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Upside-Down Iftar
Come celebrate Ramadan with Malak and her family in this delicious picture book!
Malak can’t wait to help her grandmother make iftar for their family. But when they decide to make makloubeh, everyone has a favorite ingredient to add, and Malak isn’t sure how they’ll fit it all in! This iftar is sure to be one to remember!
Packed with warm, vibrant illustrations and the beautiful chaos of a bustling kitchen, Upside Down Iftar is a heartwarming celebration of family, food, and culture.
Malak can’t wait to help her grandmother make iftar for their family. But when they decide to make makloubeh, everyone has a favorite ingredient to add, and Malak isn’t sure how they’ll fit it all in! This iftar is sure to be one to remember!
Packed with warm, vibrant illustrations and the beautiful chaos of a bustling kitchen, Upside Down Iftar is a heartwarming celebration of family, food, and culture.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 12, 2026
A lovely story of family, tradition, and creativity, as Malak and her Teta prepare iftar for their fasting family, creatively incorporating everyone's favorites into the makloubeh they cook. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed, full of Palestinian imagery.
Themes: Ramadan, Family, Cooking, Grandma
Age range: Preschool-Early elementary
Themes: Ramadan, Family, Cooking, Grandma
Age range: Preschool-Early elementary
March 14, 2026
Not usually a fan of digital art, but the details and vibrancy of this book won me over! I dont love how Teta's symptoms are never addressed while they are making iftar, but a sweet story nonetheless. I also like how it is a story about Ramadan versus vibes; it read as very authentic to me, almost slice of life during this time.
January 26, 2026
Impeccable storytelling by a gifted storyteller.
The story is engaging, mesmerizing even! It’s a Ramadan story that can be read year round by everyone. It is a celebration of intergenerational care and culture. It makes for a wonderful read aloud.
I’m especially enamored by the uniquely dynamic illustrations.
Highly recommend!
The story is engaging, mesmerizing even! It’s a Ramadan story that can be read year round by everyone. It is a celebration of intergenerational care and culture. It makes for a wonderful read aloud.
I’m especially enamored by the uniquely dynamic illustrations.
Highly recommend!
April 28, 2026
The pictures are lovely in this book, and the concept is great, showing a family celebrating a part of Ramadan. The plot of the story is cute with everyone wanting their favorite item in the stew(?) soup(?). There are not enough children's books about Muslim holidays, especially since it's the second largest religion in the world by far. People need to learn about other cultures, and kids find it fun to learn new things to tell other people.
But nothing is explained at all so the book doesn't make much sense. The majority of English speaking kids don't know anything about Ramadan, at least here in North America and I doubt they do in England and Australia, either. I looked through the book twice and as far as I could see, the word Ramadan was said exactly once and on the first page. Iftar wasn't explained at all. There are a lot of books like this where a holiday is being presented but they usually explain it at least a little like "Zaina came in and said, 'I'm so hungry, I can't wait for sundown.'"
On the first page the girl takes a glass of water to her grandmother to take her medicine, then the woman goes back to bed (surprising the girl, but this is never addressed) and on the second page it says, "This was the first year in Malak's whole life that Teta was not fasting, because of her new medicine. [When does it say anything about her fasting?] Suddenly Malak had a wonderful idea."
The next page says, "Upside Down!"
Later they turn the food upside down and it seems like it's a new and wonderful and weird thing. But in the afterword, the author explains that the dish is turned upside down before serving.
Back to the page after "upside down" the girl says, "Teta, since we can't fast..." I thought the grandmother is in bed? Why can't the rest of them fast? Just because the grandmother can't? She has to take it with food so she could have a small meal and no one else would have to eat. But wait, in the beginning she took it without food.
So she says they should cook together then when asked what to make, the girl thinks about it before coming up with the upside down dish. Hadn't she already decided that? If she hadn't, what was her great idea? And how is them eating that dish a "great idea"?
The book continues with people coming in and asking what's for Iftar. Although I know Iftar is served after sundown, most readers won't. So why would everyone wonder what was for a meal when they were supposed to be fasting? Making this meal was supposed to be in response to them not being able to fast.
Much of the family isn't even around when the grandmother and girl are making the food, so what does Iftar have to do with the fasting? And why was the upside down thing relevant? And why was it presented like it was shocking that the whole thing was turned over?
Then the grandmother took her medicine with the food. Why couldn't she fast during the day then? She could take her medicine with food before sunup (since she goes back to bed anyway--and she didn't even take it with food) and then after sunset take it with Iftar.
And as described, what a mess it would make when turned upside down. There's a broth and nothing in it that would hold it together. That's not explained either. After reading the recipe, I still don't know what holds it together.
