herself. The two however, and Zabina, are caught by the witch and must escape her as well. When that is all said and done, Suleiman gives Zabina a necklace that takes one to someone in need of help. His parents want him to save a princess, he wants to study in his room, so he hands off the necklace hoping it will help Rumaysa find her parents, and he heads off on his flying carpet.
The necklace doesn't transport Rumaysa to her parents, however, it takes her to a street where a girl is throwing rocks in desperation having been denied attending an Eid ball after her dress was torn to shreds. The story starts with Ayla's back story before Rumaysa arrives, but the two girls befriend each other, Rumaysa uses her magic gold weaving abilities to conjure up a new and beautiful dress and golden shoes and the girls head to the ball. When Ayla heads off to get samosas she meets the prince, but doesn't know he is the prince. They argue about the play Layla and Majnun and when her stepmother asks about the dress, Rumaysa and Ayla make a run for it. A shoe is lost, the stepmother comes to know, the guards search for the missing girl, and all is well. Except Harun is incredibly shallow and superficial and only interested in Ayla's clothes and status, so she rejects him and points out that she is much too young for marriage. She instead reclaims her home, fixes her relationship with her stepsisters and begs Rumaysa to stay. Rumaysa makes her excuses and is whisked away to a land that is being ruled by a man and his dragons.
Originally the land of Farisia is ruled by King Emad and Queen Shiva, but they have become unjust and disconnected from their people. When Azra gets a chance to steal Princess Sara and take the kingdom, he does. Rumaysa arrives to free a sleeping Sara from the dragon and restore apologetic and reformed leaders to the thrown.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I do like the spinning of familiar stories and either updating them, or twisting them, or fracturing them, so I am glad to see an Islamic cultural tinge available. I feel like the first story was the strongest conceptually even if the details and morals weren't well established. The second story was strong in the messaging that Ayla, and any girl, is more than just a pretty dress, but the premise was a little shaky and not that different from the original. The third story was a little lacking developmentally for me and all three I felt could have gone stronger in to the religion and culture without alienating readers or becoming heavy. There are characters illustrated in hijab, some in saris, some in flowing robes. Princess Sara is noted to be a larger body type and I appreciated that in elevating the heroines, other's weren't put down. Even within the book, there is diversity which is wonderful.
FLAGS:
There is lying and stealing with consequences. "Shut up" is said. There is magic, death, destruction, and a brief mention of an avian crush.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I could see this being used in a classroom for a writing assignment to urge students to write their own tales. I think it is fourth or fifth grade that children read fairytales from different points of view: think the three little pigs from the wolf's perspective or the Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, and this book would lend itself easily to that lesson as well.
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I loved this book so much! The story was fun and entertaining and also full of south Asian culture that was so familiar to me and the best part was that the characters were Muslim! Muslim princess fairytales, books I wish I could I have had as a kid.
I loved way that Radiya made each story her own while still keeping the original fairytale recognisable. While we don't get to see all the illustrations in the a
This is the book kid me needed and I am so glad it exists now and so wonderfully written.I loved this book so much! The story was fun and entertaining and also full of south Asian culture that was so familiar to me and the best part was that the characters were Muslim! Muslim princess fairytales, books I wish I could I have had as a kid.
I loved way that Radiya made each story her own while still keeping the original fairytale recognisable. While we don't get to see all the illustrations in the arc we do get one of Rumaysa in her tower and it's so cute. My finished copy has arrived and I can say that the art is amazing! Girls in hijab, south Asian culture on full display, I love it so much!
I really loved how three fairytales were woven together with Rumaysa as the central character but not overtaking the other stories. It was so well done and such a wonderful surprise to read those twists. I loved how her hijab is key to her escaping the tower and that we see her struggle with being so isolated and alone. Her sole companion is an owl who helps her escape and is her eyes to the outside world. It was also so great to see that Rumaysa mentions praying her daily prayers and that it gave her structure to her day. The way they were just included as a normal part of her just made me smile.
Rumaysa is a wonderful character, she is determined and resilient and because she has never been outside so she is so grateful for all the experiences she now gets to see because she has missed out for many years and it reminded me of how girls are kept incredibly sheltered and not allowed to experience things and kept at home and so miss out on so many things. Sara's story is also similar in that because her parents are afraid of losing her they go to extremes to keep her safe but that puts her at a disadvantage and she is unable to help those that she is responsible for. It shows how girls are so much more capable than adults give them credit for.
