My First Ramadan

by Karen Katz, Karen Katz (Illustrator)

Overview

Look! There is the new moon in the sky.

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, the narrator is finally old enough to fast, and readers of all ages will be interested as he shares his experiences of this special holiday in Islam.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250062680
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	05/12/2015
Series:	My First Holiday
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	604,304
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Colors of Us, Can You Say Peace?, My First Kwanzaa, Counting Kisses, and Where Is Baby's Belly Button? Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she wrote her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.

Editorial Reviews

Clear words and simple, colorful collage illustrations show the family together as the boy learns the meaning of Muslim customs, prayers, and practices. . . . Children will appreciate the warm, personal narrative, as well as the connections with Muslims all over the world.” —Booklist

“In this simple explanation of Ramadan, a little boy explains that he will be fasting for the first time. . . . The richly patterned collage and mixed-media pictures will appeal to young children. A double-paged spread with many races and national groups illustrates the diversity of the Muslim world.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Upbeat and informative . . . With her signature mixed-media and collage artwork depicting people with large, open, friendly faces, Katz accents a solid and inviting introduction to these holidays.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Katz (My First Kwanzaa) adds to her canon of picture books about multicultural celebrations with this upbeat and informative work. A boy narrator shares with readers what it is like for him and his family to observe the holy month of Ramadan, an important element of their religion, Islam. He describes various faith traditions and practices such as fasting between sunup and sundown, praying in the mosque and, eventually, marking the end of Ramadan with the celebration of a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr. With her signature mixed-media and collage artwork depicting people with large, open, friendly faces, Katz accents a solid and inviting introduction to these holidays. Ages 2-5. (Aug.)

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Publishers Weekly

In this simple explanation of Ramadan, a little boy explains that he will be fasting for the first time. He describes eating breakfast before sunrise, saying special prayers and attending his Islamic school where he makes a calendar and tries to ignore his hunger. After sunset, his family washes their hands and starts the meal with a date, just as Mohammed did with his followers on Ramadan. He visits the mosque during the month and at the end, celebrates Eid al-Fitr with parties and presents. The richly patterned collage and mixed-media pictures will appeal to young children. A double-paged spread with many races and national groups illustrates the diversity of the Muslim world. The book appears to take place in the U.S. (the family eats "buttery eggs, toast, fluffy pancakes, fresh berries, and orange juice" for breakfast), but the mention of assembling in a "town square" for Eid al-Fitr doesn't quite seem to fit. While more details would be useful, the text is appropriate as an introduction. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews