Why We're Called Little Hoopoe Books

Have you ever wondered why a small, crested bird became the symbol of a children's book imprint? The answer lies in one of the most beautiful stories in the Qur'an, and it's a story that sits at the very heart of everything we publish at Little Hoopoe Books.

The Hoopoe Bird in the Qur'an

In Surah An-Naml (The Ant), Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) notices that the hoopoe bird is missing from his assembly. When the hoopoe returns, it brings extraordinary news. It has discovered a queen and a people who do not worship Allah. Rather than dismissing this small creature, Prophet Sulayman listens. He sends a letter with the hoopoe as his messenger, and through this act of trust and communication, an entire kingdom is guided toward the truth.

What strikes me most about this story is the idea that even the smallest, most unlikely messenger can carry something of profound importance: a tiny bird carrying a mighty message.

How a Van Sparked an Idea

Funnily enough, the name didn't come to me in a moment of quiet reflection. It came to me on the road. I found myself driving behind a van for a company called CookerBurra. It had a lovely ring to it, and it got me thinking about the kookaburra, a bird I remembered fondly from animal documentaries during my "I'm going to be a vet" era. One bird led to another, and my mind wandered to the hoopoe, a bird with deep roots in Islamic tradition and a story I had always loved. That was the moment Little Hoopoe Books was born.

Why This Story Inspired a Children's Book Imprint

I founded Little Hoopoe Books as an independent imprint because I believe our children are the little hoopoes, and books are their messages. Just as the hoopoe carried words of truth and faith across great distances, a book placed in a child's hands can carry something just as powerful: a sense of identity, a love of learning, and a connection to their faith.

As an Islamic studies teacher and medical professional, I've spent years working with children and families. I've seen how early stories shape a child's sense of identity, belonging, and faith. Yet for so long, Muslim children in the UK had very few books that reflected their world. Books that spoke about the Qur'an, about Islamic values, about the beauty of their heritage, in a way that felt warm, joyful, and genuinely for them.

Little Hoopoe Books was born to fill that gap.

Books That Carry a Message

Every title we publish is chosen with care. Could I be a Hafidh? is my debut as an author, following a young child's dream of memorising the Qur'an. It is a gentle, encouraging introduction to Qur'an memorisation for kids that has resonated with families across the UK and beyond.

Can I Eat Your Nose? brings laughter and learning together, celebrating the idyllic curiosity that makes childhood so special, while staying rooted in a Muslim family's everyday life.

For older children ready to engage more deeply, our My Qur'an Study Workbook offers a structured, beautiful companion for Qur'anic learning. And for those who find peace in colour and reflection, our Uplifting Quotes from the Qur'an Colouring Book brings the words of Allah to life on every page.

A Little Hoopoe. A Mighty Message.

The hoopoe didn't hesitate. It carried its message faithfully, trusting that even a small act could lead to something extraordinary. That is the spirit behind every book we publish.

Our children are the little hoopoes. And every book we place in their hands is a message, one we hope they will carry with them long into adulthood. We want to create the kind of nostalgia that so many of us long for: memories of growing up in a Muslim household where books were central, where stories of the Qur'an were read at bedtime, where faith felt familiar and warm and woven into everyday life. Those are the childhoods we are writing towards.

Welcome to Little Hoopoe Books. We're so glad you're here.

Browse our full collection of Islamic children's books at littlehoopoebooks.co.uk