Circle of Sandcastles

This adorable book is about a young fourth-grader, Maimuna, who is playing in the park. Suddenly, she notices 3 sixth-grade boys walk into the park and see her classmate, Mumin, building a sand-castle in the sand pit. They ask to play, and when he doesn’t respond, they start to bully him because they assume he is ignoring them. They destroy his sand-castle and he is left in tears. Maimuna knows that he is deaf, which is why he isn’t responding, but she is too afraid to interfere, and is painfully shy of talking to the rowdy boys.⠀ However, after seeing the bullying for a second and then third time, she stands up for Mumin, changing the situation by spreading her hands out and stopping the bullies. She informs them that he is deaf, and two of them feel bad and stop their bullying. The third runs away in shame.⠀ ⠀ Maimuna learns that to change the world around her, she has to stand up for what is right!⠀ ⠀ This book is based on the hadith:⠀ The Prophet (pbuh) said: Whoever amongst you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.”⠀ ⠀ I love how this story motivates children to stand up for others, even if they are scared. It is also important to teach our kids not to make assumptions about others, and that sometimes there may be a reason that a child might not respond to a request of friendship. ⠀ ⠀ I also like that the story addresses that bullies sometimes may be negatively responding to a situation they feel is against them, and might stop if things are explained to them. (Sometimes children that bully others are lonely children afraid of not having any friends)⠀ ⠀ I also made it very clear to my children that any bullying/hitting is unacceptable, and that seeking a trusted adult is a must, especially in situations where they are afraid to get hurt.⠀ ⠀ Get your copy of “Circle of Sandcastles” from the Prolance website or Crescent Moon Store for 18 usd.

link: https://crescentmoonstore.com/products/circle-of-sandcastles

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