Sami's Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story

by M.O. Yuksel, Hüseyin Sönmezay (Illustrator)

It’s Eid al-Adha, and Sami wants to celebrate. But this year is different after his grandfather’s passing. A touching picture book about kindness towards others.

Sami worries that the Eid al-Adha carnival won’t be as fun without Dede (his grandfather), who died recently. Sami’s grandmother sends him one of Dede’s ties, and Sami vows to never take it off.

After going to the mosque for Eid prayer, Sami’s family stop at the shelter where Baba and Anne volunteer. Can an unexpected encounter and a special gift help Sami change his mind about celebrating?

The gift of giving and putting yourself in someone else's shoes shines through in this engaging, poignant holiday story.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Friendship, Muslims, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

Of Uzbek heritage, M.O. Yuksel was born in Türkiye, raised in New York, and now lives in New Jersey with her family and two cats. A graduate of Columbia University and Fordham University, she writes books for young readers when she’s not on the soccer field cheering for her kids. She’s on the board of the Muslim Literary Festival, served as a juror for the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, and is a member of the planning committee and a mentor for the Highlights Foundation Muslim Writers Fellowship Program.

M.O. Yuksel is the author of the critically acclaimed picture book, IN MY MOSQUE, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 2021). In a starred review by School Library Journal, IN MY MOSQUE has been described as, “[a] marvelous, welcoming book…offering foundational knowledge on the world’s second-largest religion”, and Publisher’s Weekly in a starred review states, “a range of children’s mosque experiences will engage new learners and resonate with those already familiar”. IN MY MOSQUE has won several awards including an American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, the 2022 Notable Books for a Global Society Award, 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, Texas Library Association Texas Topaz 2022 Nonfiction Gem Award, and has been named the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of 2021.

M.O. Yuksel is also the author of ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi (HarperCollins, 2022), which has been described as, “a beautiful new biography,” in a starred review by School Library Journal, and “an inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge,” by Kirkus Reviews. ONE WISH is an Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a National Council of Social Studies and Children’s Book Council Notable Book, School Library Journal, Nerdy Book Club Best Nonfiction Book, and Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

Her most recent books include RAMADAN KAREEM, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 2024), and SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story, illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay (Charlesbridge, 2024).

A Bank Street Best Book of the Year, Ramadan Kareem has garnered two starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal. Booklist calls Ramadan Kareem, “an exceptionally warm and illuminating celebration,” and School Library Journal notes that “this book reflects the diversity in Muslim communities around the world while uplifting the shared principles of the holy month of Ramadan.”

School Library Journal, in their starred review, describes SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT as, “A gift to all readers! Readers who celebrate Eid al-Adha will enjoy seeing their annual tradition, while readers who do not practice Islam will get a peek into a modern way to celebrate an ancient holiday. Adults will love to use this story as a model to broach conversations about traditions, as well as deeper themes of loss, philanthropy, and homelessness. An easy recommendation for all libraries. Add it to elementary and high school shelves.”

Yuksel’s highly anticipated forthcoming book includes THE PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia (HarperCollins, 2025). In a Kirkus starred review, the biography is described as, “A luminous tribute to a notable figure that’s sure to satisfy—and inspire—inquisitive minds.”

Learn more about Yuksel and her books at www.moyuksel.com

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eid Al-Adha is a time for gifting with charity, gratitude, and sharing. It is a Festival of sacrifice in which often a cut of lamb from the butcher given a third each to the poor, friends, family. There is a simple glossary at the end. This is a story of giving by one small boy in the Middle East.
The illustrations by HÜSEYIN SÖNMEZAY are clear, imaginative, colorful, and representative.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, hospital, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 16 Apr 2024
#Asian and AAPI Stories #Islam #Holiday #EidAlAdha

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me tear up a bit.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving story about kindness and about grief. This is excellent to share with readers who want to know more about Eid al-Adha or who are looking for great stories.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sami is inspired to give away something very special to him out of sympathy for another child’s difficult situation. Sweet but not genuinely special. Recommended.

[Reem Faruqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was so excited to get my hands on
SAMI'S SPECIAL GIFT 🎁 by @moyuksel.author and @huseyinsonmezay is indeed a special gift! This book is about Eid ul Adha: I noticed there's a plethora of books about Eid ul Fitr, but when it comes to this special Eid, I don't notice many at all! Correct me if I'm wrong!

This book reminds me of BEST EID EVER by Asma Mobin Uddin, another beautiful picture book that I loved about giving that took place on Eid ul Adha.

This story follows sweet Sami, who feels like Eid will never be the same. Dede, his beloved grandfather, is no longer with him. Luckily for Sami, Nene sends an Eid package with a special tie 👔 that Dede used to wear. Sami's spirits lift, and he indeed has a joyful Eid full of delicious food and family.

Notably, I loved how this story touches on the MEANING behind this special Eid: it touches on gratitude and sacrifice, and most importantly, giving. Isn't that what Eid is all about?🌛

Sami would make Dede proud by his giving nature, especially after he meets a boy in need and realizes the true meaning of Eid.💙 ( I don't want to give this sweet story away! Please read it yourself!)

Educators like myself will appreciate the glossary for Turkish words as well as the insightful author's note that touches on gratitude, sacrifice, and interfaith.

