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6 Picture Books to Celebrate Ramadan and Eid
Eid Mubarak! Ramadan begins in late March this year, an observance that lasts for one month. At the end of this month comes a big celebration—Eid al-Fitr. Muslims in America and all over the world celebrate, and we are happy to share these picture books to mark the holidays.
In 2023, Ramadan begins on or around the evening of March 22 to the evening of Friday, Apr 21. This is the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims. During this time, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from sunrise until sunset. In the United States, Muslim families will gather for pre-dawn meals (suhoor) and break their fast at sunset with a meal called iftar.
A Party in Ramadan tells the story of a young Muslim girl who’s invited to a friend’s birthday party during Ramadan and talks with her mother about fasting, and what it means to her family. It’s a beautiful story of inclusion, friendship, community, and growing up!
A Party at Ramadan, by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen
Ramadan is coming, and Leena is excited. Although she is too young to fast every day during the Muslim religious festival, Leena decides to fast each Friday instead. When Leena receives an invitation to a party which happens to fall on Friday, she has a dilemma…
Eid al-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast, which marks the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims attend a morning prayer service at a mosque or Islamic center and then spend the day celebrating with family and friends. In the US, Eid al-Fitr is often celebrated with food, gifts, and festive decorations.
Later in June comes another Eid—Eid al-Adha, which falls on the evening of Wednesday, Jun 28 this year. This is a festival of sacrifice and it is common to donate to charity during this time. The book The Best Eid Ever is all about sharing with others and celebrating with family.
The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen
In this book, young readers can learn about Eid, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslim families every year, as well as the Hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims travel back to Mecca for the Eid, in this picture book about Muslim culture and traditions written by Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Laura Jacobsen.
The celebration of Eid and Ramadan in the United States may vary depending on the local community’s traditions and customs, however the emphasis on prayer, fasting, reflection, and family gatherings remain central to the observance of these occasions.
Other Wonderful Picture Books About Muslim Families:
Time to Pray by Maha Addasi, illustrated by Ned Gannon
A visit with Grandmother in the Middle East is always special for Yasmin, but this time it is even more so in this picture book about faith and family . . . on her first night visiting her grandmother, Yasmin is wakened by the muezzin at the nearby mosque calling the faithful to prayer.
My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Barbara Kiwak
A young boy wrestles with his Muslim identify until a compassionate teacher helps him to understand more about his heritage.
The White Nights of Ramadan by Maha Addasi, illustrated by Ned Gannon
Mid-Ramadan is a special time for families in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. These middle days are known as “the three whites,” because they include the day of the full moon, the day before, and the day after . . . When Noor sees the full moon rising, signaling the coming of Girgian, she and her brothers prepare for the fun.
The Hundredth Name by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim, illustrated by Michael Hays
This picture book for young readers, rich in the details of Middle Eastern village life, tells the warm story of a bond between a father, a son, and the son’s favorite camel, as well as their devotion to the Muslim faith, and the power of prayer in their daily life.
