Category Archives: Eid Al Fitr

Jan26

The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afzal illustrated by Shiva Delsooz

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The Eidi Bag by Shazia Afzal illustrated by Shiva Delsooz

This adorable 32 page picture book, is not just a story about celebrating Eid al fitr, it weaves in themes of culture, faith, anticipation, disappointment, change, and appreciation.  It is Sarah’s first Eid in a new country and she has made herself a new Eidi bag just for the occasion, to collect the money she will receive from friends and family to celebrate the holiday, and then use to buy treats to share.  Except other than her parents and grandfather, no one gives her Eidi.  She longs for Pakistan and the traditions that she is used to, when slowly she sees that new and different traditions can also be fun and filled with love and joy.  The slow realization and protagonist point of view are skillfully done in keeping the story engaging, the arc smooth, and the lessons nuanced.  The beautiful illustrations, tug at your heart and bring the story to life making me confident that it will be a highly sought after addition to any book shelf for story time, bedtime or independent readers, Muslim and non Muslim alike.

The book starts with Sarah running into the kitchen on Eid morning to show her Mama her Eidi bag and ask for her Eidi. Her Mama lovingly gives in and reminds her that it isn’t polite to ask for Eidi.  Sarah repeats the requests when Baba and Dada ji enter, and Mama rolls her eyes.  The family is then off to the masjid to pray, listen to the khutba and give donations.  At each turn of greeting friends, Sarah shows off her bag, and yet no one offers her Eidi, much to her confusion.  On the way home Sarah is missing Pakistan and recalling how full her bag would be if she were there.

Once home, Mama is busy in the kitchen getting ready for guests to come by. Sarah notices that they will be coming at a certain time, not in and out all day long like before.  When the guests, Muslim and non Muslim, start to arrive they each bring a gift, baklava, flowers, candies, a little plant, and even a set of 40 markers just for Sarah, that she can store in her Eidi bag.

I love that even though it could very easily come across as whiney, or with money being discussed, greedy, it doesn’t.  The book is very tender, and you feel the emotions of Sarah in a new place adjusting to what her expectations are to the reality, and adapting. Being kind of dismissed at Eid also was very reflective as children everywhere get a bit jostle with all the hugging and greetings flying around above their heads. I also love that the neighbors come, including a friend named Jessica, modeling for non Muslims what they too can expect if invited to an Eid party. Someone brings baklava, not a traditional Pakistani dish, also showing the diversity within Islam, subtly adding an additional beautiful layer to the story.

The book concludes with an Author’s note and a glossary.  A great book that will work for both Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha.

Jan25

Join Us for Ramadan by Sana A. Faqir illustrated by Amna Asif

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Join Us for Ramadan by Sana A. Faqir illustrated by Amna Asif

This 18 page chunky board book is about 7.5 x 7.5 inches and a little over an inch thick.  Each spread features interactive touch, feel, lift, slide, and rotate features that keep little toddler hands engaged, while the text shares Ramadan basics. Interestingly enough though, the back says it is not for 0-3 year olds, presumably because parts could tear and be choking hazards, but making it unusable for the demographic(?).

It starts with a slider that reveals the Ramadan moon and encourages readers to find the moon in the sky. The next spread has you lifting a cover to see what Mummy has made for suhoor.  The prayer mat is then pulled out, The Qur’an opened, Sadaqah collected, dates and chocolate rotated, masjid doors opened, and once again the moon slides into view to know it is time for Eid.  

The illustrations are cute, the manipulatives are clever and not repetitive, but the flaps on any of the lift the flap reveals are incredibly thin, and the outer strip that holds the entire book is similarly skimpy and I don’t know how long it will hold up with regular use considering the thickness of the actual pages.  

Jan24

Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook by Razeena Omar Gutta recipes by Faaiza Osman illustrated by Atieh Sohrabi

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Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook by Razeena Omar Gutta recipes by Faaiza Osman illustrated by Atieh Sohrabi

 

I would not know where to shelve this 40 page in a library, it has beautiful pictures, it is informative, resourceful, useful, and interesting- I’ve only delayed sharing it because I really have had to think, how best to use this book to its maximum potential, to make it truly effective. It is formatted externally as a picture book, but it reads much like an chapter book anthology with the stories connected by the road the diverse folks live on, Rahma Road, all coming together for a communal iftar, with some fasting and some not.  The spreads feature vignettes on the left of what each house is making, including tidbits of culture, facts about Ramadan, insights about method or ingredients, with the facing page being the recipe.  The book is incredibly meticulous and intentional in appealing to Muslims and non Muslims alike, as well as a variety of ages.  It works as a book for Muslims to see themselves in, non Muslims to get a peek at iftaar excitement through, messages about community and diversity celebrated, foodies to see new recipes that they can try, cultures to explore through food and native words, a story framing to feel connection, I really could go on and on with the layers and inclusions this book provides, alhumdulillah.  I think the best way to use and share the book is going to be for me to read it with my 5 and 9 year old children a week or so before Ramadan.  Where I can read the story portion, getting us excited for Ramadan, slipping in some reminders, appreciating Islam’s global presence, and then talking about the recipes so that they can pick dishes to try in Ramadan and add needed ingredients to the shopping list (I wish I made the effort to be this organized all year long).  I then will plan to leave the book out and have my teens flip through to find any recipes that they think sound good and will commit to making.  The book would work all year long, but as a new release, I’m sharing my plan with hopes that it can help your family as well. 

The book contains 25 globally inspired recipes, featuring 11 with accompanying stories.  I absolutely love that at the bottom of the recipes are page numbers for additional items that would pair nicely, or be condiments or beverages or desserts for the dish.  This allows easy personalization, fusion meals, and more importantly a way for different age groups to be able to help each other in the preparation.  Maybe koshari is a bit advanced for your kid, but the mint lemonade paired with it might be something they can tackle a bit more independently. 

The framing of everyone on the road coming together book ends with the neighbors sharing a meal at the end,  I love the backmatter explaining Ramdan, about the recipes, even about Rahma Road.  The message to the reader and the naming of consultants really is a credit to the time and effort put into this book.

A few of the dishes and countries featured are: Atayef from Palestine, African American Sweet Potato Pie, Nigerian Puff Puff, Japanese Temaki Sushi, Morrocan Harira, Uyghur Lamp Stir-Fry, Guatemalan Dobiadas, Turkish Chicken Gozleme, Malaysian Teh Tarik, Australian Mini Strawberry Pavlovas, South African Bunny Chow, Mexican Elotes  .I can’t wait to report back if my plan was successful, if the dishes prepared were a hit, and ideas for further maximizing the use of the contents it contains.

Jan20

Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi

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Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi

At 224 pages, this middle grade graphic novel has a whole lot of heart. Seventh grade is not easy for anyone, and Hassan is balancing school, grades, soccer, fasting, and taraweeh every night, while dealing with friends, video games, cousins, and falling asleep in class. I love that this OWN voice book really centers Islam. It doesn’t shy away from showing the stresses that the character and presumably the readers of immigrant kids in public schools might encounter, right alongside stresses with Muslim cousins and friends at the masjid trying to pressure you to do something you don’t want to do.  And as in any coming of age story, young Hassan does not want any special treatment or parents to get involved. SPOILER: Hassan does hide his faith and that he is fasting for Ramadan at school, he also does make mistakes, notably among them is when he breaks his fast in what he is told is a loophole of sorts, but by the end he grows and trusts and realizes he doesn’t have to do it all, all the time, and that he isn’t alone. The book is not heavy, but it has layers that serve as relatable mirrors and windows for kids who are going to thoroughly enjoy this richly illustrated book.

SYNOPSIS:

The story starts with seventh grader, Hassan dreaming about food, drooling on his arm, and then being woken up by his teacher, again.  It is Ramadan and Hassan is fasting, going to taraweeh at night, trying to keep up with school and soccer, and on top of it all, he doesn’t want anyone to know.  He also doesn’t have the latest version of the popular video game that all his friends have, and he has to explain to his childhood friend Rosie why it is no longer appropriate for them to hang out together.  Nights and weekends with family and at the masjid should be a reprieve, but somehow even there he is the odd one out, opting to pray instead of play, and being unsure if closing your eyes while sneaking food really prevents Allah swt from seeing you eating like his cousins claim.  Threaded through it all are soccer practices, games, and falling grades that are going to get him tossed off the team, making this a Ramadan to remember.

WHY I LOVE IT:

Wahoo, some Yemeni representation, I loved the flashback/dream longing for Yemen.  I like that Hassan isn’t expecting adults or others to speak for him, and his heart is really in the right place.  I did feel a bit of a disconnect though when his friends knew he fasted the previous year, why he wouldn’t just explain it was time again for him to do so. Increasingly even the most isolated western cities are aware of Ramadan, so I didn’t feel that hesitation for Hassan to own it, even when a friend explicitly asks.  SPOILER, On a similar thread, his soccer coach is Muslim and their isn’t a huge sigh of relief and immediate kinship when the information is revealed.  If Hassan really feels he is shouldering it alone, why wouldn’t this empower him to step into himself so to speak.  I also didn’t understand why the end of the season pizza party wouldn’t have just been at iftar time. The book really had a chance to model how others can support their Muslim friends, and moving a food based celebration a few hours is an easy accommodation, but the Muslim coach didn’t even do it, so why would non Muslims.  

When Hassan does sneak food during his fast, he gets away with it, but it doesn’t sit right with him and I think it is powerfully done, him coming clean also is not punished as it really is something between Hassan and Allah swt and I love how it is left to that.  Regardless of if you feel it is required of a 7th grade boy or not, the ownership of faith I feel is more important than the getting in trouble by your parents in this case.

FLAGS:

Lying, failing grades, sneaks food during fasting, boy girl friendship, hints at internalized Islamophobia.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I wouldn’t do this as a book club, but would absolutely have it on shelves for kids to easily access, and I would absolutely discuss with them, what their takeaways were.

Dec31

Our Neighborhood: Excited for Eid by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

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Our Neighborhood: Excited for Eid by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

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Like the first book in the Celebrating Islam from the Our Neighborhood series, Friday Fun, this 26 page 7 x 7 board book is delightfully done in capturing the joy, sentiments, and traditions of the day. The mix of specifics and generalized parts of an Eid day experience offer both a window and mirror for toddler to early preschool kids. My concerns is that while maybe families will sense that henna/mendhi is cultural fun, and balloons and ice cream are not a religious requirement of the holiday, the two page spread dedicated to gathering at graves is a lot of space given to a cultural practice, not an Islamic one. I’m not a scholar and the book with its minimal words does not indicate if these families are visiting all graves, if they visit on days other than Eid, if they are grieving recent deaths and acknowledging that holidays can be hard. It shows multiple families at multiple graves some with flowers, some bare, some placing flowers, under the words, “gather together” and “love forever.” It is uncomfortable to me because of the space it takes up and the implication that it is a major part, or perhaps that it is a requirement of the religious holiday, when it is not.

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Similarly, the absence of going to the masjid or even praying is also glaringly missing. The family goes past the “lit up mosque” to get to the “fun kiosk” later at night for fun and games, but again no Eid prayers, five daily prayers, or really any worship is shown to take place on Eid other than in the illustrations reading Quran and making dua at graves. Hijab is shown on numerous women and mentioned in the text. For a book about a religious holiday, positioned to celebrate Islam, I would have hoped for some clear religious acts to be shown and articulated as being joyous parts shared by a global faith.

I enjoyed the little baby’s desire for ice cream that stretches through the story. It will add a layer of joy to even the youngest audience members. The gathering to eat and share and have fun is beautifully illustrated under the simple rhyming text, but Eid is a religious holiday, and that point seemed unfortunately absent.

Dec15

Hidden Fires by Sairish Hussain

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Hidden Fires by Sairish Hussain

I will not be getting over this book any time soon. It broke my heart, and all my other critical organs, in the most delightfully well-done way possible, and undoubtedly I am better for it. I don’t read a lot of adult fiction these days, and with some diabetic retinopathy concerns, I couldn’t read the 384 page adult book about generational trauma, partition, the Grenfell Tower fire, family dynamics, bullying, self-harm, and resilience, but was pulled in to the audio book version instead. The Desi-British voices of Yusuf, Rubi, and Hassan were refreshing to my American ears.  The multi-perspective book told in parts richly develops the characters, their relationships, and their current, past, and future struggles.  The author is Muslim, as are the characters, and while they all practice in their own way, it is undoubtedly who they are, and their Islamic identity is not questioned, feared, blamed, or apologized for.

SYNOPSIS:
The book weaves three distinct voices. Yusuf, is an 80 year old an immigrant who lived through partition, raised his family in the UK, has lost his wife a year prior, and is struggling with haunting memories of the past, failing health, regular loss of friends, and loneliness.  Hassan, Yusuf’s youngest son is a workaholic who is married to a non Muslim, non Desi who is suffering from fibromyalgia and who’s mother unexpectedly passes away in Spain.  Rubi, is Hassan’s 16 year old girl who is overweight, bullied, lonely and about to take her GCSE exams when she is dumped on her grandfather Yusuf’s door while her parents head to Spain.  The book opens in Ramadan the night of the Grenfell Tower fire and the horrific event affects them all, stirs memories, and shapes futures.  From there the layers of each character slowly unravel as they cope with the swiftly changing present as they desperately work to break free from the past.  As dementia plagues Yusuf, Rubi finds purpose in being needed, and Hassan is forced to re-prioritize his life before it is too late.

WHY I LIKE IT:
The book takes a slow approach to building up the characters and their back stories. It is almost feels like world building as a book would if it were a fantasy, it doesn’t info dump, but at some point the hooks are so deeply embedded that you really cannot leave the characters and their world and you have to finish the book, just to ensure they are ok.  Because I listened to the book, I feel like there might have been some Islamic content that was not completely ok, but again I was having vision issues and couldn’t note where to go back and check.  I think it is fine, and because it is an adult read, I think the audience can discern accuracy, but please know, I’m not 100% green lighting the Islamic rep.  It is undoubtedly well done and fasting and praying are a part of the characters, but their relationship to their faith and their understanding of it, is presented as theirs, it doesn’t get preachy or make broad statements about Muslims everywhere or Islamic doctrine.  

FLAGS:
There is body shaming, self-harm, trauma, death, torture, killing, lying, abuse, fear, guilt, dementia, bullying, assault, physical violence, drug use (mentioned), attempted suicide (mentioned), music, theft, make-up, close male and female relationships, Muslim marrying a non-Muslim, hallucinations.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I think mature high school seniors or possibly even juniors could benefit from this book with discussions.  I think Rubi’s voice tied to her father and grandfather, will really open up youngsters perspectives, and provide a great vehicle to hear their thoughts, fears, worries, concerns about body image, self harm, aging grandparents, accessibility to parents, etc..

Nov11

The Gift of Eid by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrayed by Aaliya Jaleel

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The Gift of Eid by Shifa Saltagi Safadi illustrayed by Aaliya Jaleel

With heartfelt words and large two-page spread illustrations, this beautiful book shares a mother and daughter finding the perfect Eid gift for one another while bringing the reader into the Souq Al-Hamidiyeh, before sending them off to Masjid Al-Umawi for a warm hug.  A retelling of the classic, A Gift of the Magi, the story poignantly presents threads of love, gifts, loss, and Eid to fill the reader with joy, peace, and gratitude.  I’m admittedly very bias, as a close friend of the author, but this beautiful book doesn’t need lip service or marketing, it will appeal to all readers in all settings, and be cherished and asked for, over and over again, all throughout the year. Alhumdulillah.

The book starts with Yasmine and her mama entering the souq through the archway, and Yasmine remembering her father and her imagining the circles in the ceiling to be twinkling stars.  He is no longer with them, the magic is gone and money is tight now, but with liras jingling in her pocket, Yasmine is determined to find an Eid gift for her mother that will make her smile.

Yasmine looks around the shops as her mother counts out liras to buy za’atar, and tries to find something cheaper than sfeeha at the bakery.  She finally knows what to get her mother, but it is more lira than she has.  With determination and selflessness she makes a decision to get her mama the perfect gift.

The process separates the two, and when they reunite at the masjid for maghrib salat, it isn’t the gifts themselves, but rather what they mean, that make the laughter, tears, and love overflow.

I love the emotional depth the book conveys so deftly, never explaining or pulling the reader out of the story, thus allowing the connection to linger long after the book is closed, a rare treat in a picture book.

May25

Busy Eid illustrated by Campbell Books illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

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Busy Eid illustrated by Campbell Books illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

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I put this book on hold at the library during Ramadan, but there was a waiting list and I just got it.  No worries though, the 8 page board book with moveable parts can be fun for babies and toddlers all year long, and if you skip over the welcoming of the new moon on the first page, the rest of the book will work for Eid al Adha just the same.  The book doesn’t have an author, it seems to be written by committee by Campbell Books or Macmillan which is fine, since their are only eight rhyming lines. The speaking bubbles that ask the reader to do something however, are about off.  For example asking what color the domes on the mosque are, to which my overthinking brain can’t discern, are they gold…en? tan…ish? on the first page it wants you to move the moon, then asks you to point to the stars and moon, but then on a later spread wants you to guess what’s in the present before you slide the scene to reveal it, with only four spreads, at the very least there should be consistency.  As for the illustrations though, they are lovely and inclusive.  There are smiling warm faces of all colors, shapes, sizes, cats a plenty, a blind gentleman, old young, different styles of hijabis, some non hijabis too.

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The book starts as they all seem to, with the sighting of the new moon, there is cheering, wearing one’s best clothes, and going to pray, gift giving, and food, and pullouts, pushups, and slides on each spread to engage little hands.

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The book is sweet, I’m glad we have representation in toddler board books for Eid joy.  There is nothing religious, or educational.  A Muslim family will perhaps see some of their Eid activities mirrored in the pages, but there is no real grounding or insight for those unfamiliar with Eid to understand why Eid is special, what it is celebrating, or who celebrates the holiday.

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I got my book at the library, but it is available here on Amazon or here at Crescent Moon where my initials ISL at checkout will save you 10%.

Mar30

Baby Touch: Happy Eid! by Lemon Ribbon Studio

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Baby Touch: Happy Eid! by Lemon Ribbon Studio

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This 12 word, 10 page, touch and feel board book is nothing special, yet for some reason it does make me smile.  It could be better, and absolutely, “star” has nothing to do with Eid, but that it is in our public library, that it is full of joy for our littlest humans, and that it has mosque and prayer rug, and charity, and community, and family, and feast, is really quite sweet. It would work for either Eid and the bright uniform pictures are clear and simple to engage babies and toddlers alike.

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Each page spread has a singular image and a word below it.  The pictures on the right have some sort of touch and feel element, from a bumpy minaret, to raised smooth coins in the charity jar.  I wish the rice on the feast plate would have been raised and that a plush prayer rug would have been offered, but until publishers seek out beta readers, this is probably as good as it is going to get.

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Some of the words might be too advanced, but I think the singularity allows for discussion if the child wants, if not, it is still nice to see elements of Eid illustrated for a baby to connect to in a joyous presentation.  The 7x 7 book is not overly padded, but the corners are rounded and easy for little hands to carry.

I found mine at my library, but it is also available here on Amazon.

Mar19

An Eid Story: Husna and the Eid Party by Fawzia Gilani-Williams illustrated by Kulthum Burgess

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An Eid Story: Husna and the Eid Party by Fawzia Gilani-Williams illustrated by Kulthum Burgess

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This 27 page book is old, published in 2007, and one that I kept an eye out for on occasion since reviewing a similar early chapter book by the same author, The Lost Ring, that I found in a public library in 2016.  Somehow it found its way to me in 2024, and I’m reviewing it because it has been a while since I’ve indulged in older books that shaped the foundation of Muslim literary representation so many years ago.  It is the epitome of Islamic fiction and what Islamic fiction looked like when I started teaching.  It has a Muslim protagonist, with a universal stress, framed in Islamic acts, perspectives, information, and morals.  It is unapologetic, it is at time preachy, and while the writing isn’t remarkable, an engaging story is laid out with numerous lessons along the way.  You may not want to rush out and purchase this book, but if you have it on your shelf, it would be worth pulling out, dusting off, and sharing with a child. At times the details feel a little dated, but there is a timelessness to stresses with friends, being left out, assuming the worst, and wanting to be included.  This book will offer a chance to be seen in the text and illustrations as Husna waits to be invited to her friend’s Eid party.  The book does not specify if it is Eid al-Fitr of Eid al-Adha, but it really isn’t impactful on the story, as it simply sets the time, mood, and draws all the threads together.

SYNOPSIS:
It is the week after Eid and students are back at their Islamic school, Husna has lots of friends, but Maryam is her favorite.  While on the playground, someone asks Maryam where the party is going to be, and she responds, “probably at the house.”  Excited Husna waits for her invitation, that unfortunately never comes.

WHY I LIKE IT:
Even though the book has a happy ending and is based on a misunderstanding, the feelings are very real.  I remember feeling left out, I’ve seen my own kids and students feel it, and that the book is a snapshot of that feeling from a Muslim perspective, really makes it hit home.  Husna makes dua in sujud at Maghrib and Fajr that she will be invited, conversations begin with As-Salamu ‘Alaikum and end with Barak Allahfi-ki, homework is learning Hadith and memorizing ayats, jumah is prayed, and every page is filled with Islam.

FLAGS:

None

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
The book is an early reader, a text heavy one at that, but none-the-less meant for ages seven and up. I can see it being read today in small groups in an Islamic school or if you have a young one who is perhaps feeling something similar.  You might have to explain invitations in the mail, or calling on a house phone, but it still has relevance.