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Celebrate the World
Ramadan
Learn all about the traditions of Ramadan with this first book in the brand-new board book series Celebrate the World, which highlights celebrations across the globe.
In the ninth month of the year, when the first crescent moon rises in the sky, it’s time to celebrate Ramadan! In this lovely board book with illustrations from Rashin Kheiriyeh, readers learn that Ramadan is a time to reflect on ourselves, to be thankful, and a time to help others.
In the ninth month of the year, when the first crescent moon rises in the sky, it’s time to celebrate Ramadan! In this lovely board book with illustrations from Rashin Kheiriyeh, readers learn that Ramadan is a time to reflect on ourselves, to be thankful, and a time to help others.
24 pages, Board Book
Published April 3, 2018
5 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Eliot
81 books23 followersHannah Eliot is a children’s book editor who lives in Manhattan, New York. Her favorite activities include editing (of course), writing, painting, and doodling all over every piece of notebook paper she uses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 22, 2023
"In the ninth month of the year, when the crescent moon first appears in the sky, it's time to celebrate Ramadan!"
This is a beautifully illustrated and sturdy board book about Ramadan. It's made by a mainstream publisher as a series of books on celebrations around the world. You can really tell it's written by a non-Muslim. I'm wondering if a Muslim was even involved in the writing at all.
It talks about Ramadan and what is done during, all in the first person plural ('we'). I like that it mentions it as a time to reflect, be thankful, pray, spend time with family and do other good deeds. It also mentions how people still go to work and school during the month. It ends talking about Eid and how the lessons of Ramadan are kept with us throughout the year.
The illustrations are cute, bright, busy and a little whimsical. The pictures show Muslims of different backgrounds practicing inside and outside the home. There's lots of exotic looking clothing but some more Western scenes too.
Those are the things I liked about the book. Unfortunately, there was plenty I didn't. I actually gave our copy away.
I feel the author made an attempt to convey the true meaning of Ramadan and succeeded in some aspects. It talks about reflecting on oneself, praying and then other good deeds. However it was all so hollow without any single mention of Allah (God). Even when speaking of being thankful it says it helps us to appreciate how 'lucky' we are. We're not just randomly lucky, we're blessed by a divine being! I also didn't like that nearly every single hijab in this book is with the woman's hair showing at the front (and often flowing from the back too). One or two would be fine but all of them? Even when they pray?
Secondly, there are some inaccuracies in the book that could so easily have been fixed. My least favourite of all of them relates to my first point above. The book says "We fast because we know that there are many people who are less fortunate than us. We appreciate how lucky we are." That is not why we fast. If that was the case, poor people wouldn't be obligated to. They already know how it feels to be hungry. We fast because Allah commanded us to. This is a wisdom in fasting but not why we do it. About Eid, the book says "which is also called the 'sweet festival'" I found this very strange. I'm sure people do call it that but it's certainly not the norm. I've personally never heard that before. The book also states that we eat and pray and give gifts for the next three days. Eid ul Fitr technically isn't 3 days. But even many people celebrate it as such, why is it mentioned we pray? We pray every day, all year round. There's no special prayers for the 2nd and 3rd of Shawwal. A more minor issue but Suhoor was described as "a big meal" where we "fill our bellies with foods that will give us energy all day." I understand most people do that, but again, that's not what suhoor is.
A major inaccuracy in the illustrations is picture of a woman praying next to (but slightly in front of) a man. I also wanted to mention something other reviewers were bothered by, and that's a picture of a family having suhoor together with a dog under the table. Really abnormal Muslim behaviour. I'm sure there are Muslims who have done that but really not a representitive picture. Most Muslims who have dogs keep them outside (for purity and prayer reasons).
So yeah, this book could have been great but I really do wish they'd consulted with someone of knowledge before or during publishing. If there was just one or two issues, it could easily be brushed off but there are just too many. I don't recommend this book for a Muslim family.
This is a beautifully illustrated and sturdy board book about Ramadan. It's made by a mainstream publisher as a series of books on celebrations around the world. You can really tell it's written by a non-Muslim. I'm wondering if a Muslim was even involved in the writing at all.
It talks about Ramadan and what is done during, all in the first person plural ('we'). I like that it mentions it as a time to reflect, be thankful, pray, spend time with family and do other good deeds. It also mentions how people still go to work and school during the month. It ends talking about Eid and how the lessons of Ramadan are kept with us throughout the year.
The illustrations are cute, bright, busy and a little whimsical. The pictures show Muslims of different backgrounds practicing inside and outside the home. There's lots of exotic looking clothing but some more Western scenes too.
Those are the things I liked about the book. Unfortunately, there was plenty I didn't. I actually gave our copy away.
