A Spoonful of Thanks

A Spoonful of Thanks is an Islamic audiobook for children aged 4 to 9 about Laila, who loves playing so much that she decides not to eat, and who learns that food is a blessing from Allah.

Laila loves Mama, Baba, Baby Lina and her pets, but most of all she loves to play. At breakfast her toast is a boat in her porridge; at lunch her rice is a snowman; at dinner her noodles make funny faces. Mama reminds her to eat with her right hand and say Bismillah, and Baba tells her that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that food is a blessing from Allah that we must never waste. But Laila always leaves a little on her plate. One spoonful won't matter, she thinks.

One morning, Laila says she will not eat at all, and Mama simply says, sure. All day, Laila watches Lina eat while Mama says Bismillah and Alhamdulillah. Her colouring book is full of juicy fruit, and even a cartoon of talking vegetables makes her hungry. When Fat Cat meows for his dinner, Laila admits she is hungry too. Mama offers her cat food, fish food and birdseed, until Laila cries that she wants her own food. At last she has a bowl of soup, says Bismillah, and finishes every spoonful.

The story teaches children the manners of eating that the Prophet ﷺ taught, and it shows in a funny, gentle way why we thank Allah for every meal. It takes about five minutes and is music-free.

• Sahih al-Bukhari 5376: The Prophet ﷺ told a boy to say Bismillah, to eat with his right hand, and to eat from what is in front of him.