Guest Post: Vicki Garlock, founder World Religions 4 Kids

Ramadan is a month-long Islamic holy period that begins with the sighting of the new moon. During the month, observant Muslims fast during daylight hours, read the entire Qur’an, connect with family and friends, share with those in need, and visit the mosque for prayers and iftars (evening meals when the daily fast is broken). Ramadan ends with the sighting of the next new moon, which marks Eid al-Fitr {eed ahl-FIT-ur}, a major celebration in the Islamic tradition that includes prayers, lots of food, and small gifts.

Ramadan is representative of one of the changes I’ve noticed over the last decade in the religious literacy space: Americans are now more aware than ever about major holydays in religious traditions beyond their own. True transformation happens slowly, but many people in the U.S. have at least heard of Ramadan. As a quick example, I grew up in a small semi-rural town in north-central Illinois. It’s a mostly-Catholic community surrounded by corn fields, literally. Nearly all my friends there know that Ramadan is a “month of fasting for Muslims” and that it falls at a slightly different time each year. To be sure, there’s always more to learn, but the seeds have been planted, and that’s a good thing.

This increased awareness is due to a variety of factors, including the rise in religious diversity across America, a growing collection of kids’ books with religion as a theme, and all sorts of calendars that now include religious holydays. Like other major religious observances (e.g., Diwali, Passover), Eid al-Fitr is sometimes included as a public school holiday, particularly in parts of the country, like New York City, with a large Muslim student population. In fact, in 2023, Dearborn, Michigan became the first U.S. city to make Eid al-Fitr a paid holiday for city employees.

As educators, we need to be part of this progress. We want our students to know more than their parents did, and we want them to be better at solving problems across traditional boundaries. That means we need to keep moving forward. Keep in mind… it IS legal in the U.S. to teach public school students about the world’s religions. The information must be factual, not devotional, in nature, and the presentation must be as unbiased as possible – neither pushing nor denigrating religious beliefs and practices. In return, religion-related classroom content promotes religious literacy, helps students feel seen, and may reduce religiously-motivated harassment – all while meeting numerous K-12 instructional standards!

When it comes to Ramadan, teachers have lots of options. One relatively easy approach is to start with a picture book. But, by my count, there are over 70 picture books about Ramadan! That means the “easy approach” just got way more difficult. To make it more manageable, I’ve reviewed over 50 of them, mostly published since 2015. I’m looking for books that are accurate, easy to read, non-devotional, and visually interesting. The list below is geared to educators and caregivers who don’t already know a lot about Ramadan. For Muslim families or classrooms where lots of students and/or teachers already observe Ramadan, some of my recommendations would be different, so feel free to reach out. The complete list of all the books I reviewed can be found at the end of this post. Happy reading!

Best Overall

Ramadan: A Holy Month by Malik Amin (author) and Debby Rahmalia (illustrator) was published as a Little Golden Book in 2024. It does a great job of explaining what Ramadan is and acknowledging that the observance is more than just fasting. The colorful illustrations show a range of skin tones, hairstyles, and modes of dress. It also offers some great vocabulary words with pronunciations in the glossary. One of my favorite aspects of this book is that it highlights the international nature of Islam, pointing out how observances are the same around the world and also how they’re different. It’s difficult for a single book to explain all there is to know about a month-long holyday observed by almost 2 billion people, but this one does a great job.

Best Picture Book: PreK-1st

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Lisa Bullard (author) and Holli Conger (illustrator) has been around for a long time, but it’s still one of my favorites. The basic text and straight-forward illustrations are great for younger kids. Each spread also includes a text box with additional information you can incorporate if you wish. The vocabulary is pretty simple, and pronunciation guides are included in the glossary. Because it was published in 2013, there are lots of copies around. It’s free on Kindle Unlimited and found in many libraries. You can buy used copies for very little money. Even new copies are only about $10. There are also lots of read-aloud YouTube videos for this book. I like this one.

Best Picture Book: Grades 2-5

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story is a popular book by well-known Muslim author, Hena Khan. Although sometimes marketed as a book for Preschool-Kindergarten kids, I think both the vocabulary and the illustrations (by Julie Paschkis) are better suited to a slightly older crowd. The book follows Yasmeen as she moves through the month…from new moon to new moon. Along the way, we learn about Ramadan through her experiences and conversations with her family members and classroom teacher.  The glossary provides pronunciation guides, which you will probably need, but don’t let a few unfamiliar words scare you away from this charming book.

 

Best Under the Radar Book

Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan by Farida Zaman is my pick for a great Ramadan book that you might not run across. Many non-Muslims wonder about the fasting rules for kids during Ramadan. The truth is that kids practice, sometimes over many years, by fasting for part of the day or fasting for a full day when they don’t have to attend school. Younger siblings often fast for less time than older siblings, and many kids struggle with it. In other words, learning to fast from dawn to sunset for an entire month is a process! In this book, Aliya, who is not required to fast because she’s a kid, decides on her own to fast anyway. Her fasting plan doesn’t entirely work out, which gives her mom a chance to explain that Ramadan is about much more than not eating. This book also includes lots of sweet interactions with Aliya’s non-Muslim friends.

Best Marginalized Voices Books

In Zahra’s Blessing: A Ramadan Story by Shirin Shamsi (author) and Manal Mirza (illustrator), Zahra hopes for a sister. We follow her story as she befriends a girl at the shelter who has been displaced. Along the way, we learn what Ramadan is really all about, with the practice of fasting held very much in the backdrop. The hopeful ending offers a window into one girl’s refugee story with additional information provided at the end. This book is a particularly great option if you have students/families in your community who are Muslim refugees.

Zara’s New Eid Dress by Nafisah Abdul-Rahmin is a great way to lift up the African-American Muslim community. Zara and her mom are searching for Zara’s dream dress, but nothing seems quite right. In the end, Zara and her Nana make a dress that’s perfect for the occasion. I don’t think it works very well to talk about Eid al-Fitr unless you’ve already talked about Ramadan…since Ramadan is the lead-in to the Eid. However, using one of these other options at the beginning of the month and then using a book like this one for Eid al-Fitr is a great way to acknowledge the month-long nature of the observance.

Books for Readers

There aren’t a lot of books out there for readers, but a couple of them are quite good.

Rabia’s Eid by Rukhsana Khan (author) and Debby Rahmalia (illustrator) is a Step-into-Reading book that centers on the last day of Ramadan and the eve of Eid al-Fitr. It’s a great option for young Muslim readers .

Sadiq and the Ramadan Gift by Siman Nuurali (author) and Anjan Sarkar (illustrator) is a chapter book about a Somali-American boy living in Minnesota. He and his friends are planning a fundraising project for Ramadan, but conflict ensues. Nice opening page with pronunciation guide and a bit of additional info. about Somalia and Ramadan.

Conclusion

Sometimes, when we look at statistics around antisemitism, Islamophobia, and religiously-motivated harassment, it feels like we are taking giant steps backwards. But we need to keep moving forward. Being on the cutting edge isn’t always easy, but it is important, and there are tools that can help. Starting with a published kids’ book, and adding in a craft or activity, is a great way to build your religion-related content. If you want additional ideas, check out some of the ready-made Ramadan lesson plans created for school-aged kids, like this one or this one.

As always, if you have any of your own experiences to share, please feel free to post a comment or reach out via email. And, if your favorite book isn’t already on my list, let me know. I’m happy to include it in future updates.

Complete List of Reviewed Books

Adam’s First Fast by Amaan Ishaq (2022)

Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan by Farida Zaman (Owlkids Books, 2023)

Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi (author) and Fahmida Azim (illustrator) (Holiday House, 2021)

Baby’s First Ramadan (DK Publishing, 2021)

Celebrate Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr by Deborah Heiligman (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2006)

Crayola Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr Colors by Mari Schuh (Lerner Publications, 2019)

Drummer Girl by Hiba Masood (author) and Hoda Hadadi (illustrator) (Daybreak Press, 2016)

Eid Breakfast at Abuela’s by Mariam Said (author) and Chaymaa Sobhy (illustrator) (Prolance, 2019)

The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard (author) and Laura K. Horton (illustrator) (Albert Whitman & Company, 2019)

Hannah and the Ramadan Gift by Qasim Rashid (author) and Aaliya Jaleel (illustrator) (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021)

Hassan and Aneesa Love Ramadan by Yasmin Rahim (author) and Omar Burgess (illustrator) (Islamic Foundation, 2017)

The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi (author) and Nadia Alam (illustrator) (Henry Holt and Company, 2024)

Ilyas & Duck – Ramadan Joy! by Omar S. Khawaja (author) and Leo Antolini (illustrator) (LBK Books, 2018)

It’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr! by Richard Sebra (Lerner Publications, 2017)

It’s Ramadan, Curious George by Hena Khan (author) and Mary O’Keefe Young (illustrator) (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016)

It’s Ramadan for Zara and Zayn by A. S. Hayat (author) and Azra Momin (illustrator) (2021)

Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi (author) and Lea Lyon (illustrator) (Tilbury House Publishers, 2015)

Let’s Celebrate Ramadan & Eid! (Maya & Neel’s India Adventure Series, Book 4) by Ajanta Chakraborty and Vivek Kumar (authors) and Janelle Diller (editor) (Bollywood Groove, 2017)

Looking for the Eid Moon by Sahtinay Abaza (author) and Sandra Eide (illustrator) (Sleeping Bear Press, 2024)

Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle by Reza Jalali (author) and Anne Sibley O’Brien (illustrator) (Tilbury House Publishers, 2017)

Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi (Versify, 2023)

The Most Exciting Eid by Zeba Talkhani (author) and Abeeha Tariq (illustrator) (Scholastic Press, 2022)

My First Book about Ramadan by Sara Khan (author) and Alison Lodge (illustrator) (Islamic Foundation/Kube Publishing, 2021).

My First Ramadan by Karen Katz (Henry Holt and Company, 2007)

Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams and illustrated by Proiti Roy (Marshall Cavendish Children, 2010)

The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil (author) and Rashin Kheiriyeh (illustrator) (Little Brown & Company, 2023)

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story by Hena Khan (author) and Julie Paschkis (illustrator) (Chronicle Books, 2008)

Noura’s Crescent Moon by Zainab Khan (author) and Nabila Adani (illustrator) (Candlewick Press, 2024)

A Party in Ramadan by Asma Mobin-Uddin (author) and Laura Jacobsen (illustrator) (Boyds Mills Press, 2009)

R Is for Ramadan (BabyLit) by Greg Paprocki (BabyLit, 2019)

Rabia’s Eid (Step into Reading) by Rukhsana Khan (author) and Debby Rahmalia (illustrator) (Random House Children’s Books, 2024)

Ramadan by Susan L. Douglass (author) and Jeni Reeves (illustrator) (Carolrhoda Books, 2004)

Ramadan (Bullfrog Books: Holidays) by R.J. Bailey (Jump! International, 2017)

Ramadan (Celebrate the World) by Hannah Eliot (author) and Rashin (illustrator) (Little Simon, 2018)

Ramadan (Holiday Fun!) by Adeline J. Zimmerman (Tadpole Books, 2022)

Ramadan (Holidays Around the World) by Lisa Jackson (Rourke Educational Media, 2020)

Ramadan (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by David F. Marx (Children’s Press, 2002)

Ramadan (Seedlings) by Lori Dittmer (Creative Education and Creative Paperbacks, 2021)

Ramadan (Spot Holidays) by Mari Schuh (Amicus, 2020)

Ramadan: A Holy Month (Little Golden Book) by Malik Amin (author) and Debby Rahmalia (illustrator) (Golden Books, 2024)

Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting by Ausma Zehanat Khan (Orca Book Publishers, 2018).

The Ramadan Drummer by Sahtinay Abaza (author) and Dinara Mirtalipova (illustrator) (Reycraft Books, 2024) 

Ramadan Fiesta by Mariam Said (author) and Chaymaa Sobhy (illustrator) (Prolance, 2022)

Ramadan Kareem by M. O. Yuksel (author) and Hatem Aly (illustrator) (Harper, 2024)

Ramadan Moon by Na’ima B. Robert (author) and Shirin Adl (illustrator) (Francis Lincoln Children’s Books, 2015)

A Ramadan to Remember by Marzieh A. Ali (author) and Najwa Awatiff (illustrator) (Soaring Kite Books, 2024)

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (Cloverleaf Books – Holidays and Special Days) by Lisa Bullard (author) and Holli Conger (illustrator) (Millbrook Press, 2012)

Sadiq and the Ramadan Gift by Siman Nuurali (author) and Anjan Sarkar (illustrator) (Picture Window Books, 2021)

Sasha’s Ramadan: An Islamic Journey of Prayer, Charity, and Community by Robert Wilson (author) and Rio Shuvo (illustrator) (2024)

Tell me more about Ramadan by Bachar Karroum (author) and Tanja Varcelija (illustrator) (2018)

Under the Ramadan Moon by Sylvia Whitman (author) and Sue Williams (illustrator) (Albert Whitman & Company, 2008)

The White Nights of Ramadan by Maha Addasi (author) and Ned Gannon (illustrator) (Boyds Mills Press, 2008)

Zahra’s Blessing: A Ramadan Story by Shirin Shamsi (author) and Manal Mirza (illustrator) (Barefoot Books, 2022)

Zara’s New Eid Dress by Nafisah Abdul-Rahim (Archway Publishing, 2020)

About the Author

Rev. Vicki Garlock, Ph.D. is the founder of World Religions 4 Kids, a company dedicated to improving religious literacy in children and their adults. She is the author of We All Have Sacred Spaces and ABCs of the World’s Religions, both of which received multiple awards. Geared to kids age 5-10, the books offer insights into numerous religious traditions in a single volume, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism.

Vicki earned her Ph.D. in Psychology with dual specialties in neuroscience and cognitive development. Over the years, she has written extensively for both The Interfaith Observer and Multicultural Kid Blogs. She also regularly works with educators (especially social studies teachers), parents, and faith communities around the country. Vicki and her husband live in Asheville and have two almost-grown children. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, or TikTok (@learnreligions).