Product Description

Every year, Muslims all over the world celebrate the coming of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. It was during that month, 14 centuries ago, that Allah first began revealing the holy book of Islam, the Quran, to Muhammed. Ghazi's clear and informative description of one boy's celebration of Ramadan is skillfully brought to life by Omar Rayyan's warm and joyful illustration.

Product Details

• Published on: 1996-09
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3?An attractive companion to Mary Matthews's Magid Fasts for Ramadan (Clarion, 1996), set in America rather than Egypt. Hakeem and his family are the focus of Ghazi's description of the holiday?its origin, elements of celebration, and purpose. Though Hakeem plays a prominent role throughout, plot emphasis rests on ritual and events rather than on character development. The boy functions as an "everychild" whose matter-of-fact and heartfelt religious observations help to demystify a part of Islam for non-Muslim children as well as affirm an important part of the Islamic calendar for those who are believers. Ghazi's writing is clear and descriptive with Arabic terms sans pronunciation but described both within context as well as in an appended glossary. The picture-book format creates a warm and welcoming setting, one that beckons to readers and invites exploration. Rayyan's expressive watercolors complete the package with their effective utilization of Islamic stylistic techniques; many are reminiscent of those he created for Eric Kimmel's Rimonah of the Flashing Sword (Holiday, 1995). The artist's skillful juxtaposition of Islamic borders and panels as frames for American Muslim culture highlights the mix of a rich traditional heritage with late 20th-century realities. A good introduction to Dianne MacMillan's Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr (Enslow, 1994), and a fine first look at the richness of Islamic tradition.?Celia A. Huffman, Worthington Public Library, OH
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 5^-9. The month of Ramadan, an Islamic time of fasting, feasting, sharing, and prayer, is seen through the eyes of young Hakeem. Along with his family, he watches the night sky to see the new moon that signals the beginning of the special month. For the next 28 days, the (presumably American) family will wake before dawn to eat a large breakfast, fast all day, and eat an enormous evening meal before heading to the mosque for prayers. Ghazi gives just the right amount of background information, along with interesting details (for instance, Hakeem cannot put anything in his mouth all day, so he is careful not to play so hard that he gets thirsty). Rayyan incorporates into his paintings Islamic symbols and architectural motifs, as well as a lively, ethnically diverse group of people. Highly recommended for most libraries. Susan Dove Lempke

From Kirkus Reviews
Ghazi, while never stating forthrightly that Allah is the same God Christians and Jews worship, explains Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, with pedantry as the guiding force. Readers learn about the Islamic faith, who Muslims are, how a lunar calendar works, the liturgies inside a mosque, and the enchanted hour of the pre-dawn meal just before the inception of a day of fasting. Beyond the fictionalized framework of the boy Hakeem's personal rites and family traditions, there is little to make the information memorable. That's not true of Rayyan's artwork, which is replete with images of the sacred and the profane; it's an eyeful of Islamic motifs, from delicate filigree to miniature panels to a well-lighted mosque that appears to be carved out of the dark. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Beautiful, but not what I was looking for
As other reviewers mentioned, this is a beautifully illustrated book. Common, day-to-day words used by Muslims (Imam, Suhur, Zakah) are explained in an understandable way, so I could see this being a reasonable way to introduce the concepts to non-Muslim children (or even adults). Overall, however, I was disappointed. The interesting, personable little details about Hakeem were heavily weighed down by the "adult talking to child" background information about every last little aspect of Ramadan. I would guess that a quick brush past two dozen new vocabulary words, painstakingly defined, will not actually teach those concepts to non-Muslim children. Meanwhile, I fear that the Muslim children for whom I intended this book as a gift will not find enough story among the definitions and explanations to hold their attention. We have so many stories set at Christmas-time that do not attempt to explain the entire Christian religion and all of the symbolism and rituals of Christmas... I haven't been able to find such stories to purchase for my young Muslim friends. Must every book about them be a child-sized textbook on Muslim faith and practices?

Incredible book
We are Christians, but I want my children to grow up knowing about religious diversity and learning about the beliefs of other religions. It's hard to respect what you don't know.

I'm very much impressed with this book. The text is very clear and gives an abundance of information on both Islam and Ramadan. The illustrations are excellent and fit the text beautifully.

Whatever your faith (or age), this book will provide a beautiful introduction to the religion of Islam and to their holiest holiday.

The BEST book for all ages on Ramadan
I bought this book as a gift for my 5 year old and all my family and friends have wanted a copy since that time. I had to buy extra copies!

It is wonderfully illustrated and very well written. It is wonderful for children, yet... makes a wonderful reader for adults as well on the subject. You will be happy you bought it!