I feel the author made an attempt to convey the true meaning of Ramadan and succeeded in some aspects. It talks about reflecting on oneself, praying and then other good deeds. However it was all so hollow without any single mention of Allah (God). Even when speaking of being thankful it says it helps us to appreciate how 'lucky' we are. We're not just randomly lucky, we're blessed by a divine being! I also didn't like that nearly every single hijab in this book is with the woman's hair showing at the front (and often flowing from the back too). One or two would be fine but all of them? Even when they pray?
Secondly, there are some inaccuracies in the book that could so easily have been fixed. My least favourite of all of them relates to my first point above. The book says "We fast because we know that there are many people who are less fortunate than us. We appreciate how lucky we are." That is not why we fast. If that was the case, poor people wouldn't be obligated to. They already know how it feels to be hungry. We fast because Allah commanded us to. This is a wisdom in fasting but not why we do it. About Eid, the book says "which is also called the 'sweet festival'" I found this very strange. I'm sure people do call it that but it's certainly not the norm. I've personally never heard that before. The book also states that we eat and pray and give gifts for the next three days. Eid ul Fitr technically isn't 3 days. But even many people celebrate it as such, why is it mentioned we pray? We pray every day, all year round. There's no special prayers for the 2nd and 3rd of Shawwal. A more minor issue but Suhoor was described as "a big meal" where we "fill our bellies with foods that will give us energy all day." I understand most people do that, but again, that's not what suhoor is.
A major inaccuracy in the illustrations is picture of a woman praying next to (but slightly in front of) a man. I also wanted to mention something other reviewers were bothered by, and that's a picture of a family having suhoor together with a dog under the table. Really abnormal Muslim behaviour. I'm sure there are Muslims who have done that but really not a representitive picture. Most Muslims who have dogs keep them outside (for purity and prayer reasons).
So yeah, this book could have been great but I really do wish they'd consulted with someone of knowledge before or during publishing. If there was just one or two issues, it could easily be brushed off but there are just too many. I don't recommend this book for a Muslim family.
May 3, 2018
A beautifully illustrated board book about Ramadan came out in April just in time for Ramadan. The 24 pages tell basic facts about Ramadan, introduce readers to Arabic vocabulary of suhoor, iftar and Eid al Fitr, and conveys concepts about fasting. It explains that Ramadan is praying, and family, and helping others. It never strays from appealing to toddlers and preschoolers, which makes the book a great choice for little ones.
I wish that it included something about Allah, or the Quran, but it doesn't and as its a Simon and Schuster published book it is probably intentional as to keep it open to both Muslim and non Muslim children. The month is referred to as a special month, but doesn't tell why it is special other than it being a time to fast. It says we fast to know how the poor feel and to appreciate what we have. There is nothing about religion mentioned out right, the words Islam and M cccuslims don't even appear in the book.
I love that it mentions that while we are fasting we still go to work and school. And I love that it mentions Eid as a time of gifts and sweets and praying. The main take-a-ways of the book are that Ramadan is a special time of year of praying, loving our family, and giving back to others, while it explains going without food and drink, it doesn't overly dwell on it.
The pictures are busy and colorful and detailed and wonderful. They show diversity of color, age, ethnicity, body shape and are full of smiling warm faces. There are animals in nearly every picture and they really are whimsical yet bold enough, to hold readers' attention over and over and over again.
I wish that it included something about Allah, or the Quran, but it doesn't and as its a Simon and Schuster published book it is probably intentional as to keep it open to both Muslim and non Muslim children. The month is referred to as a special month, but doesn't tell why it is special other than it being a time to fast. It says we fast to know how the poor feel and to appreciate what we have. There is nothing about religion mentioned out right, the words Islam and M cccuslims don't even appear in the book.
I love that it mentions that while we are fasting we still go to work and school. And I love that it mentions Eid as a time of gifts and sweets and praying. The main take-a-ways of the book are that Ramadan is a special time of year of praying, loving our family, and giving back to others, while it explains going without food and drink, it doesn't overly dwell on it.
The pictures are busy and colorful and detailed and wonderful. They show diversity of color, age, ethnicity, body shape and are full of smiling warm faces. There are animals in nearly every picture and they really are whimsical yet bold enough, to hold readers' attention over and over and over again.
May 3, 2020
Very cute!
April 14, 2018
Sweet book but why is it a board book? Does not seem like it’s written for our youngest children. I love the illustrations and look forward to seeing more from Rashin Kheiriyeh.
February 25, 2020
A beautifully illustrated board book about Ramadan
January 7, 2022
Child level introduction to the Muslim time of Ramadan.
November 9, 2019
Ramadan: Celebrate the World Series by Hannah Eliot Illustrated by Rashin. Board Book. Simon & Schuster, 2018. $9. 9781534406360
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Eliot and Rashin do a great job explaining the significance and events associated with Ramadan. In this easy to read board book readers can learn details about this religious celebration including proper names for feasts, etc. The end of the book states: “Ramadan may be over, but we will remember what it taught us. We will remember to love our family, pray and give back to others all throughout the year.”
The colors are bright and fun. The illustrations are detailed and give a sense of warmth and love. In this simple board book much can be learned about this culture and the importance of celebrating this religious family event. This book could be used to help teach about cultures and celebrations around the world.
Reviewer: SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Eliot and Rashin do a great job explaining the significance and events associated with Ramadan. In this easy to read board book readers can learn details about this religious celebration including proper names for feasts, etc. The end of the book states: “Ramadan may be over, but we will remember what it taught us. We will remember to love our family, pray and give back to others all throughout the year.”
The colors are bright and fun. The illustrations are detailed and give a sense of warmth and love. In this simple board book much can be learned about this culture and the importance of celebrating this religious family event. This book could be used to help teach about cultures and celebrations around the world.
Reviewer: SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
June 21, 2018
Ramadan (early readers book for children) is an excellent way to help your little one understands Ramadan & it's meaning. Ramadan is the 9th month out of the lunar calendar & it is a time in which Muslims fast from dawn till dusk to remind themselves of how others in the world live & to realize & be grateful for how lucky they are. It is a time for self reflection, prayer & family. When the sun goes down they have a mean called Iftar which is the first meal of the day that breaks the fast. Later in the night families will gather for Sahoor (supper) that is filled with delicious food to help them fast for the next day. When the cresent moon is in the sky Ramadan is over & Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr or the "sweet festival" in which families come together over a grand feast & celebrate. Excellent book to introduce your little ones into your Ramadan holiday or to introduce non-muslim children to Ramadan to encourage a sense of tolerance & understanding.
November 4, 2018
A couple of weeks ago, I was driving in the car with our son when the folks on NPR were discussing Ramadan. Our son said from the backseat, "Ramadan! I have that book." I counted that as parenting success--our son loves his book, is listening to the radio, and is learning interfaith and multicultural appreciation.
We ordered this book after one it its series on Dia de los Muertos was given to our son as a gift. This series is about holidays from around the world. The pictures are pretty and engaging and the text is a helpful introduction for young children.
We ordered this book after one it its series on Dia de los Muertos was given to our son as a gift. This series is about holidays from around the world. The pictures are pretty and engaging and the text is a helpful introduction for young children.
April 15, 2018
Love that this series is going to be taken a look at celebrations around the world.
This is a board book - I wonder if it would make sense for them to simultaneously publish the book as a hardcover? There is some great information in the book that is accessible to older readers too.
This is a board book - I wonder if it would make sense for them to simultaneously publish the book as a hardcover? There is some great information in the book that is accessible to older readers too.
April 29, 2018
Very pretty pictures and easy-to-understand explantations of the holiday.
November 13, 2018
I learned a lot from this book
March 24, 2023
So far for Ramadan:
Ramadan This is a sweet, simple board book. I think it's sufficient for the target audience. It conveys that Ramadan is celebrated in the 9th month of the year when the crescent moon first appears in the sky, lasting a whole month, and that "it is a time to reflect on ourselves, to be thankful, and help others." Prayer and fasting are mentioned along with breaking the fast with a date and sharing the meal called iftar. It also mentions that "During Ramadan, mothers and fathers still go to work. And children sill play, go to school, and see friends." It mentions Eid al-Fitr as the big feast at the end of Ramadan, too. "Ramadan may be over, but we will remember what it taught us. We will remember to love our family, pray, and give back to others all throughout the year." I also appreciate that the illustrations present people in a variety of settings and variety of skin tones celebrating Ramadan. One point that I felt should have been clarified is that it presents everything as "we" so that it appears even very young children are fasting. I would have preferred a bit more nuance here because it is my understanding that young children are not expected to fast and that, while some children do start to fast for a few hours each day as they get older, fasting from sun-up to sun-down is not really expected until around puberty. Please see the review by Serene in Wonderland here on GoodReads (can't link just now for some reason) as she points out some aspects of the book that were somewhat inaccurate or could have more clearly conveyed the Muslim perspective of the holiday.
