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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.
- GenresPicture BooksHolidayFood
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2026
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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
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!
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!
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!
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
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.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews