Every parent knows the feeling of searching for children's books that are genuinely engaging and sound in their message. For Muslim families the search is harder still: the story has to hold a child's attention and rest on the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah as understood by the Salaf. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to point others toward good:
Whoever guides someone to virtue will be rewarded equivalent to him who practices that good action. (Riyad as-Salihin 173, Sahih Muslim)
Placing the right book in a child's hands is one small way of doing exactly that. One publisher we think deserves far more attention for getting this balance right is DreamForward Books — and this spotlight walks through their titles on our shelves.
Who Is DreamForward Books?
DreamForward Books produces fiction for Muslim children that is rooted firmly in the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah upon the way of the Salaf as-Salih. What sets their stories apart is that each one is built around a specific sunnah or point of good character, so a child absorbs the deen naturally through an adventure rather than a lecture. That pairing — real storytelling quality alongside soundness of creed and methodology — is exactly what makes them worth seeking out, and exactly why they too often get overlooked next to bigger names.
Sentries of the Sunnah — An Adventure Series for Ages 7–12
The heart of DreamForward's catalogue is Sentries of the Sunnah, a chapter-book series following a group of schoolboys who form a club to learn and practice the Prophet's ﷺ sunnah as the Salaf understood it. Each book stands on its own while building the same cast of characters, making the series ideal for independent readers roughly ages 7 to 12.
The series opens with Sentries of the Sunnah: Nabeel's Pants — Book 1 ($15.00), in which the boys decide to wear their trousers and thobes above the ankles and must hold to that sunnah despite ridicule at school. In Adnan's Anger — Book 2 ($15.00), a new student learns to master his temper through the guidance of the sunnah. Don't Pass in Front! — Book 3 ($15.00) turns the etiquette of not walking in front of someone in prayer into a memorable lesson, while Mystery in the Masjid — Book 4 ($15.00) weaves a gripping search for a missing friend around obedience to parents and respect for the masjid. The series rounds off with The Mistakes of a Sentry — Book 5 ($15.00), where a boy's shortcut backfires and teaches the tests that matter most: fearing Allah, honesty, and integrity.
For families who want the whole journey in one go, we now offer the Sentries of the Sunnah Complete Set (Books 1–5) ($65.00) — all five titles together at a saving over buying them individually, and a ready-made reading shelf or gift.
The Anfaal Books — Gentle Character Lessons for Younger Readers
For younger children, DreamForward offers two warm, relatable stories by Wahb at-Tamimi. Anfaal is Fair ($19.00) follows its young heroine through an everyday situation that gently teaches fairness and justice, and Anfaal's Pretty New Pencils ($16.00) continues with the same character in another simple, everyday lesson in good Islamic manners. Both are approachable picks for children who are just beginning to connect stories with the values behind them.
A Ramadan Mystery — The Case of the Ramadan Wrecker
Rounding out the collection is The Case of the Ramadan Wrecker (Revised 3rd Edition) ($23.00) by Tahany Bahloul — a Ramadan-themed chapter book that wraps a fun mystery around the spirit of the blessed month. It's a natural addition to a child's Ramadan reading in the weeks leading up to the season.
Why These Books Belong on Your Child's Shelf
The reason we keep coming back to DreamForward is trust. Parents can hand these books to their children knowing the creed and methodology behind them are sound, while the children simply enjoy a good story. Between the younger Anfaal titles and the middle-grade Sentries of the Sunnah series, there is something here for a wide span of ages, and every one of them makes a thoughtful gift for Eid, Ramadan, or a young reader taking their first steps into chapter books.
If you're building out a home or classroom library, pair these with our spotlight on Umm Assad Publications, our roundup of First Books of Tawhid for Little Muslims, and our wider list of 10 Must-Have Islamic Books for Children for a well-rounded shelf that nurtures both the mind and the heart.
Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon.
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