Ramadan This is a sweet, simple board book. I think it's sufficient for the target audience. It conveys that Ramadan is celebrated in the 9th month of the year when the crescent moon first appears in the sky, lasting a whole month, and that "it is a time to reflect on ourselves, to be thankful, and help others." Prayer and fasting are mentioned along with breaking the fast with a date and sharing the meal called iftar. It also mentions that "During Ramadan, mothers and fathers still go to work. And children sill play, go to school, and see friends." It mentions Eid al-Fitr as the big feast at the end of Ramadan, too. "Ramadan may be over, but we will remember what it taught us. We will remember to love our family, pray, and give back to others all throughout the year." I also appreciate that the illustrations present people in a variety of settings and variety of skin tones celebrating Ramadan. One point that I felt should have been clarified is that it presents everything as "we" so that it appears even very young children are fasting. I would have preferred a bit more nuance here because it is my understanding that young children are not expected to fast and that, while some children do start to fast for a few hours each day as they get older, fasting from sun-up to sun-down is not really expected until around puberty. Please see the review by Serene in Wonderland here on GoodReads (can't link just now for some reason) as she points out some aspects of the book that were somewhat inaccurate or could have more clearly conveyed the Muslim perspective of the holiday.
February 18, 2021
A colorful very, very, very basic intro into the celebration and observance of Ramadan. Yes, it could be worthwhile addition to a youngling's library and more importantly a gateway to understanding.
The illustrations are more reminiscent of a Russian folk tradition. The bright color will keep the attention of the little ones but for some it might be too busy.
There is a fairly good inclusion of different skins tones and manners of dress. But as a review earlier stated that when a female is wearing a hijab her hair shows. Is this the norm for wearing a hijab? I do not know but the book could have been improved if it had shown to be a collaboration with an author/illustrator/consultant of the faith it represents.
It does not state which religion or tradition Ramada, itself, is a part of. The books state that people pray during this month but not to whom, making the holiday seem more spirituality-based, than truly faith-based, rooted in one of the world's major religions.
The illustrations are more reminiscent of a Russian folk tradition. The bright color will keep the attention of the little ones but for some it might be too busy.
There is a fairly good inclusion of different skins tones and manners of dress. But as a review earlier stated that when a female is wearing a hijab her hair shows. Is this the norm for wearing a hijab? I do not know but the book could have been improved if it had shown to be a collaboration with an author/illustrator/consultant of the faith it represents.
It does not state which religion or tradition Ramada, itself, is a part of. The books state that people pray during this month but not to whom, making the holiday seem more spirituality-based, than truly faith-based, rooted in one of the world's major religions.
July 9, 2018
Ramadan is the first book in a series of new board books from Simon Kids titled, Celebrate the World. In this introductory book, Ramadan, teaches readers about the Ramadan holiday. A time when those that celebrate focus their time on helping others, being thankful, and more. This is a great introduction into learning a little more about the Ramadan celebration. The illustrations are ones young readers will enjoy. The color scheme is festive, and one that will engage toddlers.
https://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2018/...
https://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2018/...
April 20, 2022
We read this to E to explain Ramadan, and I found it interesting and informative. The illustrations are lively, and they held her attention. I did read in a different review that there are inaccuracies, and it was clearly written by a non-Muslim, so that is good to know. Because of the inaccuracies I wasn't initially aware of, I can't give it a higher rating.
January 30, 2019
This book is an unironic informative little excursion into what we do at Ramadan, without taking time to define who "we" are. It's gentle and unpolemical and might be a worthwhile primer for parents as well as kids.
April 12, 2022
I think this is a great book for all ages to introduce the time of Ramadan. This is not always introduced in schools which is why many people know so little about this. The story tells us the key takeaway from the time of Ramadan.
March 22, 2023
Thought this was a great little book to give some basic and easy to understand info on Ramadan in a cute format, but, for my overall rating, I’m deferring to a constructive comment in other reviews that discusses many inaccuracies in the book. Hence, a 3 instead of maybe a 4.5.
April 14, 2018
A Board book to be shared with wee ones. In this new series called Celebrate the World, bright pictures and simple text explain Ramadan for the smallest of readers.
August 24, 2018
This board book is amazing. I loved the level of writing and how it explains the holiday of Ramadan.
June 18, 2019
excellent introduction for both muslims and non muslims.
the wording is not too difficult and is an easy ready.
the illustrations are colorful.
the wording is not too difficult and is an easy ready.
the illustrations are colorful.
September 18, 2019
This is a sweet introduction to Ramadan. It is kept simple so younger ones can understand. This would be a great book to introduce your classroom to Ramadan.
January 8, 2020
Such a great board book for explaining what Ramadan is and the illustrations are beautiful!
January 3, 2021
I like it, it's cute that it was in a board book.
July 10, 2022
Good book to help learn about other cultures.
September 16, 2023
Beautiful illustrations, and an informative introduction to Ramadan. Book might have benefited from additional editors to confirm cultural accuracy.
December 7, 2024
I don't really like the words "less fortunate" even tho it's the softest word to use. But I remember this is a kid's book not an article/journal
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April 5, 2018
In a new board book series, festivities from different cultures are featured. In the first Celebrate the World, the youngest readers learn about Ramadan.
September 12, 2020
Ages 3 and up. Bright illustrations accompany explanations of the traditions during Ramadan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews