The House Without Lights: A Glowing Celebration of Joy, Warmth, and Home
by Reem Faruqi; Illustrated by Nadia Alam
Henry Holt and Co./Macmillan
A heartwarming family-focused picture book from the perspective of a house who wants to be decorated for the winter holidays . . . and is delighted to be lit up for Eid instead.
After seeing all of its neighbors’ twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come.
But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for.
This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for–Eid.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Talkhani, Zeba. The Most Exciting Eid. Illus. by Abeeha Tariq Feb. 2024. 24p. Scholastic, $7.99. ISBN 9781338877816. Grades PreK – 2
In this Eid story, Safa and her family, cued as having Pakistani heritage, see the new moon marking the end of Ramadan. Knowing that it is now Eid ul-Fitr, Safa looks forward to all the things her family will do. There is decoration of their home, henna decoration for hands, and preparation for the next day which will bring a family party with new outfits, delicious food, and presents. In her prayers Safa asks Allah for a new bicycle, and is delighted when she gets it, but when her cousin Alissa asks if she can have a turn on the bicycle, Safa does not want to share.
Though it is during the party, Safa’s mother calls her into the kitchen telling her that this year she is now old enough to help to bring food to their neighbors and visit with them. While on their visits, Safa spends time thinking about how they make their neighbors happy and how sharing makes her feel connected to others. Finally, Safa and her mother stop at her grandparents’ house. She is happy to see them, but there is no explanation as to why her grandparents are not at the family party. Returning home, Alissa tells Safa that she had been looking for her, and later pages show them riding bicycles. Readers may wonder why the narrative wanders in its sequence, but the celebration of Eid and discussions of sharing and the spirit of giving may help families introduce their children to Eid, Islamic phrases, concepts, and practices while also observing interwoven aspects of Pakistani Muslim culture.
10 Sunnah of Eid
by Firhana Imam
Ali Gator
Eid is one of the happiest days of the year for a Muslim child. It’s a day of celebration and joy! Let’s learn 10 Sunnah of Eid – 10 ways the Prophet (PBUH) celebrated EId – so that we can get the most reward from this blessed day, yay!
Four Eids and a Funeral
by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar
Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan
Ex-best friends, Tiwa and Said, must work together to save their Islamic Center from demolition, in this romantic story of rekindling and rebuilding by award-winning authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar!
These days, Said Hossain spends most of his time away at boarding school. But when his favorite hometown librarian Ms. Barnes dies, he must return home to New Crosshaven for her funeral and for the summer. Too bad being home makes it a lot harder to avoid facing his ex-best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, or facing the daunting task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that he would rather be an artist than a doctor.
Tiwa doesn’t understand what made Said start ignoring her, but it’s probably that fancy boarding school of his. Though he’s unexpectedly staying through the summer, she’s determined to take a page from him and pretend he doesn’t exist. Besides, she has more than enough going on, between grieving her broken family and helping her mother throw the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center—a place that means so much to Tiwa.
But when the Islamic Center accidentally catches fire, it turns out the mayor plans to demolish the center entirely. Things are still tense between the ex-friends but Tiwa needs Said’s help if there’s any hope of changing the mayor’s mind, and Said needs a project to submit to art school (unbeknownst to anyone). Will all their efforts be enough to save the Islamic Center, save Eid, and maybe save their relationship?
Cover image and summary via Macmillan
Treasury of Eid Tales
by Fawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Sarah Nesti Willard
Baker & Taylor/Paw Prints
Faith, kindness and charity abound in this heartwarming collection of fourteen Eid tales.
Sweet Nena, generous Michael, Adam, Baba Deen and the Drummer of Dushang are just some of the loveable characters that embrace the traditions and customs of the Muslim holiday of Eid. This is a book that will fill everyone’s heart with a festive spirit!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
The Night Before Eid : A Muslim Family Story
by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Hachette/Christy Ottaviano
Celebrate the end of Ramadan with this luminous Muslim family story about faith, history, and delicious foods.
On the night before Eid, it’s finally time to make special sweet treats: Teita’s famous ka’ak. Zain eagerly unpacks the ingredients from his grandmother’s bulky suitcase: ghee from Khalo Karim, dates from Amo Girgis, and honey from Tant Tayseer—precious flavors all the way from Egypt. Together with Mama and Teita, Zain follows his family’s recipe and brings to life Eid songs and prayers, pharaonic history, and the melodies and tastes of his Egyptian heritage.
This Muslim holiday story, featuring a delicious ka’ak recipe, is a satisfying addition to a joyful and expansive Eid.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Jabala and the Jinn by Asif Khan
Aurora Metro Books (UK)
We’re in Bradford. It’s been a few months since Jabala’s beloved Mum died. Dad is a brilliant father, but it’s an effort to get to school on time every day.
One morning, when she says goodbye to her house as usual, Jabala hears a voice replying to her in Arabic. But no one’s there. Could it be Mum? Has she imagined it?
With the help of a ‘Refugee Boy’ at school, a Shakespeare enthusiast called Munir, she summons… a Jinn. But this is no ordinary ‘Jinn’, as told in grandma’s stories and Jabala is in for a surprise.
As the day of Eid approaches, events take a drastic turn and Jabala is forced to make some difficult decisions. Will things come together in time for the big celebration?
Combining physical theatre, original music and vivid design, this new play by award-winning writer Asif Khan is a funny and endearing story for the whole family.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Nadia and Nadir: Eid Surprises by Marzieh A. Ali
Illustrated by Lala Stellune
Calico Kid / North Star Editions
Nadia and Nadir are a pair of young Muslim-American siblings living in Houston, Texas, with their mom and dad. Like all kids, they enjoy staying busy. Nadia and Nadir are quick to make learning fun in their day-to-day lives. And with grandparents coming to visit and trips to Pakistan in their schedules, the kids enjoy exploring their family’s culture and traditions.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Eid al-Fitr Mad Libs: World’s Greatest Word Game
by Saadia Faruqi
Madlibs / Penguin Random House
This year, celebrate Eid al-Fitr with your family, some sweet TYPE OF FOOD, and Mad Libs!
Eid Mubarak! Celebrate the holiday with Zakat-al-Fitr, sweet treats, and Eid al-Fitr Mad Libs! Filled with good cheer and humor, these 21 fill-in-the-blank stories will give the whole family a new way to enjoy the traditions of the holiday together!
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
This review was originally published in School Library Journal, March 1, 2021. Additional images have been added to this post.
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
by Qasim Rashid (text), illus. by Aaliya Jaleel.
Penguin Random House/Viking Books for Young Readers. Apr. 2021. 40p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780593114667
Gr 1-5- At eight years old, Hannah’s family says she is too young to fast from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan, but Dada Jaan has an idea of how Hannah can help. He says that Ramadan is a reminder to Muslims to help those in need and helping neighbors is worth the world. In her independent actions in school and at home, the girl finds that helping is more difficult than it seems. At the end of Ramadan, celebrating with her religious and ethnically diverse community, Hannah wonders what, if any, impact her actions have made and whether it is enough. Human rights activist, attorney, and former candidate for Virginia State Senate Rashid’s narrative shows the positive and local action children can take and the wisdom and kindness gained through learning from elders. 
Jaleel’s palette of saturated pinks, purples, yellows, and aqua conveys the passage of time through the month while tying in common Islamic geometric patterns and decor. Language and visual markers indicate Hannah and her family are South Asian and an author’s note describes Eid with family and community in Pakistan and in the United States. Though this narrative is accessible to all Muslims and non-Muslim readers, it particularly reflects Rashid’s Ahmadiyya Muslim values in service to humanity, peace, and love of mankind.
VERDICT A Ramadan narrative that inspires action and reflection for all readers. Purchase for all collections.
-Ariana Sani Hussain, The Blake Sch., Wayzata, MN