@sljournal gave this special story a starred 🌟review, which does not come as a surprise to me. The charming illustrations by @huseyinsonmezay
are warm and inviting, and @moyuksel.author 's words are in her signature style and flow smoothly and are saturated with emotion.

I urge not only our young readers to get their hands on it, but older readers and well, and especially librarians and educators should stock their shelves with this one.

Eid-ul-Adha is predicted Friday and this book would be the perfect gift. Eid Mubarak!

#bookstagram #bookreview #books #kidlit

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the layering in SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT, its full-hearted arc, and all the darling art which brings this picture book to delightful life. What a wonderful read!

[Kirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet 32 page story, blends themes of loss, grief, giving, homelessness, Islam, Eid al Adha, and joy with simple early reader level text and beautiful illustrations. The book never gets preachy and doesn't other, making it a great addition to all shelves, everywhere. There is information about Eid al Adha and what a homeless shelter is in the backmatter along with a glossary that explains, Islamic and Turkish terms.

Sami loves Eid and celebrating at the carnival with Dede, his grandfather, but this year, Dede is not there, and Sami is sad. When a package from Nene arrives from Turkiye with Dede's favorite sheep decorated Eid tie for Sami, things start to look up. Sami never wants to take it off, and even wears it over his new Eid clothes as they head to the mosque for prayers. After salat and before the carnival, the family visits a local butcher and picks up meat to take to the homeless shelter.

Sami has never been to a homeless shelter and has only heard of his parents going and helping there. He asks his parents about it on their way and once they arrive heads off to play ball with a boy, as his sister shares her doll with a little girl. When it is time to leave for the carnival, Sami imagines what the his life would be like if he lost his home and belongings, and makes a decision, knowing exactly what his Dede would do.

I love how the book weaves in information about Islam by having the family praying, listening to the imam, wearing new clothes, and giving in charity, without pulling out of the story. Same for the Turkish cultural inclusions of food and words. I also like that in the illustrations the mom wears hijab when out of the house, but not inside. It all comes together smoothly and is unapologetic, even while handling the sadness of his grandfather no longer being with him, the empathy at the homeless shelter, and joy at the carnival.

My only concern is when it says both in the text and in the backmatter that meat is given: one third to friends, one third to family and one third to the poor. I don't know that it is wrong, but to clarify you keep one third for yourself (and family), and distribute one third to friends, and one third to the poor. Additionally, I also know a lot of people might not love the illustration style, but the picture of them in the mosque, won me over.

[Shifa Safadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dhul-Hijjah is upon us and this beautiful book encapsulates this month’s essence of good deeds and sacrifice❤️

Sami is excited for Eid Al-Adha and he’s going to wear his grandfather’s lamb tie to the Masjid for Eid Salat. On the way to drop Udhiyah off at the shelter, Sami meets a kid who lost everything. And Sami realizes the true happiness of Eid comes from giving.

What a sweet story. I loved how it included the important Eid day rituals like Salat, the Udhiyah and how its shared three ways, and generosity/good deeds. The backmatter is quite informative for teaching kids about Eid Al-adha and how it originates with Prophet Ibrahim (as) and his son.

I also loved the idea of a Eid Al-Adha book centering on doing good!
It reminded me of this beautiful hadith:
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “No good deeds can be done at a time better than these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.”

The cute lambs everywhere were an adorable touch (without any actual lamb udhiyah scenes thankfully- my heart can’t handle it😅).

I also super loved the Turkiye rep- the words and cultural tidbits, as well as the art, pay homage to this heritage in a lovely way.

A sweet and beautiful book ( and I think the first Eid AlAdha mainstream book) and one def worth a purchase!

#eidaladha #eid #eidbooks #muslim #islam

[E.G. Alaraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sami can't imagine celebrating Eid without Dede (Grandfather), until a special gift from Istanbul, Turkiye arrives in the mail. It is the tie that Dede always wore on Eid al-Adha. Feeling comforted and connected to his grandfather, Sami participates in the festivities of the day and looks forward to his favourite one, a family outing to the carnival. But along with celebration comes spiritual obligation. Sami learns about the charitable traditions that structure the holiday and decides to give his very special gift to someone else.

This is a touching story with softly-coloured, detailed illustrations. Holidays can lose their enchantment when loved ones have passed away. For this reason, any child who is adapting to loss in moments of celebration will relate to Sami. While the text introduces Turkish words and culture, the majority of Muslim children will see their own families and communities in the images and events.

Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an advanced reading copy of this special gift.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book about Eid al-Adha. An excellent book about the meaning of this Eid without delving too much into the religious background. Great for younger kids and for those who know nothing about this Eid. Brings the current events into the story by the family going to a shelter. The illustrations are bold, bright and full of emotion. The author includes a one page history lesson on what Eid al-Adha is (the religious background is here), a few lines on what a shelter is, and a short glossary of the Turkish words used in the book.

[Safa · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.O. Yuksel and Huseyin Sonmezay create a beautiful story about Eid Al Adha and invite us to learn about its meaning through the delightful Sami. Highly recommend for teachers and classrooms everywhere!

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his Dede (Grandpa) dies, Sami isn't sure about celebrating Eid. But one of Dede's ties sent from Nene (grandma) changes his perspective. We follow Sami through Eid learning about the holiday including the sharing of meat with the poor. Sami makes his own important decision to share more.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a read aloud about Eid al Adha, this story about Sami and his family will work. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could've used a little more explanation on the new words.