When Saadiyah Musa gave birth to her daughter, she struggled to find children’s books with characters and lives that reflected her own.

Feeling she couldn’t be alone in that struggle, Musa and her husband began selling Islamic children’s books online before expanding into adult titles and opening a physical store on Dominion Road in January 2023.

“It just happened that a market was happening and so I was like, ‘okay, this is probably a good chance to kind of give this a go’. In my head, I imagined no one coming to my stall, but when I did set it up, there were so many parents and families that came and they said: ‘this is exactly what we've been looking for’.”

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My Little Library's book club favourites include books by Syrian-Canadian writer Zoulfa Katouh. (RNZ/Isra'a Emhail)

The former primary school teacher understands the importance of representation. She remembers students’ faces lighting up when they saw themselves reflected in a teacher for once.

“I think it's important for us to normalise a Muslim character on a book … it shouldn't be odd to have a book with a girl in hijab and it shows the world we live in. We live in a world with different people from different faiths that look different.”

Saadiyah Musa says representation in books and toys is important for children. (RNZ/Isra'a Emhail)

On the day I visit, a man who is flicking through some of the books says he’s curious about the faith of some of his co-workers. Musa helpfully clears up some common misconceptions for him.

“In your everyday life, most of the time people don't bring up religion unless something has happened and it's more like in a negative light unfortunately,” Musa says. “But [having this bookshop] is nice because it's a positive space … it's so nice to be able to just talk about Islam and the beauty of Islam.”

It’s rare to have fact-checked, quality Islamic books being sold at a store in New Zealand. Musa believes this may be the only dedicated physical store in the country – others often sell online or through their homes.

My Little Library book store has opened doors to friendships and connection in the community, Saadiyah Musa says. (RNZ/Isra'a Emhail)

But this is more than a bookshop, Musa says. My Little Library has become a community hub. On any given day, it might host children’s activities, a book launch, friends chatting over coffee or people seeking a quiet place to reflect.

“I think it comes back to the human connection. So many of us live lives where we are just so busy – we’re just at work, home or behind the screen - that people are missing in-person connection. So I have people often just come hang out in the store.”

Among the regulars are revert couple Leaza and Kareem Karena (Muslim converts are known as reverts in the community). Leaza was so nervous on her first visit she sat outside in her car, but soon found a welcoming space that expanded her social circle, taught her Arabic calligraphy and deepened her knowledge.

Leaza and Kareem Karena say it's been a blessing to have found a special space like My Little Library. (RNZ/Isra'a Emhail)

They say a space like this, where people can connect and explore while remaining aligned with their faith values, is especially important outside mosques, where Muslims gather to practise their faith.

“To have this place, it's one of a kind in New Zealand,” Kareem says.

“It was just an amazing, safe, warm space that I had found with like-minded sisters, women,” Leaza says. “It was the start of something beautiful.”

The couple also trust the quality of the books on offer. Musa discovered one much-hyped title she repeatedly received inquiries about was AI-generated and contained red flags.

Mohammed Ansari at My Little Library book store on Dominion Road, Auckland. (RNZ/Isra'a Emhail)

For 82-year-old North Shore resident Mohammed Ansari, who takes two buses to visit, the store is a place of solitude and reflection where he can easily spend an hour.

The self-described bibliophile says he's amassed nearly 1000 books (not just religious ones) and holds several VIP bookshop cards. Still, My Little Library holds a special place in his heart.

“Books whisper secrets only the curious can hear. Not everybody can hear the whispering of a book, only the curious person [can],” he says. “A bookshop like this makes you aware that the world is ephemeral, is transitory, it is passing very, very quickly. It's all temporary.”

For him, books are a better investment than the latest gadgets or fashion. “There was an old saying wear an old coat but buy a new book.”

(This story was first published on rnz.co.nz)