Venturing out after dusk with her family, a child is eager to watch for the new moon that signals the start of Eid ul-Fitr celebrations in this charming picture-book debut.
Noura can't wait for the sun to go down! With Ramadan and her first month of fasting almost over, she and Mama and Papa are headed to the hills for a moonsighting picnic. It would be truly special if Noura could catch a glimpse of the faint silvery crescent, something even her mother has never managed to do. If the moon stays hidden, that means one more long day before Noura can wear her sparkly new dress and the joyful Eid celebrations begin—bringing with them visits with friends, eating sweets, and painting henna on her hands. In a lighthearted introduction to Ramadan and Eid, this family-centered tale of anticipation under the stars pairs an inviting text from Zainab Khan with Nabila Adani's vibrant illustrations, capturing everything from the bustle of a shared meal to the swirling magic of the night sky. Relevant terms, from food items to the Islamic lunar calendar, are explained in a glossary at the end.
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 5, 2024 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781536236743
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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December 18, 2023
It’s Noura’s first time fasting for Ramadan, and after 29 days, “tonight would be Eid—if the moon appeared.” As the South Asian-cued family prepares foods for iftar, they discuss Noura’s first time looking for the Eid moon. Her father reminds her that very few people see it—he’s only once spotted the “tiny sliver.” To break fast with an iftar picnic, the family drives up a countryside hill where others, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones, are also gathered in wait. And when the moon does appear—“a faint, silvery smile. The tiniest of tiny smiles”—Noura is joyous. Khan’s lyrical writing and Adani’s soft, smudged illustrations delineate Ramadan practices while building one child’s suspense around waiting for the new moon. Back matter includes more about Ramadan. Ages 4–8. -
Starred review from January 15, 2024
A young girl fasting for the first time during Ramadan anxiously awaits the new moon, which heralds Eid ul-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast. It's the 29th day of Ramadan, and Noura and her family are preparing a special moon-sighting picnic. Papa and Mama gently remind Noura how rare it is to see the crescent moon that signifies the end of Ramadan. There might even be one more day of fasting. But Noura can't contain her excitement--this Eid ul-Fitr will be even more special, since it's her first time fasting the whole month. A gorgeous spectacle of color fills the sky as the sun sets and Noura's family drives to the top of a hill away from city lights. But...oh no, the clouds! What if the moon stays hidden? Though Noura is a little disappointed, her parents praise her for her first fast as they prepare for another iftar, and she thinks that maybe fasting one more day won't be so bad after all. Suddenly the clouds thin, revealing the silvery glint she's been awaiting. Khan presents a refreshing take on Ramadan stories by spotlighting the holiday that succeeds it and highlighting customs such as wearing new clothes, visiting friends, painting one's hands with henna, and eating Eid treats. Adani captures the anticipation of Eid with warm and richly detailed illustrations. Cues in the text suggest that Noura and her family are South Asian. Backmatter includes a helpful glossary. Sweet, heartwarming, and family centered. (Picture book. 4-8)COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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March 1, 2024
PreS-Gr 3-Noura and her family look for the new moon, which indicates the end of Ramadan and start of Eid ul-Fitr. The book begins by establishing the mood, giving readers a sense of anticipation, and putting them right in the story as Noura's family gets ready to watch the sun set. They find the best spot on the hill, then unpack their dinner and wait to see if the moon makes an appearance. After some time, and finally accepting that the moon may not make an appearance, "the tiniest of tiny smiles" appears in the dark sky. This story features religious and cultural traditions, and a glossary goes over terms used in the story that readers may not be familiar with, such as Chaand Raath. Back matter gives context and further explanations to certain aspects of the story, such as why the sighting of the moon is important. VERDICT Khan's writing combined with Adani's dreamy, colorful illustrations makes this a great addition to library collections.-Shazia Naderi
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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