(2) 4-6 Seventh grader Mahnoor Raheem is less than thrilled when her Pakistani grandmother, Dadi, comes to live with them in Texas. Not only does Maha have to give up her bedroom, but her father also expects her to "babysit" his mother while he and Maha's mom work long hours at the hospital. Although her home life is disrupted, Maha is excited about her media studies elective; she sees the class as a steppingstone to pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist. A class project -- making "a documentary on a topic that's newsworthy" -- gives Maha the opportunity to learn more about Dadi's life and an appreciation for what history can teach us about the present. By spending time with her grandmother prepping meals, participating in her first Ramadan fast, and playing board games, she learns a great deal about the 1947 Partition of British India into India and Pakistan. Faruqi introduces readers to the Partition, the largest mass migration in history, through relatable characters experiencing recognizable middle-school dynamics. The conversational style of the historical retelling offsets some of the heavier issues of rampant violence, refugee resettlement, and trauma. Readers are rewarded with a deeply immersive and moving story as Maha experiences a shift in understanding of her hyphenated identities and connects her family's history to other immigrant experiences.

Reviewer: Sadaf Siddique | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Laura K. Horton. As Sophia's family prepares for Ramadan, she decides she wants to fast so her heart will feel "sparkly." This sincere yet wordy story, with colorful, culturally specific illustrations, pays homage to a Muslim family's gentle support of a child's first fast. The author's note emphasizes the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of fasting.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) 4-6 Orca Origins series. This introduction to Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and prayer, balances information with personal stories and uses a variety of visual storytelling techniques (sidebars, pull-out quotes, recipes, etc.). Mindfulness of cultural nuances ("there really is no such thing as a single 'Muslim world'"); a chatty, down-to-earth narrative voice; and an attractive, photo-heavy design make the volume both informative and engaging. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. Brooklyn neighbors Moses (Moe) Feldman and Mohammad (Mo) Hassan meet while grocery shopping. One is Jewish and the other Muslim, but they look like twins and become great friends. Both text and illustrations mirror their similar experiences, emphasizing cultural and religious commonalities. Amini's multimedia collages combine photorealism, wild color combinations, and expressively stylized faces. Notes discuss Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan and include recipes for holiday treats.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lea Lyon. When Lailah, a recent immigrant from Abu Dhabi, fasts for Ramadan for the first time, she's embarrassed to tell people at her new Georgia school. An empathetic librarian helps Lailah overcome her fear, and she shares a Ramadan poem with her class. The autobiographical author's note could have provided more substantive information, but the story should start conversation. Loose watercolors show a very contemporary Muslim girl.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Holidays and Special Days series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Emma's story reflects her family's African American and Russian American heritage (no mention that Russian Orthodox Easter usually falls on a different date than other Christian sects). Rashad and his Muslim family observe Ramadan. Sarah prepares for her role in asking the "Four Questions." Bright, cheerful illustrations will draw readers to these simple introductions; text boxes provide more details than the young narrators do. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Holidays and Special Days titles: Emma's Easter, Rashad's Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and Sarah's Passover.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Proiti Roy. For Eid (the Muslim celebration following Ramadan), shoemaker Nabeel buys new clothing for his family. He also buys fine-but-too-long-pants for himself. The shopkeeper doesn't have time to shorten them; neither, at first, do his wife, daughter, or mother--so Nabeel takes matters into his own hands. The amusing tale (an Indian import) is illustrated with bold gouache and India-ink paintings. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Squabbling siblings Ali and Shirin come to an accord during the course of the month-long Muslim holiday. Though the story's overly instructive tone can be irritating, libraries wanting to widen their picture book holdings about Muslim holidays may welcome this title. The illustrations show a multi-generational American family's celebration of this important festival.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Looking Glass Library: Cultural Holidays series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Ramadan explains the rituals, customs, and meanings behind the traditional Muslim month of fasting, as well as giving some background on Islam. The tone of Christmas is slightly different, with explanations of Santa left nebulous, and a discussion of both religious and secular holiday customs. Cheerful illustrations of round-faced revelers support the limited texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking Glass Library: Cultural Holidays titles: Ramadan and Christmas.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce the customs and symbols of Ramadan or Christmas. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy text provides some information about the photo subject. Both books offer an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Christmas--Count and Celebrate! and Ramadan--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Jacobsen. Leena is invited to a birthday party during Ramadan. Her mother is unsure, but Leena insists she'll be able to refuse refreshments. There's no real conflict in the wordy but informative story. An appended author's note explains that young children don't have to fast but may choose to participate with their families. Pastel-pencil illustrations show a Muslim family in a contemporary suburb.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ned Gannon. Noor and her brothers join their parents and grandparents in candy making, prayer, charity work, and a traditional nighttime walk to celebrate Girgian, when the moon is full, to mark the middle of Ramadan. Though the text is overly explanatory, sensory details enhance the story. The glowing illustrations, accomplished in color and shading, can be stiff. Glos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. This picture book provides an accessible, informative introduction to Ramadan, focusing on one girl's experiences of family, community, and tradition. A well-planned story arc, following the phases of the moon, gives shape to the tale. Paschkis's trademark deep-hued gouache illustrations with soft, flowing lines and decorated borders illuminate the thoughtfully designed pages. An author's note gives more information about Ramadan. Glos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) K-3 Best Holiday Books series. This useful but unexciting revised and updated series presents the historical and spiritual origins of these religious holidays and the ways they are observed. The books particularly focus on how the holidays are celebrated in modern-day North America with festivals featuring traditional foods, music, and clothing. Many captioned photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review includes these Best Holiday Books titles: Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights and Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sue Williams. Filled with familial warmth and joy, this book describes, in lilting verse with a comforting refrain, Ramadan observances. Glowing, textured illustrations using gently rounded lines show a family engaged in holiday activities: spending time together, waiting for their day-long fast to end, preparing food, visiting relatives, attending services at a mosque. A worthy addition to any children's library.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Celebrate Holidays series. Captioned photographs, maps, drawings, and sidebars combine with accessible text to present a thorough discussion of the featured holiday. Each title explains the origin of the holiday then describes traditional observances and modern-day celebrations, including some personal family stories and simple activities. Diwali includes a craft. This series is a useful resource for library or classroom holiday-books collections. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Celebrate Holidays titles: Celebrate Ramadan, Celebrate Christmas, and Celebrate Diwali.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) PS A young Muslim boy describes the ways his family celebrates the holy month of Ramadan, explaining some of the rituals and symbols of the holiday. Straightforward, easy-to-read text and bright, friendly collage and mixed-media illustrations make this a solid, approachable resource for Muslim and non-Muslim children alike.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Holidays around the World series. These books use short, simple sentences and large, colorful, well-captioned photographs to explain each holiday's customs and traditions. Written with a global perspective in mind, the text's use of the "we" voice (rather than "they") makes the information seem more authentic and respectful. Recipes are provided; Diwali includes a game. Both books feature an essay written by a religion professor. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Holidays around the World titles: Celebrate Diwali and Celebrate Ramadan & Eid Al-Fitr.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 On My Own Holidays series. Illustrated by Jeni Reeves & Jeni Reeves. These books offer basic descriptions of the three religious holidays in a beginning reader format with stiff illustrations in subdued colors. Hanukkah gives a detailed account of the historical significance of the holiday, while Ramadan focuses on the events of each day from morning prayer to the evening celebration. Christmas covers customs in eight different countries. Hanukkah and Ramadan contain glossaries. [Review covers these On My Own Holidays titles: Ramadan, Hanukkah, and Christmas around the World.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Lawrence Migdale. The experience of fourth-grader Ibraheem is used to focus a picture of religious and cultural tradition as expressed in a major holiday. The author and photographer do an equable job of conveying Ramadan's rituals, obligations, and joys. They provide general information about Islamic practices in the United States and some history of the faith. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2002