A GOLDEN EID

A young girl and her family celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

When brown-skinned Hafsa spots the first sliver of the new moon through her telescope, she exclaims, “There it is: Tomorrow is the day!” With that, Eid begins, and so does a beloved family tradition: cooking sweets together and delivering them to their neighbors. When the treats run out, Hafsa must make a choice that reflects the true spirit of Ramadan. As her father reminds her, “Being kind is just like this ripple—it grows and grows until it is everywhere,” encapsulating the theme of the book. Khan gently introduces readers to the practices of Ramadan—fasting, praying, and reading the Quran—while portraying a loving family and a richly diverse Muslim community. The accessible language naturally incorporates myriad cultural terms, celebrating traditional clothing like abayas, boubous, shalwar kameez, thobes, kurtas, and kaftans. Jadmiko’s digitally rendered illustrations are bright and expressive, showcasing joyful faces and complementing the text. Set in a modern neighborhood, this sweet and hopeful tale emphasizes generosity, faith, and the importance of community. Recipe and craft instructions in the backmatter invite readers to continue the celebration at home.

A rich embodiment of the Ramadan spirit.