The recipe for the author's favorite version of the dish is at the end and I would love to try it, although it has so many flavors, I am not sure how they go together. It sounds long and complicated so I need have someone else make it for me. :) I'm impressed with people who can and want to cook something so complicated!
But nothing is explained at all so the book doesn't make much sense. The majority of English speaking kids don't know anything about Ramadan, at least here in North America and I doubt they do in England and Australia, either. I looked through the book twice and as far as I could see, the word Ramadan was said exactly once and on the first page. Iftar wasn't explained at all. There are a lot of books like this where a holiday is being presented but they usually explain it at least a little like "Zaina came in and said, 'I'm so hungry, I can't wait for sundown.'"
On the first page the girl takes a glass of water to her grandmother to take her medicine, then the woman goes back to bed (surprising the girl, but this is never addressed) and on the second page it says, "This was the first year in Malak's whole life that Teta was not fasting, because of her new medicine. [When does it say anything about her fasting?] Suddenly Malak had a wonderful idea."
The next page says, "Upside Down!"
Later they turn the food upside down and it seems like it's a new and wonderful and weird thing. But in the afterword, the author explains that the dish is turned upside down before serving.
Back to the page after "upside down" the girl says, "Teta, since we can't fast..." I thought the grandmother is in bed? Why can't the rest of them fast? Just because the grandmother can't? She has to take it with food so she could have a small meal and no one else would have to eat. But wait, in the beginning she took it without food.
So she says they should cook together then when asked what to make, the girl thinks about it before coming up with the upside down dish. Hadn't she already decided that? If she hadn't, what was her great idea? And how is them eating that dish a "great idea"?
The book continues with people coming in and asking what's for Iftar. Although I know Iftar is served after sundown, most readers won't. So why would everyone wonder what was for a meal when they were supposed to be fasting? Making this meal was supposed to be in response to them not being able to fast.
Much of the family isn't even around when the grandmother and girl are making the food, so what does Iftar have to do with the fasting? And why was the upside down thing relevant? And why was it presented like it was shocking that the whole thing was turned over?
Then the grandmother took her medicine with the food. Why couldn't she fast during the day then? She could take her medicine with food before sunup (since she goes back to bed anyway--and she didn't even take it with food) and then after sunset take it with Iftar.
And as described, what a mess it would make when turned upside down. There's a broth and nothing in it that would hold it together. That's not explained either. After reading the recipe, I still don't know what holds it together.
The recipe for the author's favorite version of the dish is at the end and I would love to try it, although it has so many flavors, I am not sure how they go together. It sounds long and complicated so I need have someone else make it for me. :) I'm impressed with people who can and want to cook something so complicated!
January 8, 2026
This 32 page picture book is beautifully illustrated and set in Ramadan with the premise being Teta can't fast because of a new medication she is on, so Malak, who is also not fasting, and her are going to make makloubeh for iftar. From there the story follows most food centered books with everyone adding their favorites until the iftar meal is one of a kind and brings the family together. The Palestinian rep in the illustrations, and the mention of asr and maghrib salat, along with the refrain of "inshallah" and Arabic phrases threaded throughout make for a joyful read any time of the year. Unfortunately the first page was hard for me to get past. Why is Mama staying "up late singing prayers in her closet" a sign for the little girl that it is Ramadan? Why is she singing prayers? Why is she in a closet? Alhumdulillah, the rest of the story was less awkward and I love that it highlights that sometimes ailments and medications make fasting not possible. The messaging that every family is unique, just like makloubeh is relatable and easy for kids to grasp as well. The backmatter contains a recipe, the dust jacket slips off to show a vertical filling of the pot with "everything Makloubeh" and the detailed illustrations will both introduce some kids to the popular dish, and celebrate a favorite familiar meal for others.
The book starts with the moon smiling her Cheshire cat smile and Ramadan beginning. This is the first year that Teta is not fasting, and Malak decides she will have Teta teach her how to make iftar, but not just any iftar, upside down Makloubeh!
It starts out with Teta explaining the process and getting started, but then Jido comes in and wants eggplant added. Then khalo sneaks in to let them know that he likes potatoes in his. When Mama gets home from work with cauliflower, she is swept off to pray asr, and Malak decides she wants to add her favorite to the mix.
When Maghrib athan time comes, the big reveal, the flip, and then the first bites take place, revealing a "makloubeh with a little bit of everything." A dish so yummy that Teta and Malak might be making iftar every night.
The book starts with the moon smiling her Cheshire cat smile and Ramadan beginning. This is the first year that Teta is not fasting, and Malak decides she will have Teta teach her how to make iftar, but not just any iftar, upside down Makloubeh!
It starts out with Teta explaining the process and getting started, but then Jido comes in and wants eggplant added. Then khalo sneaks in to let them know that he likes potatoes in his. When Mama gets home from work with cauliflower, she is swept off to pray asr, and Malak decides she wants to add her favorite to the mix.
When Maghrib athan time comes, the big reveal, the flip, and then the first bites take place, revealing a "makloubeh with a little bit of everything." A dish so yummy that Teta and Malak might be making iftar every night.
February 14, 2026
It's Ramadan and suddenly there are too many chefs in the kitchen. Luckily there's a Palestinian dish that can adapt to everyone's tastes. The one and only MAQLOUBA!!! Inshallah....
This delightful tale, set during Ramadan, has a lot of underlying humour that flips to the top if you’ve had the good fortune of being part of a Palestinian family. Cooking at the bottom of the plot is Teta’s psychological angst over a growing list of ingredients. As a quintessential Palestinian grandmother, she has oodles of patience for the time and effort that will go into making this beloved dish for the family, but Teta’s persistent “Inshallah” carries the subtlety of a purist’s side-eye against too many innovations. Teta is trying not to faint, her grief not caused by age or medicine. Her granddaughter Malak’s excitement seems to be the only thing keeping Teta on her feet.
As the author, Maysa Odeh, mentions in the back-matter of the story, some purists “consider it a travesty to incorporate more than one vegetable.” Backmatter also includes a recipe, cooking instructions, and suggestions for garnishes.
Illustrations are as warm and inviting as this family-oriented story of a beloved Palestinian dish. Rich in decorative detail, like a hand-sewn tatreez garment, Nadine Issa stitches together the colours, textures, and patterns that embody Palestinian love for home and family. Wherever readers cast their eyes, there is beauty and adornment, richness and warmth that naturally coalesce when hands and minds are guided by the heart.
A perfect blend of artwork and storytelling, sure to top bookseller lists during Ramadan.
For the full blogpost and other star-studded reviews checkout www.fivestarbooks.ca
This delightful tale, set during Ramadan, has a lot of underlying humour that flips to the top if you’ve had the good fortune of being part of a Palestinian family. Cooking at the bottom of the plot is Teta’s psychological angst over a growing list of ingredients. As a quintessential Palestinian grandmother, she has oodles of patience for the time and effort that will go into making this beloved dish for the family, but Teta’s persistent “Inshallah” carries the subtlety of a purist’s side-eye against too many innovations. Teta is trying not to faint, her grief not caused by age or medicine. Her granddaughter Malak’s excitement seems to be the only thing keeping Teta on her feet.
As the author, Maysa Odeh, mentions in the back-matter of the story, some purists “consider it a travesty to incorporate more than one vegetable.” Backmatter also includes a recipe, cooking instructions, and suggestions for garnishes.
Illustrations are as warm and inviting as this family-oriented story of a beloved Palestinian dish. Rich in decorative detail, like a hand-sewn tatreez garment, Nadine Issa stitches together the colours, textures, and patterns that embody Palestinian love for home and family. Wherever readers cast their eyes, there is beauty and adornment, richness and warmth that naturally coalesce when hands and minds are guided by the heart.
A perfect blend of artwork and storytelling, sure to top bookseller lists during Ramadan.
For the full blogpost and other star-studded reviews checkout www.fivestarbooks.ca
March 11, 2026
I really loved Maysa Odeh's book "A Map for Falasteen" and was looking forward to her new Ramadan book, "Upside-down Iftar."
The illustrations are cute and rich in detail, but I found the story itself to be a little thin - just another food-oriented Ramadan book without meaningful incorporation of Islam (though there is reference to salah and Teta not being able to fast bc of her medication). There was also an odd line about Mama "singing prayers in her closet" which... why the closet? I am confusion.
It's mostly a story about family and food, and I guess there's a place for those stories too. I do wish there had been more meaningful Islam throughout, as well as a stronger sense of plot/ conflict. It's cute, a little long to get through, but the pictures kept me going!
I loved the Palestinian representation on every page, and I feel a distinct craving for maqlubah after having read this book :D
The illustrations are cute and rich in detail, but I found the story itself to be a little thin - just another food-oriented Ramadan book without meaningful incorporation of Islam (though there is reference to salah and Teta not being able to fast bc of her medication). There was also an odd line about Mama "singing prayers in her closet" which... why the closet? I am confusion.
It's mostly a story about family and food, and I guess there's a place for those stories too. I do wish there had been more meaningful Islam throughout, as well as a stronger sense of plot/ conflict. It's cute, a little long to get through, but the pictures kept me going!
