Book Descriptions
for Insha'allah, No, Maybe So by Rhonda Roumani, Nadia Roumani, and Olivia Aserr
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Every time Ranya asks for something—a trip to the park, a sleepover, going to Disneyland—her mom says “insha’Allah,” (if Allah wills it). To Ranya (brown-skinned), it feels like her mom is really saying “No.” But, her mom clarifies, “insha’Allah” doesn’t mean no, or even maybe. “We say it when we want something to happen but don’t know if it will. Sometimes Allah has other plans.” Ranya asks, “What were Allah’s plans for us last night? You said insha’Allah we could bake cookies, but we didn’t.” Her mom explains that she didn’t finish her work in time to bake cookies. “Next time, I should say ‘We can bake, insha’Allah, if I finish in time.’” She adds that just because something hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t. She’s already planning to reschedule the sleepover that couldn’t happen the week before, and the clouds have cleared up so a trip to the park that afternoon is possible. As for Disneyland? “We will take you to Disneyland … before you turn eighteen. Insha’Allah.” A child-centered story offering insight into a phrase and idea common to Muslims and Arabs of all faiths around the world will be relatable to any child who’s ever been told “maybe” and assumes it means “no.” Art full of pleasing details underscores the warmth and relatability of Ranya’s family.
CCBC Choices 2025. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2025. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
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!
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!
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
