Muhammad by Demi, ill. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003.

ISBN: 0689852649

Media: paint and ink

The story of Muhammad is portrayed with beautiful illustrations in Persian miniature style.  This historical based text tells the story of Muhammad as he grows to be a prophet of Allah. 

 

Literary Devices: sophisticated language

Artwork: The artwork in Muhammad reflects a number a variety of techniques which are in part due to religious reasons and also based on artistic nostalgia.  The illustrations are rendered in paint and ink and in the Persian miniature style.  This style was chosen by Demi as it is one of the earliest forms of art in book illustrations.  The pictures are flat and have two dimensions with the composition leading the readers eye by using geometric shapes, contrasting colors and also using characters in the story to face the the focal point.  Having characters in the story face where the illustrator wants you focus is in part due to many illustrations using a solid gold impression of Muhammad whereas all other characters have facial expressions and clothing.  This is due to the religious belief that can be found in the ten commandments that states "thou shalt not create graven images", therefore the prophet Muhammad is illustrated as a n impression and not as a developed artistic impression that can lead to a brand image. 

Rating: 5Q/5P

Wess Garcia, August 2009

Citation:  Muhammad by Demi and Demi, ill. New York: Margaret K. McElderberry Books, 2003.

ISBN: 9780689852640

Annotation: The life of Muhammad, his discovery of the Koran, the Five Pillars of Islam, and the beliefs of the Muslim faith are chronicled in this beautiful biography of Muhammad.

Media: Illustrations based on the style of the Persian miniature.  It is a two-dimensional format that focuses on geometric pattern and color. Muhammad and God aren’t shown according to Islamic tradition. Muhammad is depicted as a gold figure.

Personal Rating: 5Q/5P

Curricular Connections:  This is an excellent biography of Muhammad. It would fit nicely into a unit on Islam, which is taught in Seventh grade History or for a biography unit. Demi’s artwork beautifully enhances the text, which covers Muhammad’s life, the five Pillars of Islam, and the Koran.

Grade Level or Age Range: Grades 5-9

By: Joanne Maher July 27th, 2009