We are coming toward the end of Ramadan, the holy ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan honors the moment when Allah (God) revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad and it is one of the most important times of the year for Muslims. Older children, teens and adults observe the holy month by fasting daily from sunrise to sunset, by attending mosque and saying special prayers, and by studying the Quran.

Ramadan will end this weekend with Eid al-Fitr, a three-day long celebration to mark fast breaking. The holiday celebrations often include attending a special Eid prayer service, eating festive meals with family and friends, gift-giving and offering donations to the poor. All New York City public schools will be closed on Monday for Eid al-Fitr. The New York City Department of Education has an educational guide about Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the festival of the sacrifice that also marks the end of Hajj, the annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca.  

The New York Public Library has several picture books, non-fiction books and e-books for children and a few titles for teens observing or wish to learn more about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The book titles are listed below along with short summaries by the publishers.

Children’s Picture Books

My First Ramadan, by Karen Katz

It's time for Ramadan to begin. Follow along with one young boy as he observes the Muslim holy month with his family. This year, he wants to try to fast like the grown-ups do.

 

 

 

 

Ramadan Count and Celebrate, by Fredrick McKissack Jr.

Kids count from one to ten as they learn about the history and customs of Ramadan.

 

 

 

It’s Ramadan, Curious George, by Hena Khan

George is so excited. He is going to celebrate Ramadan with his friend Kareem! Together they sample special treats, make baskets to donate to the needy, and look for the crescent moon. Come along to celebrate this special time of year with everyone's favorite monkey in this playful tabbed board-book book of rhymes.

 

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story, by Hena Khan, illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Yasmeen has a wonderful time celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with her family and friends.

 

 

 

 

Under the Ramadan Moon and e-book, by Sylvia Whitman, illustrations by Sue Williams

Ramadan is one of the most special months of the Islamic year, when Muslims pray, fast, and help those in need. Whitman's lyrical story, with luminous illustrations by Sue Williams, serves as an ideal introduction to Ramadan.

 

 

 

Lailah’s Lunchbox, by Reem Farqoui, illustrated by Lea Lyon

Now that she is ten, Lailah is delighted that she can fast during the month of Ramadan like her family and her friends in Abu Dhabi, but finding a way to explain to her teacher and classmates in Atlanta is a challenge until she gets some good advice from the librarian, Mrs. Scrabble.

 

 

The White Nights of Ramadan, by Maha Addasi, illustrated by Ned Gannon

Describes the celebration of the month of Ramadan by an Islamic family and discusses the meaning and importance of this holiday in the Islamic religion.

 

 

 

 

Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale, retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Prioti Roy

Now that Ramadan has come to an end, and the celebration of Eid will begin tomorrow, Nabeel the shoemaker goes to buy special gifts for his family to wear to the mosque for the holiday, he is persuaded by the shopkeeper to get new pants for himself, too, but the only pair available is too long, and no one seems to have time to shorten them for him. Includes a glossary of Arabic.

 

Moonwatchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle, by Reza Jalali, illustrated by Anne Sibley O-Brien

Nine-year-old Shirin wants to join her family and other Muslims in fasting for Ramadan but is told she is too young, and so she seeks other ways to participate including, perhaps, getting along better with her older brother, Ali.

 

 

 

Ramadan Moon, by Na’ima B. Robert, illustrated by Shirin Adi

A joyful evocation of the great Muslim festival of Ramadan and Id for children.

 

 

 

 

 

A Party in Ramadan, by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen

Ramadan is coming and Leena is excited. Although she is too young to fast each day during the Muslim holy month, she decides to fast on a Friday that her aunt will be visiting. Now Leena has a dilemma. She receives an invitation to a party which happens to fall on that same Friday. Leena doesn't want to miss the party, but she doesn't want to miss fasting either. So Leena decides to go to the party, but not eat or drink Later, she will join her family for the meal known as iftar, when the daily fast is broken. But when Leena, who is the only Muslim at the party, sees her friends enjoying fresh lemonade and chocolate cake, her stomach starts to growl and her head begins to hurt. Will she keep her Ramadan fast?

 

Children’s Nonfiction Books

Celebrating Ramadan & Eid a-Fitr, by Deborah Heiligman, consultant Neguin Yavari

Explains the history and traditions that are a part of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.

 

 

 

 

 

Ramadan and Id-Ul-Fitr, by Roslind Kerver

Introduces this Muslim holiday, discussing when it takes place, its history and significance, preparations, how it is celebrated, and the foods that are eaten on it.

 

 

 

 

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr, by Lisa Bullard, illustrated by Holli Conger

Explains the history of the holiday, discussing the customs and the celebration Eid al-Fitr.

