Tag Archives: laylatul qadr

Mar10

Trouble at Taraweeh by Rosalind Noor illustrated by Rania Hasan

Posted on March 10, 2024 by islamicschoollibrarian

I love funny books that are Islamically accurate, Muslim filled, and informative as well. Alhumdulliah for this outrageous Ramadan tale, that gets kids laughing and parents horrified. A frog on the loose at Taraweeh on the 21st night, and a little girl who is a self proclaimed “trouble magnet,” focuses on Laylatul Qadr, good intentions, and Allah swt hearing our prayers. It is text heavy, so for a read aloud, think slightly older children, seven or up, would be the ideal audience, but in a bedtime story setting the illustrations will keep younger ones engaged.

The book starts with Umama looking forward to Laylatul Qadr. She knows duas are answered that night when the angels come down and fill the earth, and she has a special dua to make, she really wants a little sister. It is the first odd night of the last ten days and she has had an eventful Ramdan so far. She accidently flooded the wudu area, she tripped on her prayer skirt and knocked people over, she even tried to organize the shoes, but then no one could find their shoes.

Tonight she is determined will be trouble free, which naturally means, it won’t be. Fluffy, her frog, gets loose. She apologizes to the woman as she scoops him off her head, but then…he gets away from Umama, and the chase is on.

With plugs getting yanked, breakers being flipped, and little Umama asking Allah swt to help her make it right. The imam, her dad, keeps his cool and somehow you find yourself, parents included, feeling bad for Umama and hoping she has a smooth remaining Ramadan.

The expressive illustrations are bright and complementary to the story. Kids enjoy looking at them and they really do help hold the kid’s attention as the story unfolds. So many of my Ramadan staples come from Ruqaya’s bookshelf, and this is a great addition to the shelf.

The book is available here at Crescent Moon Store

Mar1

Ramadan Nights by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Halime Nur Sevim

Posted on March 1, 2023 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Ramadan Nights by Jenny Molendyk Divleli illustrated by Halime Nur Sevim

This rhyming softcover picture book sets the tone of the month with its large heartfelt images on cardstock thick pages. The book mentions tarawih, reading Quran, suhoor, iftar, compassion, Laylatul Qadr, eid, but does so in a way that reflects what Muslim kids know and love about the month. It is not overly descriptive, nor does it define the terms. It shows Muslim kids in Ramadan living their lives and draws out the emotional joy felt in acts of ibadah, not in the gifts and parties alone. The rhyme works and isn’t terribly forced and the 8.5 by 11 size and the introductory framing of major Ramadan activities makes the book a good addition for toddlers and up. I plan to use this for a masjid story time for Muslim kids ages 4-9, but it can be used in non Muslim settings easily as well.

The book starts out with decorating the home for Ramadan, as the city decorates outside too. Ramadan has arrived, the moon has been seen with binoculars, and Tarawih at the mosque is where everyone is praying, and kids are playing. Mornings start with the Ramadan drummer waking people up for suhoor, but mom is already up cooking. The first few days of fasting are hard waiting for iftar, implying it gets easier.

The kids and their parents make duas and thank Allah for their blessings as well as share their blessings with neighbors as they learn compassion. The kids practice reading Qur’an every day with Grandma and before you know it, it is the last ten nights and Laylatul Qadr and then eid, alhumdulillah. The 32 page book ends with prayers of gratitude and hope that Ramadan will be seen again.

The book really is well done, there is no plot or story, but it introduces the month to little ones, reminds older ones what to expect and does so with accuracy and mirroring. The book will lend itself to spark discussions about what a readers’ family can look forward to in the month, how one should behave in a masjid, perhaps some Quran goals and some appreciation for parents. The poor mom helps decorate, stays up early to cook suhoor, cooks yummy iftar, and lays out Eid clothes all while wearing hijab. InshaAllah a point to mention when reading how amazing moms (and dads) are in making Ramadan memories while fasting themselves.

I purchased mine from https://crescentmoonstore.com/ if you use my initials at checkout ISL (Islamic School Librarian) you can save 10% or click this link directly to go to the book.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Apr27

Khadijah and Cat: Ramadan is Here by Shamsa Ahmed illustrated by Afsaneh Bagherloo

Posted on April 27, 2020 by islamicschoollibrarian

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Khadijah and Cat: Ramadan is Here by Shamsa Ahmed illustrated by Afsaneh Bagherloo

New this year in the Ramadan category is this gorgeous 40 page hardback book that mixes information about the blessed month with personable characters very well. It stays on track without getting silly, even with a talking cat and a reoccurring super hero dinosaur, but I don’t understand the attempted rhyme scheme. I’ve read the book over a dozen times trying to map it, and sometimes it is so natural that it makes reading it aloud smooth and lyrical, and sadly a few times it seems so forced that it makes the sentence nonsensical or awkward. There is so much information, so beautifully paced and illustrated for children 4 and up, that I’m willing to overlook the few sentences that irked me to recommend this book for you and your children to enjoy this Ramadan. Without a glossary though, it is probably best for Muslim children, or those with someone who can explain words such as: suhoor, iftar, adhan, SubhanAllah, dua, Allah, etc..

Khadijah and Cat are looking for the moon to know if it is the start of Ramadan, and once they find it, they rush to spread the news. Immediately everyone starts decorating and celebrating and sharing delicious food.

They then head home to sleep so they can wake up early for suhoor. They make a point to eat something healthy to sustain them for the whole day, then they pray and go back to sleep.

Cat wakes up ready to eat and is surprised that they have to wait until sunset before they can eat or drink anything. Khadijah explains that Ramadan is a holy month and one of the five pillars of Islam. The illustrations show the other pillars, but the explanation of Ramadan is a bit advanced with words such as regression, unpriviledged, compassion, and purifying.

The next page continues listing off what Khadijah and Cat are learning about Ramadan, as they spend time praying and reading the Holy Quran. At the sound of the fourth Adhan they break their fast. The names of the salat or that they pray five times a day is not mentioned, but lends itself to a great teaching point.

They then pray and eat and take the neighbors some gifts. Cat is convinced that the day was good and is ready for the next 30. The last ten nights are identified as important and Laylat al Qadr is mentioned as being special, but it does not tell why they are unique.

Khadijah and Cat then invite you to fast and see why Ramadan is so special. The end of the book has some questions, a Ramadan count down and a coloring page. I was surprised that there was not a glossary as the Arabic words in the text are enlarged, and often not defined.

I love the font and binding and horizontal 10 x 11.5 layout. The illustrations are gorgeous and the details in the decor and Khadijah wearing hijab while out, but not at home are very well executed. I’m not sure why the Meer-Rex is in the book, he is never identified or given attention, maybe in future books he will have more of a role, inshaAllah.

I ordered mine from Crescent Moon Store and received it within days of placing the order, thank you!