Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment is a picture book that explores a young girl’s burgeoning passion for science alongside her family’s cultural and religious traditions. Visiting a science fair with her family after praying at the mosque, Khadija is thrilled to see all the different scientists at work but notes that none are wearing a hijab like her mother. One scientist offers Khadija an experiment kit so she can perform the elephant toothpaste experiment at home, but the scientist warns that Khadija should follow the instructions closely alongside her parents, as she would when following a baking recipe. In her excitement, Khadija ignores the scientist’s warning and begins the experiment on her own in the family’s bathroom. Very quickly the experiment gets out of hand as bright foam bubbles up over the edge of the mug Khadija was using, and Khadija cries for her parents’ assistance.

After cleaning up the bathroom and settling in with some chai and samosas, Khadija confesses her worry that she will never be able to be a scientist. Her parents reassure her that the mess with the elephant toothpaste experiment wasn’t a failure, Khadija just has to work with her parents when doing experiments in the future to ensure they are safe. Khadija reluctantly explains that her true worry runs deeper and stems from her not seeing any of the scientists at the fair wearing a hijab. Khadija’s mother affirms that anyone can be a scientist, even women who wear hijabs, and that the only requirements for a scientist are “curiosity and patience”. Pleased with this new possibility, Khadija joins her family in beginning their preparations for the celebration of Eid Mubarak. As the extended family gathers for a delicious meal, Khadija announces her new plans to become a scientist when she grows up. Now with the assistance of the adults in their backyard, Khadija repeats the elephant toothpaste experiment with enthusiastic support from the entire family.

Though its execution is a little obvious, Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment clearly showcases its authors’s passion for science and their desire to make the field accessible to people from all walks of life. Natalya Tariq’s illustrations lovingly capture the cultural specificity of both characters and settings while remaining vibrant and appealing to young readers.