One of the most common questions we get asked:

 “My child’s teacher says I can come read a book about Ramadan to the class, what should I read?”

Often they also are hoping for an accompanying craft or activity, and nearly ALWAYS the book has to be mainstream published or vetted to insure that it is not “preachy” or “indoctrinating.”  

With all that in mind, we offer our current favorites for 

Ramadan Read Alouds to Non Muslim Majority Classes

updated 3/14/2023

PRESCHOOL 

Under the Ramadan Moon by Sylvia Whitman illustrated by Sue Williams

Owl & Cat Ramadan Is. . . by Emma Apple

‘Tis The Night Before Eid by Yasmin Rashidi illustrated by Mariam Aldacher (Just keep in mind it is a reimagining of a Christmas story, if the framing in the class is that Ramadan and Eid are Muslim versions of Christmas, you probably don’t want to further muddle the holidays)

KINDERGARTEN

It’s Ramadan Curious George by Hena Khan illustrated by Mary O’Keefe Young

Under the Ramadan Moon by Sylvia Whitman illustrated by Sue Williams

Ilyas and Duck: Ramadan Joy by Omar S. Khawaja illustrated by Leo Antolini

‘Tis The Night Before Eid by Yasmin Rashidi illustrated by Mariam Aldacher (Just keep in mind it is a reimagining of a Christmas story, if the framing in the class is that Ramadan and Eid are Muslim Christmas, you probably don’t want to further muddle the holidays)

A Little Golden Book: Ramadan: A Holy Month by Malik Amin illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

1st GRADE

One Meal More: A Multicultural Ramadan Story by Emma Apple

The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard illustrated by Laura K. Horton

Ilyas and Duck: Ramadan Joy by Omar S. Khawaja illustrated by Leo Antolini

It’s Ramadan Curious George by Hena Khan illustrated by Mary O’Keefe Young

Who Will Help Me Make Iftar by Asmaa Hussein illustrated by Saliha Caliskan

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Lisa Bullard Ilustrated by Holli Conger

A Little Golden Book: Ramadan: A Holy Month by Malik Amin illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

There was an Old Auntie who Swallowed a Samosa by Asmaa Hussein illustrated by Milton Bazerque

Ramadan Kareem by M.O. Yuksel illustrated by Hatem Aly

2nd GRADE

Rami the Ramadan Cat by Robyn Thomas illustrated by Abira Das

The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard illustrated by Laura K. Horton

Ramadan Moon by Na’ima B. Robert Illustrated by Shirin Adl 

Zahra’s Blessing by Shirin Shamsi illustrated by Manal Mirza

Who Will Help Me Make Iftar by Asmaa Hussein illustrated by Saliha Caliskan

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Lisa Bullard Ilustrated by Holli Conger

There was an Old Auntie who Swallowed a Samosa by Asmaa Hussein illustrated by Milton Bazerque

The Month that Makes the Year: A Joyful Celebration of the Spiritual Practices of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri

Celebrations and Festivals: Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Sara Khan illustrated by Nadiyah Suyatna

Ramadan Kareem by M.O. Yuksel illustrated by Hatem Aly

3rd GRADE

Hannah and the Ramadan Gift by Qasim Rashid illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi illustrated by Lea Lyon

Zahra’s Blessing by Shirin Shamsi illustrated by Manal Mirza 

The Little Green Drummer by Taghreed Najjar retuld by Lucy Coats illustrated by Hassan Manasrah

Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi

The Month that Makes the Year: A Joyful Celebration of the Spiritual Practices of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri

Celebrations and Festivals: Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Sara Khan illustrated by Nadiyah Suyatna

Ramadan Kareem by M.O. Yuksel illustrated by Hatem Aly

A Ramadan to Remember by Marzieh A. Ali illustrated by Najwa Awatiff

Made from the Same Dough by Laura El Alam illustrated by Passant Ablal

4th GRADE AND UP (Below reading level, but still a benefit that can be read or shared in small groups)

Sadiq and the Ramadan Gift by Siman Nuurali illustrated by Anjan Sarkar

Ramadan Around The World by Ndaa Hassan illustrated by Azra Momin

A Party in Ramadan By Asma Mobin-Uddin Illustrated by Laura Jacobsen

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

EID BOOKS

EidTale: An Eid al-Fitr Adventure by Aaliya Jaleel

Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi illustrated by Fahmida Azim

Ilyas & Duck and the Fantastic Festival of Eid-al-Fitr by Omar S. Khawaja illustrated by Leo Antolini

Hassan and Aneesa Celebrate Eid by Yasmeen Rahim illustrated by Omar Burgess

Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale Retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams

Eid Empanadas by Wendy Diaz illustrated by Uthman Guadalupe (Early Chapter Book)

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed  (Short Stories)

Grade breakdowns are just suggestions. You will want to evaluate the size of the class, familiarity with Ramadan or Islam, and then plan accordingly.  To go down a grade level or two, is ok.  A story time is successful if the children understand and enjoy and are engaged in the book. 

Many of the books lend themselves easy to basic crafts of lantern making, date tasting, or activities! Happy Reading!