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Gr 3-Up Demi's somewhat reverent picture-book introduction to Muhammad is similar in format to her Buddha (Holt, 1995). Born into a powerful and influential Meccan tribe in the year A.D. 570, Muhammad was nursed for five years by a desert woman who recognized his "inner beauty and greatness." Between the ages of 40 and 63, he had many visions that revealed to him the words that became the Koran and the Five Pillars of Islam. Although he quickly gained many followers, his attempts to convert the idol-worshipping Meccans to monotheism annoyed the Quraysh tribal leaders, forcing the Muslims into military confrontations. Ultimately, he was a...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Demi tells the story of the prophet Muhammad from birth to death, explaining the creation of Islam and the Koran. While her text presents his life point by point with little embellishment, the illustrations are lively—surprisingly so, given the restrictions placed on them. For one thing, Islamic law states that Muhammad may not be depicted; Demi overcomes this obstacle by showing him as a gold silhouette. This means that the pathos and much of the action rely on her portrayal of secondary characters and the sett...Log In or Sign Up to Read More