Book Review: Zamzam for Everyone

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta and illutstrated by Bassent Dawoud, explores Hajj from a child’s point of view.

For those who don’t know, Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a mandatory act for Muslims at least once in their lives. Specifically they go to the Kaaba, also known as the House of Allah.

Hajj takes place in 2026 when I’m writing this from May 24-29. Millions of Muslims travel to Mecca during that time to show solidarity with other Muslims and submission of Allah, and as a way to cleanse their sins. There are many rituals and prayers involved, most famously walking around the Kaaba seven times, but also includes a pilgrimage to Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

In the story, Mariam and her parents are at Hajj and her mother tells her it is a time to do good, so she decides to share her zamzam –water from an ancient well — with other people as they complete the rituals. As they go on their journey she meets many people from different countries who also share food and drinks with her and her family.

She meets “new friends speaking a language I don’t know, but somehow understand. Thank you can be a simple smile, a friendly wave, a warm hug.”

At the back of the book there’s the story of zamzam, a special well in Mecca (spelled Makkah in this book) said to be opened by the angel Gabriel for Abraham’s wife Hagar. There’s also a look at some of the foods mentioned in the book, an exploration of all the steps of Hajj, how people dress for the journey and the pillars of Islam.

The book provides a basic overview of what Hajj is and why people do it that would be valuable for Muslim kids and others who want to understand the values of their Islamic neighbors. It’s a sweet story of sharing and helping others as well as a look into a religious experience that people who aren’t Muslim might not know much about.

About the book: 32 pages, hardcover or paperback, published 2026 by Barefoot Books. Suggested retail price $17.99 for hardcover and $9.99 for paperback.

Remembrance Day (marked as Veterans Day in the United States) is Nov. 11, and it marks the end of hostilities in World War I. Poppies are a traditional symbol of the day because it is said they were the first flower to grow again on the battlefields, which inspired a famous poem. Let’s check out some poppy crafts you can make with your kids as part of a World War I unit or for Remembrance Day.

This pretty poppy craft from Krokotak just requires the printable, some crayons, scissors and glue. The printable includes the center of the flower and kids can draw the outside as well as adding stem.

Glued to My Crafts has a printable for a torn paper poppy, or you could color or paint this one as well.

Use torn or cut pieces of paper to make these poppy suncatchers from Red Ted Art.

Happy Hooligans has a bunch of great poppy crafts but I particularly like the painted rocks and easy paper plate poppy.

Crafty Morning has a cute poppy craft made with fingerprints, which is quick and easy to do with kids of any age.

Older kids and adults can make these folded paper poppies from Chica and Jo, but they do involve hot glue and floral wire, which can be sharp, so it’s not for young kids. An easier paper poppy that only calls for regular craft glue can be found at Sugar Spice and Glitter. This one also has a printable template to make it easier.

These felt poppies from One Little Project also use a glue gun and a sewing needle, but they’re so pretty I couldn’t resist sharing them for older kids. Add a pipe cleaner stem or turn them into pins to wear for remembrance events. Check out their coffee filter poppy craft for a great option for younger kids.

Have you read?

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