I really loved all three stories even though I'm not a fan of the original Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty story. I especially loved how the princesses saved themselves instead of waiting for a prince to turn up to save them. They helped and supported each other and they knew their worth. Especially Ayla who stood her ground and said she doesn't want to be with someone who thinks wealth and looks is so important. Ayla's step sisters also were a nice surprise. They copied the way their mother behaved towards her and it shows that children will copy what adults will do. But they also knew it wasn't okay and eventually changed for the better and stood up for themselves too.
I loved this book so much and how message of girls supporting girls but also how toxic masculinity was tackled too through Suleiman. He doesn't want to be the type of boy that his parents expect and push him into her prefers building things and being creative, not being outdoors all the time and that this is okay too. This book tackles many issues that are prevalent in the south Asian community in a way kids can understand but also not being so heavy that it takes away from the fun and magic of the story.
Give this book to all the kids you know. Everyone deserves to see themselves as the hero in the story and this book made kid me so very happy.
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It seemed a little like this was setting up for furt
This was such a cute read!! I love the spins on the classic fairytales to include Muslim characters and culture. And some fairytale elements were even combined from different stories which just made for such an entertaining and fun read! The storytelling was simplistic but quite engaging, and the characters were developed just enough for you to like them and want to follow them on adventures! And the friendships were so cute and lovely to read.It seemed a little like this was setting up for further books or stories which I hadn't been aware of picking it up. I had thought it was a standalone and things would be wrapped up, so I was a tiny bit disappointed when they didn't. But if you go in not expecting everything to wrap up, it will be all good!
I think this is just such a great and fun read for kids to see themselves in the classic fairytales!
TW: kidnapping, confinement, fire, death, emotional abuse
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I wanted to read it for so long and got a copy as a birthday gift from a friend. It is a collection of 3 short stories. Rumaysa, Cinderayla and Sleeping Sara are Muslim and desi take of Rapunzel, Cinderella and Sleeping beauty.
The story also focused on women empowerment and showed them their own saviour. I also liked the way the author introduced the prequel of each story which made things more logi
"It was one thing to grieve a loss, but another thing to grieve something you could only imagine."I wanted to read it for so long and got a copy as a birthday gift from a friend. It is a collection of 3 short stories. Rumaysa, Cinderayla and Sleeping Sara are Muslim and desi take of Rapunzel, Cinderella and Sleeping beauty.
The story also focused on women empowerment and showed them their own saviour. I also liked the way the author introduced the prequel of each story which made things more logical. In sleeping, Sara author introduced a plus size girl. That is also a good thing for children to learn that not everyone has to be skinny. It is definitely targeted towards the young audience who won't be as critical as I am. Although there were a few plot holes every fairytale has a few. So I am not gonna discuss them.
I really enjoyed the way the author told the story and the world-building was intriguing.
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I app Rumaysa is a retelling featuring an amalgamation of Rumplestilskin, Rapunzel, Aladdin, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed the story, although I'd be lying if I said I did not get annoyed at some of the inconsistencies, like an Eid ball, Rumaysa wearing a hijab even in the tower, and being aware of her own name when even the witch is not. The story could also be more cohesive, but it felt somewhat scattered. Rumaysa's adventures did not seem relevant to her story, at least in book 1.
I appreciated that it had Muslim representation and mentioned prayers and delicious food.
I did not enjoy the "I don't need a prince" storyline. I understand why the idea would be appealing, but it felt half-done. The prince could've been given more depth than only superficiality and surface-level misogyny. I actually found myself agreeing with his opinion on the tale of Layla and Majnun. Although, ruining your life for any person of the opposite sex because romance seems excessive. Also, 19 is an okay age to get married, depending on your situation.
Unpopular opinion: I haven't ever read a story and wished the characters resembled me. Most of them were detective novels that could take place anywhere or fantasy where I just pretended it was me. I understand the importance of diverse representation in literature. But I believe the sheer amount of energy dedicated (by readers) to getting the right kind could instead be invested into more important things with consequences in the real world. Though, I'm always happy to see a Muslim author thrive.
Conclusively, I opine I'd have enjoyed the story much more as a kid. I plan to read the sequel insha'Allah. ...more
This book was delightful to read the language was so understandable that I think almost any age could read it and get something out of it. The spins and changes that were done to the stories brought a fresh and new type of storytelling, and the way these three stories were retold, I thought was really clever and effective. And the characters themselves were funny and interesting and especially Rumaysa who was a fierce, dedicated and strong individual not usually seen with women in these classical stories. I also liked that it dealt with multiple tones and had many representations from a plus size princess to a feminist main character and how all of these stories were weaves into one was really nice. A great book to sit down and relax to and brilliant for a Disney fan, this in many ways is Disney done right.
