Insha'Allah, No, Maybe So

A sweet and playful picture book about a common Arab word for life's uncertainties that will ring true for all families.

Ranya wants to go to the park. “Insha'allah,” her mom tells her. 

But doesn't that just mean no? Ranya's mom says “Insha'allah” when Ranya asks to make cookies. She says it when Ranya wants to sleep over at Jayda's house. She says it when Ranya begs to go to Disneyland.

This warmly illustrated picture book plays with an all-too-familiar dilemma for parents and caregivers: What do you say when you don’t want to say no, but you can’t promise anything? In some families, the grownups might say “Maybe” or “We’ll see” instead of “No.” In Ranya’s family—and millions of Arab homes around the world—her mom says “Insha’Allah.”

So, what does “Insha'allah” really mean? Ranya and her mom ponder the best way to talk about their hopes and dreams—and maybe, sometimes, the things they want to put off. (Like cleaning up toys!)

Cozy art and joyful, loving characters make this a perfect family read aloud.