The Proudest Blue: A Story of Strength, Culture, and Owning Who You Are
Sometimes, the most powerful stories come in the simplest packages. The Proudest Blue by Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad isn’t just a picture book, it’s a celebration of identity, family, and standing proud when the world doesn’t always understand you.
The book follows two sisters, Faizah and Asiya, on a big day, Asiya’s first day wearing her hijab. But this isn’t just any hijab. It’s bold. It’s bright. It’s the proudest blue you’ve ever seen.
What the Story Teaches Kids (and Us!)
- Celebrating Muslim Culture: The book beautifully introduces the hijab as more than clothing, it’s a symbol of faith, strength, and beauty. Through Faizah’s eyes, we see how deeply connected it is to identity and belonging.
- Looking Different Can Be Hard: Not everyone understands cultural traditions, and Asiya faces stares and teasing. But here’s the magic; instead of shrinking, she stands tall, teaching kids that differences aren’t weaknesses, they’re superpowers.
Resilience and Confidence: Asiya wears her hijab like a crown, showing kids how to respond to unkindness with quiet strength. The message is clear; be proud of who you are, even when others don’t get it.
Sisterhood and Support: Faizah looks up to her big sister, learning from her calm, confident response to challenges. It’s a gentle reminder for parents and kids alike about the power of family in shaping self love.
- Stand tall in who you are: The book shows the power of being proud of your identity, even when others don’t understand it.
- Don’t let others dim your shine: Teasing and questions will come, but your pride and confidence are stronger than someone else’s doubts.
- Family support matters: Big sister, little sister love is central. Having someone who encourages you makes your tough days easier.
- Hijab is more than fabric: It’s shown as a symbol of beauty, faith, and strength. A reminder that what you wear can carry deep meaning.
- Kindness over cruelty: The story subtly pushes back against bullying and shows the importance of empathy.
- Visibility is power: Representation in books is important! This story helps kids see themselves (or others) with dignity and joy.
Why Families Will Love This Book
The illustrations are stunning; bold blues, warm tones, and images full of heart. They make kids pause and talk, which is exactly what makes this book special.
It’s also a brilliant way to start conversations about diversity, acceptance, and identity. Whether your child wears a hijab or has friends who do, this story helps build empathy and understanding.
Takeaway for Parents and Kids
The Proudest Blue reminds us all that:
- Your culture is something to celebrate. What makes you different makes you beautiful.
- Confidence is contagious, and kids learn it from us.
This is more than a book; it’s a doorway into conversations about Muslim traditions, kindness, and standing tall in a world that sometimes misunderstands difference.
Has anyone read this book before? If yes what’s your opinion on the book and how did yor children react to it?
We would love o hear from you.