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Samira's Eid
The Ramadan fast is over and now it is time for prayers and presents. A surprise visitor brings a mysterious present and has an unusual story to tell. Great for teaching children about Islamic holidays and culture.
- GenresChildrens
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 13, 2013
Samira’s Eid is an interesting book containing two languages – English and Urdu. It tells the story of two Muslim children (Samira and Hassan) and their experience of Ramadan and Eid. However, it is Hassan’s first time fasting and he is a little anxious, but is reassured by his mother about what he might expect and why Muslims fast. The story continues with all of the stages of a fasting day, right through to Eid prayer and the celebration of Eid. Throughout the book, the children refer to their sick grandmother (Nani) hoping that she recovers and returns home to spend Eid with them. Toward the end of the book, Nani surprises the children and returns home bearing a surprise gift – a book, which is entitled ‘Samira’s Eid’, the book being read!
The illustrations are simple, but colourful and show the characters wearing tradition attire. The images also include a mosque and some traditional foods. In addition to this, some Urdu language is used to refer to foods such as ‘samosa’ and other Muslim obligations such as ‘zakat’ (charity). This book is excellent with regards to having dual language pages, as it allows parents/grandparents of Asian heritage, who can only read Urdu to read to their child/children in their mother tongue, whilst the child could read the book to them in English.
It would also be a good resource in the classroom for teaching children about accepting diversity and respecting others’ beliefs. For example it could be used in Religious Education in KS1, as it could be used to introduce the concept of Islam and what it means to be a Muslim, what practicing Muslims do in terms of Ramadan/fasting, praying at the mosque and celebrating the festival of Eid. The teacher could read to the class, using the visualiser to show the illustrations, pointing out traditional attire, such as the headscarf, places of worship, such as the mosque and traditional foods such as samosa. In addition to this, it could be used cross-curricula, for example in art, children could make their own Eid cards (like the characters in the book) and send them to one another. The teacher/parents could also bring in traditional foods for the children to taste and a simple cooking activity could also be incorporated. Children could also dress up and use role-play in drama to re enact the story, or put on an Eid assembly sharing their knowledge of Islam to the whole school and/or parents.
The illustrations are simple, but colourful and show the characters wearing tradition attire. The images also include a mosque and some traditional foods. In addition to this, some Urdu language is used to refer to foods such as ‘samosa’ and other Muslim obligations such as ‘zakat’ (charity). This book is excellent with regards to having dual language pages, as it allows parents/grandparents of Asian heritage, who can only read Urdu to read to their child/children in their mother tongue, whilst the child could read the book to them in English.
It would also be a good resource in the classroom for teaching children about accepting diversity and respecting others’ beliefs. For example it could be used in Religious Education in KS1, as it could be used to introduce the concept of Islam and what it means to be a Muslim, what practicing Muslims do in terms of Ramadan/fasting, praying at the mosque and celebrating the festival of Eid. The teacher could read to the class, using the visualiser to show the illustrations, pointing out traditional attire, such as the headscarf, places of worship, such as the mosque and traditional foods such as samosa. In addition to this, it could be used cross-curricula, for example in art, children could make their own Eid cards (like the characters in the book) and send them to one another. The teacher/parents could also bring in traditional foods for the children to taste and a simple cooking activity could also be incorporated. Children could also dress up and use role-play in drama to re enact the story, or put on an Eid assembly sharing their knowledge of Islam to the whole school and/or parents.
January 12, 2013
In this story we are introduced to Samira and Hassan. Ramadan is taking place and we witness their first fast. Hassan is very hungry but his mum reminds him why the fast is so important.
The special feast of Eid arrives and we see the children’s excitement. The family celebrates this special day in many ways. Firstly they all wear new clothes and go to the mosque to pray. They receive cards and presents from family and friends and lots of delicious food is prepared for a special family get together.
I believe this book would be a wonderful resource for any classroom. It is well written and provides us with much information about the festival of Eid. Its illustrations are realistic through their depiction of the events and characters in the story. I believe this book would be suitable for Key stage 1 as it provides a good introduction to the festival and the concept of fasting.
This book is a dual print book and is available 10 languages and would therefore also be very valuable in terms of supporting EAL pupils in the classroom.
The special feast of Eid arrives and we see the children’s excitement. The family celebrates this special day in many ways. Firstly they all wear new clothes and go to the mosque to pray. They receive cards and presents from family and friends and lots of delicious food is prepared for a special family get together.
I believe this book would be a wonderful resource for any classroom. It is well written and provides us with much information about the festival of Eid. Its illustrations are realistic through their depiction of the events and characters in the story. I believe this book would be suitable for Key stage 1 as it provides a good introduction to the festival and the concept of fasting.
This book is a dual print book and is available 10 languages and would therefore also be very valuable in terms of supporting EAL pupils in the classroom.
September 18, 2011
This is a dual language book, written in both Urdu and English. It is the story of Eid, an Islamic festival. The story relates how Samira and her family celebrate Ramadan and the rituals followed by Muslims. It starts with the children having breakfast before sunrise so that they could fast during the day, before they can have dinner late in the evening, after sundown.
The night before Eid the new moon was sighted and in the morning the children wished each other ’Eid Mubarak’. New clothes, a shalwar-kameez was waiting for Samira to wear to the Mosque. In the mosque they prayed and listened to the Imam, the teacher. Everyone greeted each other with ‘Eid Mubarak’. Presents were exchanged and cards were received and a feast was shared with all the family, then stories were told.
A well-illustrated story giving children an outline of the story of Eid, containing factual information about the Muslim culture.
The night before Eid the new moon was sighted and in the morning the children wished each other ’Eid Mubarak’. New clothes, a shalwar-kameez was waiting for Samira to wear to the Mosque. In the mosque they prayed and listened to the Imam, the teacher. Everyone greeted each other with ‘Eid Mubarak’. Presents were exchanged and cards were received and a feast was shared with all the family, then stories were told.
A well-illustrated story giving children an outline of the story of Eid, containing factual information about the Muslim culture.
October 16, 2012
This is a wonderful story about 'fasting' and 'Eid' and Samira and Hassan's first fast. Hassan was very hungry but his mother reminded him not only of all the other people who were fasting but those who didn't have anything to eat.
It was the final fast of the month as the children witnessed a glimpse of the new moon which meant it was time for a celebration, new clothes, lots of delicious food and a family get together. But best of all their gran surprised them and joined in with the celebrations.
The story illustrates one way of celebrating multi-cultural diversity within a learning environment. The pictures are colourful and depict reality of the characters through their clothes and stages of the story.
I feel this book is suitable within early years and key stage 1. Even as a starting point for key stage 2 who are learning about Islamic celebrations. Role-play could provide opportunities for children to show their understanding of the festival.
It was the final fast of the month as the children witnessed a glimpse of the new moon which meant it was time for a celebration, new clothes, lots of delicious food and a family get together. But best of all their gran surprised them and joined in with the celebrations.
The story illustrates one way of celebrating multi-cultural diversity within a learning environment. The pictures are colourful and depict reality of the characters through their clothes and stages of the story.
I feel this book is suitable within early years and key stage 1. Even as a starting point for key stage 2 who are learning about Islamic celebrations. Role-play could provide opportunities for children to show their understanding of the festival.
April 17, 2023
A sweet little story about one little girl and her family's celebration of Eid, but the illustrations were not at all appealing to me. Given the lack of picture books specifically about Eid (as compared to books about Ramadan with Eid possibly tacked on), I would still recommend it especially as others might find the illustrations more appealing than I did. I appreciate that it is a dual-language book with text in both English and Urdu. There is no back-matter so readers not already familiar with the holiday may wish to gather additional information on their own.
April 30, 2015
Samira’s Eid tells the story of a Muslim family through the stages of Ramadan and into the celebrations of Eid. This is a dual language book in English and Urdu, designed to help children that may not speak English outside of their family life too often. The story begins with the parents explaining the importance of fasting, as well as eating breakfast to get through the day. When the children are hungry in the day, they are reminded of others fasting, as well as children not lucky enough to have more than one meal a day. The story then builds on the anticipation of the fall of Eid, with the children listening out on the radio for the fall of the new moon in Mecca. The family travel to the Mosque on the day of Eid to participate in their religious practices, with the celebrations of Eid following later in the day in the forms of dinner, gifts, cards and the presence of friends and family.
Being a dual language book, Samira’s Eid can be useful for helping bilingual children develop their basic reading and language skills in both English and Urdu. This book is ideal for small shared reading groups where the teacher can slowly introduce the child to reading basic English. The book is also very useful for supporting the area of religious education as it describes the principles and motivation of the festival of Eid. This book explains to the reader the importance of respecting the faith that they or others may follow outside of the classroom.
Being a dual language book, Samira’s Eid can be useful for helping bilingual children develop their basic reading and language skills in both English and Urdu. This book is ideal for small shared reading groups where the teacher can slowly introduce the child to reading basic English. The book is also very useful for supporting the area of religious education as it describes the principles and motivation of the festival of Eid. This book explains to the reader the importance of respecting the faith that they or others may follow outside of the classroom.
March 10, 2011
Samira’s Eid was written by Nasreen Aktar and Enebor Attard. The story revolves around Samira and Hassan’s first festival of Eid. Hassan has never had to fast before and he is never in the beginning. His mother reminded him of the significance of the fast when he became hungry; be thankful for what you have. There are numerous illustrations within the story that make it culturally specific. In the story there is a beautiful mosque’s for worship, intricate shalwar-kemeez for Samira, and a wonderful feast for the entire family. The story introduces many beliefs and customs of Eid in a very casual manner. For instance, as the children peer out the window at the new moon one asks where it was, the other child quickly responded, “in Mecca, of course!” By causally introducing beliefs in his manner the author finds a great balance between educating the unaware and providing a entertaining story for those familiar with the beliefs.
March 17, 2015
This is story about Samira during Eid. It then talks about all the things that happen during Eid, such as special feasts, new clothes, the cards and presents Samira will receive etc.
This would be a great story to use when thinking about celebrations from different cultures and religions from around the world. It is very informative about the festival of Eid and would therefore benefit children to listen to.
This would be a great story to use when thinking about celebrations from different cultures and religions from around the world. It is very informative about the festival of Eid and would therefore benefit children to listen to.
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April 13, 2016As a child, this book didn't intrigue me because of my name being Samira too, but this story gives everyone an insight of how special eid really is with the family gathering and the prospects behind as to why Eid is celebrated :)
The two characters Samira and Hasan remind me of myself and my little brother Farhan :)
The two characters Samira and Hasan remind me of myself and my little brother Farhan :)
Want to read
October 18, 2012good
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews