10 Sunnah of Eid
by Firhana Imam
Ali Gator
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Tag: eid
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar
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 Paw Prints
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
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
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 & Nadir Eid Surprises
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
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
Review: Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
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
Review & Extended Activity: Amira’s Picture Day
This review was originally published in School Library Journal in March, 2021. Additional illustrations and an activity have been added to this post.
Amira’s Picture Day
K-Gr 2–Amira feels conflicted when she realizes that school picture day is the same day as Eid. Spotting the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan, Amira and her brother Ziyad know it means that there will be prayers, celebrations, and skipping school the following day. Amira’s mom decorates the girl’s hands with mehndi. Amira and Ziyad prepare goody bags for the kids at the masjid, while her mother irons Amira’s Eid outfit, a beautiful blue and gold mirrored shalwar kameez. 
Though Eid is full of the joy and community she loves, missing picture day puts a damper on the celebration, until Amira thinks of a possible solution. Deceptively simple, Faruqi’s narrative gently addresses the impact that the celebration of non-dominant cultures and holidays has on children and choices families make to uphold traditions. Moreover, Amira’s conflicted feelings and insistence on finding a solution create opportunities for dialogue about the importance of acknowledging spaces that matter to children, especially while families try to foster positive identity. Azim’s illustrations are fun and colorful, with tiny details reflecting the family’s personality, while the people attending Eid celebrations at Amira’s masjid are racially and culturally diverse, with varied skin tones, body types, and expressions of fashion and style.
Back matter features an author’s note and glossary of terms, referencing Urdu and Amira and her family’s Pakistani roots.
VERDICT A lovely addition to the collection of books about Eid that can be used all year long.
Extended Activity & Lesson
As stated in the review above Amira’s Picture Day is an opportunity to talk to elementary students about identity and how holidays reflect identity and values. It is also an opportunity to talk about equity in holiday recognition, school calendars, and what it means to matter in all the spaces we are.
Here are some suggested questions to ask students while reading this book:
- How do you think Amira feels about missing picture day? Have you ever had to choose between two things that are important to you?
- Do you think Amira’s parents understand how she feels at first? Is Eid or picture day more important to Amira’s parents?
- How do you know that Amira’s parents want the children to be involved in the community?
- What is Amira’s masjid like? Does everyone look similar in body shape, skin tone, or dress or are they different? What do you observe about Amira’s Muslim community?
- How do you think Amira feels when she is at school wearing her shalwar kameez? How do you think she might feel about her friends seeing her in her shalwar kameez instead of her pink dress?
Pair this book with these videos about recognizing holidays.
- Newscasts: Henrico County/ Eden Prairie
- Secret Life of Muslims: Muslim Holidays Get Recognized in New York City
Questions:
- For the people in the videos what does it means to have their holiday recognized by their schools?
- What would it mean to have no holidays recognized? If winter and spring breaks stayed the same, what would it mean for holidays like Christmas or Easter? Is not recognizing any holidays but still keeping the same breaks really being fair to everyone?
- Have you ever had to go to school on a holiday that was important to you? How do you think it would feel to have to go to school on a holidays that was really important to you or your family?
- How do you think it would feel to have to choose between a holidays that is important to you and a big test that would impact your next school year?
- How did Linda’s daughter feel about seeing her holidays on the school calendar? What does it mean to have schools recognize your holidays?
- How does it feel to have schools recognize your identity, culture, and history?
Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi
Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi
Illustrated by Fahmida Azim
Holiday House
Ramadan has come to an end, and Amira can’t wait to stay home from school to celebrate Eid. There’s just one hiccup: it’s also school picture day. How can Amira be in two places at once?
Just the thought of Eid makes Amira warm and tingly inside. From wearing new clothes to handing out goody bags at the mosque, Amira can’t wait for the festivities to begin. But when a flier on the fridge catches her eye, Amira’s stomach goes cold. Not only is it Eid, it’s also school picture day. If she’s not in her class picture, how will her classmates remember her? Won’t her teacher wonder where she is?
Though the day’s celebrations at the mosque are everything Amira was dreaming of, her absence at picture day weighs on her. A last-minute idea on the car ride home might just provide the solution to everything in this delightful story from acclaimed author Reem Faruqi, illustrated with vibrant color by Fahmida Azim.
Cover image and summary via Holiday House