Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow – BlackRaven Book Review

I have read parts of Abdul’s Story off and on for a year now. Finally, I was able to find the finish copy and sink my teeth in. This story is how a young boy, Abdul, loves telling stories. But writing them is a lot harder. Besides, why write them down? Some stories are meant to be told. Yet, when an author comes to his class, a man who looks like Abul with his straight lines, and unscuffed shoes, he learns that there are many ways to teal a story, and even Abul’s can be written down. It just might take some extra time.

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow has written a picture book that most ages can appreciate, and we all can relate to (if presented currently). Yes, not all of us have issues with writing stories, so we must write, are messy, make a mistake, erase, write again, repeat until we put a hole in the paper, but we all have something that is hard for us.

Tiffany Rose’s illustrations are modern, with a contemporary look to the actual art and the characters of the story. They fit the story’s tone well, but they might not “grab” every reader. As I wonder if a more neurodivergent reader/viewer might have them as “too much.” They are very colorful and well detailed, therefore, allowing them to tell the story and compliment the text at the same time. But even I did find them too “much” at times. Just know your reader and their sensory needs.

This is a nice message story, but also a fun solo read, one-on-one read, or a group reading. And while most ages can read it, it would work best for at least five and up, capping around a younger eight or nine-year-old.