‘Daddies And Daughters Stick Together’: How This Children’s Book Challenges Traditional Ideas About African Muslim Women

Daddies and Daughters Stick Together children’s book.

I’ve had the honor of connecting with Black women who’ve broadened my perspective about who we are and how we show up in the world. And as I’ve evolved into becoming a mother, it has been enlightening to see different examples of parenting from what I was exposed to as a child.

I refuse to subscribe to the notion that women, especially Black women, can’t do things beyond birthing and raising babies. Check the stats: Black women are among the most educated group in America and we are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs. While much of our success is attributed to our strength and resilience, I believe that having the right support systems allows us to truly thrive. And this is conveyed in a new children’s book called Daddies and Daughters Stick Together.

Boss mom, blogger and influencer Aissatou Balde and her daughter Diariatou Sow co-authored this newly released picture book. It centers the Black family experience, where a stay-at-home father beautifully cares for his daughters while the mother is away for the day.

Illustrator Nandi L. Fernandez artfully captures unique details — from the young girls textured hair to the traditional African dishes they prepare as a family and their mother’s stunning turbans.

When speaking to her “loving husband” Alhassane who is the inspiration behind Daddies and Daughters Stick Together, Aissatou says: “He is a proud girl dad and he selflessly throws himself into his duties – he takes them very seriously. He is there every morning to wake the girls up and get them ready so I can either sleep in or take my time getting ready for the day. I have never heard him say he is too tired to give the girls a piggyback ride or throw them in the air and catch them.”

He also makes me a better mom because he makes parenting easier by taking so much off of my plate. — Aissatou Balde

Read on to learn how Aissatou is challenging traditional ideas about African Muslim women, highlighting the impact Black fathers have on their families and more.

What was your relationship like as a child with your father or men figures in your family?

Growing up, I had the best relationship with my dad! I looked at him the same way Fatima and Diari look at their dad. One of my favorite childhood memories was sitting on our veranda next to my dad reading a book while he read his newspaper. He used to wear glasses and I was so excited when I received my own glasses because I felt like we were twins. My dad never said no to me so that should tell you why I loved him so much. I was a daddy’s girl through and through!

Daddies and Daughters Stick Together Co-Author Aissatou Balde.

In “Daddies and Daughters Stick Together,” we see a mother and wife with responsibilities outside of caring for her home and family. Why was this important to depict in a children’s book?

This was very important to me because I wanted to change the idea of what the traditional African Muslim woman is. There is so much more to us than just having babies, cooking, and watching after the children.

We are independent and have goals we work extremely hard to achieve. — Aissatou Balde

I also enjoy the visualizations of the family and how they love and celebrate cooking recipes together and styling Black hair at bedtime (the bonnets during bath are so cute!). What do you want young children and their families to take away from this experience?

Thank you so much for being one of the first readers! I want readers to see themselves in this book! I want them to not only cherish their relationship with their dad but also use this as a way to come up with fun ways to spend time with their dad. Also, I want parents reading this to their kids to see the power of working and supporting each other.

Family Affair: Aissatou Balde, husband Alhassane and their daughters Diari and Fatima.

How do you communicate with your own children and husband the importance of family traditions and values?

I communicate the importance of family traditions and values by spending time together through language, cuisine and celebrating special occasions like Ramadan and Eid. My daughters speak my native Fulani language, which allows them to communicate with their grandmother back home.

Daddy’s Girls: Alhassane and daughters Diari and Fatima

Can you speak to the significance of depicting positive and healthy daddy-daughter relationships? 

I think it’s extremely important to not only give dads their flowers but also share a different narrative about dads, specifically Black fathers. Our bonds with our dads start from the moment we’re born! While the book emphasizes the relationship between a dad and his daughters, the main purpose is simply to highlight fathers who play their part. Whether the dad lives in the home or not, as long as they are present and doing an amazing job, that’s all that matters. This book is also for kids who may not have their dad present but have a father figure who goes above and beyond for them.