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I loved the way Hafiza reimagined the three fairytales, and the way the girls really save themselves and each other. I love that Rumaysa's hijab provides a key part of her escape, and the mention of how her daily prayers calm her and give her structure i
I loved this!! It was a lot shorter (I read it in an hour!) and more simplistic than I was expecting - I would categorise it as a borderline chapter book, so there isn't masses of character development or introspection, but it's just so much fun!I loved the way Hafiza reimagined the three fairytales, and the way the girls really save themselves and each other. I love that Rumaysa's hijab provides a key part of her escape, and the mention of how her daily prayers calm her and give her structure in her days! Rumaysa herself was so determined and kind, and I loved her (and I also loved that the witch mispronouncing her name one too many times is the thing that finally unlocks her anger and her magic - because I relate! And a lot of children reading this sadly will too.)
Definitely a book I plan to get for my 7yo sisters!
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Rumaysa takes three very well known Western fairytales, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella and Sleeping beauty and adds a modern spin. The diversity is stunning! I remember loving all three of these fairytales as a little girl and I honestly think Radiya Hafiza ha I love love love this book! It makes my heart feel so full and happy! Firstly I adore middle grade. I'm a strong believer in that every child deserves to read characters that they can relate to! That represent them, and this does that so well.
Rumaysa takes three very well known Western fairytales, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella and Sleeping beauty and adds a modern spin. The diversity is stunning! I remember loving all three of these fairytales as a little girl and I honestly think Radiya Hafiza has made them even better. The diversity is stunning but she's also made these stories so much more humorous.
There's a real sense of girls saving girls and being able to believe in your abilities which is so empowering. I can't wait for my daughter to read this.
I adored Rumaysa! Shes such a wonderful, heartwarming character. I loved how the stories were interwoven and of course the magic and dragons, I felt so nostalgic too, reading these treasured fairytales. Mostly though I'm so grateful I got to see the day where these tales became inclusive and it makes me feel so proud to be able to review this. ...more
Content warnings for kidnapping, bullying, pa
This was a really sweet retelling of Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Aladdin's stories with a fresh take on old tales. I loved the way the three stories connected and the audiobook narrator really brought each character to life. Rumaysa is a lovely protagonst; kind, trustworthy, and selfless with a keen sense of compassion. It's going to be wonderful for young Muslim readers to read her story and see themselves represented in rejuvenated fairy tale stories.Content warnings for kidnapping, bullying, parental-figure neglect/abuse.
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This is such a cute set of short stories. I am not sure I was expecting that, but they are all linked so really it's one story with three distinct parts. And it works so well. It's a slightly younger middle grade I think, and a very easy read (I think I read it in about 45 minutes), but very enjoyable.
For a start, the concept of a hijabi Rapunzel is LOVELY and I really enjoyed it. I also loved that she got t
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.This is such a cute set of short stories. I am not sure I was expecting that, but they are all linked so really it's one story with three distinct parts. And it works so well. It's a slightly younger middle grade I think, and a very easy read (I think I read it in about 45 minutes), but very enjoyable.
For a start, the concept of a hijabi Rapunzel is LOVELY and I really enjoyed it. I also loved that she got to have faith and we see her praying. And honestly she is just fun - who doesn't love a self rescuing princess?! Rumaysa is a simplified concept, but I think it absolutely does what it sets out to do.
We also get similar own voices short stories centred around Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, which show lots of different aspects. I particularly loved that Sara was fat. Their interactions with Rumaysa are super cute and fun.
These feel like a great way to show your kids that princesses don't have to be white and thin, and to show that there are lots of ways to tell fairytales.
4 stars.
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Does not skimp on the diversity or the sisterhood, and I'd hope to see it in my local children's library.
"It was the only book Rumaysa owned where the characters had similar names to her and shared her skin colour"
A delightful retelling of 3 classic fairytales, with self-rescuing 'Princesses' taking on racism, classism, patriarchy, coercive control, parental expectations, absolutism and Dragons. Told with love, verve, humour and lovely illustrations.Does not skimp on the diversity or the sisterhood, and I'd hope to see it in my local children's library.
"It was the only book Rumaysa owned where the characters had similar names to her and shared her skin colour"
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'Losing a loved one is a strange thing. It can come upon you out of nowhere, knocking you sideways and changing the colour of your life for many years to come.'
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