I loved the Palestinian representation on every page, and I feel a distinct craving for maqlubah after having read this book :D
April 5, 2026
I do not have a book in my collection where Iftar is mentioned, so this book draw my attention from the title. It is a story about a young child cooking with her grandmother and creating a favorite dish: makloubeh. I love the family warmth, the joy, the excitement for this tradional meal, and the turned page as the dish is turned upside down on the serving plate. Illustrations and text work well together and the inclusion of a recipe topped this off as a book I want to add to my collection.
I will be talking to my students to be certain there is a need for the story, but I suspect it will be welcomed. (My students love books with recipes where they can learn more cultural dishes to try themselves.)
I will be talking to my students to be certain there is a need for the story, but I suspect it will be welcomed. (My students love books with recipes where they can learn more cultural dishes to try themselves.)
April 11, 2026
Makloubeh is a Palestinian dinner treat that is made - upside-down! And tonight Malak and her grandma are going to make the yummy dish as a special treat to break their Ramadan fast. But everyone in the family has different ideas of what are needed ingredients to make makloubeh. Carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, potatoes, meat, tomatoes- will the mountain of food all fit in the pot? Turns out Teta has a larger pot is big enough to accommodate it all, along with spices, raisins and hummus. A recipe for makloubeh is included for hungry readers to try after reading the book. This is a boisterous, fun read for Ramadan, but educators might also include this tale when studying foods from various cultures, or when teaching the importance of following instructions or recipes to make something.
February 11, 2026
I absolutely love a Ramadan story! Little Malak takes us into her home, as we meet her extended Palestinian family. Malak's grandmother or "Teta" plans dinner or "iftar" during one of the nights of the holy month of Ramadan. Everyone requests their favorite ingredients for the large delicious makloubeh...planning dinner is such an interactive and exciting experience, which illustrator Nadine Issa captured so well! The story shows us that Ramadan is so much more than a month of fasting, as this loving and empathetic family all gathers 'round the table in gratitude for their "upside down" meal!
February 27, 2026
At this point. I'm convinced that I'll read anything by Maya Odeh.
I've learned so much about makloubeh in the past couple of years from various Palestinian creators. It is absolutely wonderful to see it in picture book format celebrating Ramadan and Palestinian culture and traditions. Odeh beautifully explores the relationship between Malak and her grandmother while also showcasing the many items that can be included in makloubeh. It's a picture book steeped in tradition, culture, and family. Nadine Issa knocks it out the park with her beautiful illustrations that are so rich in vibrant colors.
If you haven't had the chance to read this one yet, I highly recommend it!
I've learned so much about makloubeh in the past couple of years from various Palestinian creators. It is absolutely wonderful to see it in picture book format celebrating Ramadan and Palestinian culture and traditions. Odeh beautifully explores the relationship between Malak and her grandmother while also showcasing the many items that can be included in makloubeh. It's a picture book steeped in tradition, culture, and family. Nadine Issa knocks it out the park with her beautiful illustrations that are so rich in vibrant colors.
If you haven't had the chance to read this one yet, I highly recommend it!
March 14, 2026
Readers join Malak as she helps her grandmother prepare and cook Makloubeh for their Ramadan Iftar meal. Every family member brings a favorite to add to the dish. I love the scene where the pot is turned over and it is served upside down. The love and nurture of family comes through clearly. Malak hints at the change for her grandmother who can no longer fast due to her medicine. They both channel this into cooking and creating.
February 4, 2026
This is a fun book about family and food. Everyone adding their idea of the perfect holiday meal reminded me of the Friend's Thanksgiving episode with different potatoes.
I especially liked the beautiful Palestinian dresses Teta and Malak's mom wore.
Happy Ramadan! 🍉
Thank you Macmillan for the hard copy!
I especially liked the beautiful Palestinian dresses Teta and Malak's mom wore.
Happy Ramadan! 🍉
Thank you Macmillan for the hard copy!
May 27, 2026
A sweet picture of a family during Ramadan, especially showing the ways of participating of kids and older folks who aren't fasting. I don't think the tension of the story quite played out as intended.
January 6, 2026
Adorable story and illustrations of a story about little Malak wanting to help make makloubeh for Ramadan!
February 8, 2026
A food and family focused picture book set at Ramadan. Includes a recipe in the back.
February 25, 2026
Lovely illustrations for a classic children's story of preparing the Iftar meal. Emphasis on honoring the elders and family, which I always appreciate reading.
February 26, 2026
This story also includes a recipe for, "Upside-Down" recipe for making Makloubeh.
March 30, 2026
Read to me several times. Loved the pictures and story about the food and how everyone in the family wanted to add something to the dish.
There's a recipe for Makloubeh at the end of the story.
There's a recipe for Makloubeh at the end of the story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews