The Gift of Ramadan

by Rabiah York Lumbard, Laura K. Horton (Illustrator)

Overview

Sophia wants to fast for the first time in this Ramadan tale.

Sophia wants to fast for Ramadan this year. Her grandma tells her that fasting helps make a person sparkly—and Sophia loves sparkles. But when her attempt at fasting fails, Sophia must find another way to participate. This lovely multigenerational family story explores the many ways to take part in the Ramadan holiday.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807529027
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	03/01/2021
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	70,299
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD520L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Rabiah York Lumbard is an American Muslim author of several award-winning picture books. She currently lives in Qatar.

Laura K. Horton is a freelance illustrator with a passion for family, creativity, and imagination. She earned her BFA in illustration and animation from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. When not working, she enjoys drinking tea, reading, and game designing. Originally from Utah, Laura currently lives in Finland.

Editorial Reviews

"A child-friendly and –centric look at this important observance."—Kirkus Reviews

"An appealing introduction."—Booklist


"Highly recommended to introduce young readers to Islamic culture and traditions; a perfect addition to holiday book collections."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2019

Gr 2–5—An inquisitive young girl, Sophia, is excited about Ramadan, a holy month of fasting in Islam. As her grandmother and mother describe what Ramadan means, Sophia announces that she will fast. Throughout the day, she tries to keep herself busy and not think about food. However, her little brother starts to chase her with a cookie. As the smell of chocolate fills her nose, Sophia can't resist her urges anymore and starts eating cookies. Distressed that she lost the sparkly feeling she was supposed to gain from fasting, she learns what is expected of different age groups and other ways people can earn blessings during this observance. This book makes Ramadan approachable to young audiences. The adorable illustrations of Sophia and the daily life of one family as they navigate their fasting are age appropriate and represent the story very well. The book has a small issue—the author oversimplifies the concepts of sunrise and sundown. Some terms, such as sahoor and iftar, could have been explained either in the text or in the glossary. VERDICT Highly recommended to introduce young readers to Islamic culture and traditions; a perfect addition to holiday book collections.—Noureen Qadir-Jafar, Syosset Library, NY

School Library Journal

2019-01-15

Little Sophia wants to fast for the first time during Ramadan. She learns it's not easy—but also that fasting is not the only way to partake in Ramadan.

Hearing her grandmother refer to "the heart of a person who fasts" as "pretty and sparkly," Sophia tries to fast on the first day of Ramadan, but she becomes "too hungry." Grandma comforts her, explaining, "No one expects you to fast for an entire day," and, "You have a full month to keep trying." Sophia observes the different ways her parents and Grandma celebrate Ramadan and finds a way to celebrate without fasting the entire day so that with Grandma's help she feels very "sparkly" indeed. Lumbard captures a few simple ways of celebrating and participating in the month of Ramadan through a young child's eyes. Sophia learns that Ramadan is more than just fasting; it's also about prayer and contemplation and about charity and sharing. Horton's use of bright colors—yellow, blue, and purple tones—helps to highlight the month of Ramadan as a special time full of joy and beauty. The family appears to be Western and multiracial; Grandma and Sophia's dad have medium-brown skin, Sophia's mom is white, and Sophia and her little brother have light-brown skin. Grandma covers her hair (even in the house) and Momma does not (except in prayer). An author's note includes basic information about the month of Ramadan.

A child-friendly and -centric look at this important observance. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews