The sighting of the moon's first crescent begins the month of Ramadan for Muslims all over the world. This vibrantly illustrated story invites children to experience the traditions of the month through the eyes of a seven-year-old Pakistani-American girl named Yasmeen, who watches each night as the moon grows and shrinks and finally disappears. When the moon's first crescent reappears, it's time to celebrate "The Night of the Moon" and the gift-giving holiday of Eid—when Yasmeen has a wonderful gift in store! With lush illustrations that evoke Islamic art, this beautiful story of growing awareness offers a window into modern Muslim-American culture—and into the ancient roots that its traditions have grown from.
Hena Khan is a Pakistani Muslim-American who has written numerous books for children. She lives in Rockville, Maryland.

Reviews:
"A new moon is in the sky, and Yasmeen, identified on the jacket as a seven-year-old Pakistani-American, knows that it is time for the holidays of Ramadan and Eid. As Khan (How to Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say, and Get What You Want) and Paschkis (Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal) follow Yasmeen through all the festivities (a family backyard barbecue, a visit to a mosque, a henna hand-painting), they portray Muslims as another vibrant thread in the great American tapestry, emphasizing the bonds of family, community and spirituality rather than details of a particular belief system (for example, Yasmeen's mother explains that the customary fasting "helps me remember to be grateful for the food I have and to be more patient"). Paschkis, borrowing from the arabesque motifs and jeweled colors of Islamic art, portrays the Muslim community as warm, welcoming and multi-ethnic (for non-Muslim youngsters, the idea that Islam is practiced by many different kinds of people may be revelatory). Sweet and visually striking, this is a good choice both for children who celebrate these holidays and for others seeking a bridge to their culture. Ages 4-8." Publishers Weekly 7/7/2008

"Yasmeen's mother points out the little sliver of the crescent moon to remind her of the new month that means Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim year. As Yasmeen moves through the month and the moon waxes and wanes, she learns the lessons of the celebration. Khan deftly weaves information about the culinary and cultural traditions of Ramadan and Eid with the little girl's love of her family and growing understanding of her role in the outside world. The gentle and reflective text reflects the simple arc of the month; it's Paschkis's stunning gouache paintings that make this book so memorable. Deep, saturated blues and greens remind readers that Ramadan is a celebration that takes place after sunset. When the Night of the Moon celebration occurs indoors at the community center, the reds and oranges burst with happiness. Specialized vocabulary is signaled in the text with an Arabic-flavored display type that leads readers to the terms' definitions in the back and complements the framed panels bordered with Eastern motifs. Warm, lovely, homey. (Author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)" Kirkus Reviews 8/15/2008

Sarah is upset because she cannot find a Eid gift for her mother. She decides to take a walk along her secret path in the woods. There, she not only finds the perfect gift, but also learns to appreciate nature. A "perfect gift" would only be suitable for someone as special as a mother. Read about the creativity of a young girl and how, with a little imagination, she finds a gift that is just perfect!

In this heart-warming tale about helping others, Yan’s trip to perform Hajj turns into a journey that lasts a lifetime.

Yan is a big-hearted young man determined to perform Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. But first, he must work hard on his farm and fill up his money bag for the journey. Despite the trials he faces on each unsuccessful trip to the Kaaba, Yan’s helpful nature, compassion, and generosity enable him to succeed in the end.

Fawzia Gilani-Williams was born in England where she graduated as a teacher. She serves as an international educational consultant with a PhD in children’s literature and character development. She is a Global Representative for the International Positive Education Network and works for the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the UAE. Sophie Burrows is a children’s illustrator based in England.

Eid al-Fitr is here, and Hassan and Aneesa are helping to decorate their house before the celebrations begin. On Eid they will wake early to wash before performing a special prayer outside. After the prayer, it is time to celebrate with friends and family.

Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs. This gentle, moving story from first-time author Reem Faruqi comes to life in Lea Lyon’s vibrant illustrations. Lyon uses decorative arabesque borders on intermittent spreads to contrast the ordered patterns of Islamic observances with the unbounded rhythms of American school days.

The Amana Series presents the Saeed family, an American Muslim family and their children. In the first and second grades we are introduced to Jamal, a six year old boy who is an expert at getting into trouble! Author Uthman Hutchinson (also known for The Invincible Abdullah Series) has a wonderful gift of writing as he offers us a look into the life of a committed Muslim family who nevertheless are very much a part of their community. In these humorous stories you will enjoy reading about the usual mischief little boys are good at getting into.

Beloved Folk Tales consists of stories handed down through the generations. These are stories children have adored generation after generation, stories they have grown to love and appreciate. These Arabic stories are written in a simple, thoughtful and interesting style. They are complemented by innovative, colored illustrations that help foster children’s imaginations and bring happiness to their hearts. Stories are completely punctuated with tashkeel (diacritical marks) in order to help school children develop smooth reading skills.

When my friend's daughter, Leila, told her classmates that she won't be joining them at lunch time they couldn't understand. They asked her to hide and eat, or at least to drink. Some even thought she was punished or given a time out! Leila was simply practicing one of the pillars of Islam, which is fasting the month of Ramadan.

When she told me about the incident, I went to her middle school and gave a small speech about Ramadan to two classes. The response was a wakeup call for me. Ramadan is still not defined in the minds of many kids and teenagers in the United States.

This book tries to answer basic questions about Ramadan. It also offers some glimpses of the ways different American Muslim communities celebrate this holy month.