2018
WISE Score
Amazon
Yasmin is the anti-brain-rot hero your kindergartner needs—a Pakistani American explorer who swaps iPads for maps and neighborhood adventures.
4.7
4.7View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This isn't some dusty classic your kids will roll their eyes at. It’s bright, relatable, and culturally rich without being 'preachy.'
Saadia Faruqi nailed the early reader format here. It’s the kind of book that makes a 6-year-old feel like they can conquer the world (or at least the local farmers market). If you're looking for an alternative to the loud, chaotic energy of modern kids' media, Yasmin is a breath of fresh air.
Perfect for 5 to 7-year-olds. It's a great read-aloud for preschoolers and a confidence-booster for first graders starting to read on their own.
It models a warm, supportive relationship between Yasmin and her father (Baba). The story is grounded in everyday curiosity and family cooperation without any of the snark or 'mean girl' tropes found in some early readers.
While not a fantasy book, it sparks real-world creativity by encouraging kids to see their own neighborhoods as places to be mapped and explored. It turns a mundane trip to the market into a quest.
Completely safe for the target age group. There is no violence, no mature themes, and no scary content. It's about as safe as a book gets.
Strong Pakistani American representation that feels organic, not forced. It also builds literacy confidence with a 'bridge' format—short chapters and lots of visual cues—while teaching basic spatial awareness through map-making.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