 

 

 

 

Ramadan, by Suhaib Hamid Ghasi, illustrated by Omar Rayyan

Describes the celebration of the month of Ramadan by an Islamic family and discusses the meaning and importance of this holiday in the Islamic religion.

 

 

Ramadan, by Julie Murray

Presents information on Ramadan the sacred month in the Muslim calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims fast, pray and read the Koran.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Ramadan, by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, photographs by Lawrence Migdale

Follows Ibrahim’s family through the month of praying and fasting until the feast that ends Ramadan, explaining the basic beliefs of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad and looking at an Islamic American family.   

 

 

 

Ramadan, by Susan L. Douglas, illustrated by Jeni Reeves

An introduction to Islamic observances during the month of Ramadan and the subsequent festival of Eid-al-Fitr.

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Ramadan, by Laura S. Jeffrey

Discusses the significance of Ramadan, a month-long observance celebrated in the Islamic faith.

 

 

 

 

 

Book and E-Book for Teens / Young Adults

Fasting in Islam & the Month of Ramadan, by Ali Budak

This book seeks to explore the divine institution of fasting in Islam by providing comprehensive information on its place in the Islamic doctrine and on the month of Ramadan in which fasting is observed. Major topics include fasting in Islam and other faiths; merits and benefits of fasting; types of fasts; charity in Ramadan; fasting and health.

 

 

 

 

The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook, by Dilara Hafiz, Imran Hafiz and Yasmine Hafiz

Timely and engaging, The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook conveys the basics of the fastest-growing, most stereotyped and misunderstood religion in America in a progressive, open-minded manner. By explaining Islam from a fresh perspective, it brings relevance, humor, and understanding to an audience in search of answers.

 

 

 

 

Books about Ramadan in Arabic/  كتب عن رمضان باللغة العربية

Samīrah fī al-ʻĪd = Samira's Eid, by Nasreen Aktar, illustrated by Enebor Attard ; Arabic translation by Azza Habashi. = سميرة في العيد 

The sighting of the thin new moon signals the start of the Muslim festival of Eid, a day of celebration for Samira and her family. The Ramadan fast is over and now it is time for prayers and presents. But what is the story that the surprise visitor has to tell?

ʻIndamā duqqā al-bāb / qiṣṣāt Taghrīd ʻĀrif al-Najjār ; rusūm Rīm Walīd al-ʻAskarī. عندما دق الباب / قصة تغريد عارف النجار ؛ رسوم ريم وليد العسكري.

Riham and her friend help mother in making colorful lanterns to decorate the house in celeberation of the coming holy month of Ramadan. But suddenly the power supply was off and they hear the sound of a knock on the door -- wonder who is out there.

Ramadan Books in Bengali / বাংলা ভাষায় রমজান বই

Samīrāra Īda = Samira's Eid, by Nasreen Aktar, illustrated by Enebor Attard ; Bengali translation by Sujata Banerjee. = সমীরার ঈদ.

The sighting of the thin new moon signals the start of the Muslim festival of Eid, a day of celebration for Samira and her family. The Ramadan fast is over and now it is time for prayers and presents. But what is the story that the surprise visitor has to tell?

Ismat's Eid, by Fawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Proiti Roy,  Ismater eid / punrkathana, Fawzia Gilani-Uiliẏāmsa ; citra, Proiti Roy ; anubāda, Ūshaśī Dāsa.

 

Ramadan Book in Urdu / اردو میں رمضان کی کتاب

Samīrā kī ʻīd = Samira's Eid / written by Nasreen Aktar ; illustrated by Enebor Attard ; Urdu translation by Qamar Zamani

The sighting of the thin new moon signals the start of the Muslim festival of Eid, a day of celebration for Samira and her family. The Ramadan fast is over and now it is time for prayers and presents. But what is the story that the surprise visitor has to tell?

 

Ramadan Book in Turkish / Ramazan kitabi

Samira'nın Bayrami = Samira's Eid / Nasreen Aktar ; illustrated by Enebor Attard ; Turkish translation by Kelâmi Dedezade.

The sighting of the thin new moon signals the start of the Muslim festival of Eid, a day of celebration for Samira and her family. The Ramadan fast is over and now it is time for prayers and presents. But what is the story that the surprise visitor has to tell?

 

Ramadan Book in Spanish / Libro de Ramadán en Español

El Ramadán by Katie Gillespie

Did you know that Ramadan has been celebrated for about 1,400 years? The first White House Ramadan celebration was held in 1805. Explore these and other fascinating facts in 'Ramadan', a Celebrate American Holidays book.