Review by Booklist Review
"As in My First Kwanzaa (2003), Katz uses a small child's viewpoint to explain the essentials of a traditional holiday. With his father, a young boy reads in the Qur'an about Ramadan, the most sacred time of year for Muslims all over the world. He learns about the prophet Muhammad and what he taught his followers. Clear words and simple, colorful collage illustrations show the family together as the boy learns the meaning of Muslim customs, prayers, and practices. He decides that he is old enough to fast every day of the holy month, so after a big breakfast, he does not eat again until it is time for iftar, the evening meal; then the family goes to the mosque to pray. Children will appreciate the warm, personal narrative, as well as the connections with Muslims all over the world."--"Rochman, Hazel" Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Katz (My First Kwanzaa) adds to her canon of picture books about multicultural celebrations with this upbeat and informative work. A boy narrator shares with readers what it is like for him and his family to observe the holy month of Ramadan, an important element of their religion, Islam. He describes various faith traditions and practices such as fasting between sunup and sundown, praying in the mosque and, eventually, marking the end of Ramadan with the celebration of a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr. With her signature mixed-media and collage artwork depicting people with large, open, friendly faces, Katz accents a solid and inviting introduction to these holidays. Ages 2-5. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-In this well-intentioned but flawed book, a Muslim boy tells readers how he and his family celebrate the month of Ramadan. Katz's folksy, round-headed people portray the warmth of time spent with family. In one particularly nice spread, the artist captures the diversity of Muslims throughout the world gathering to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Unfortunately, a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in the middle of the book will be jarring to Muslim readers. Elsewhere in the book it is implied that there is a Muslim tradition of eating on the floor during Ramadan, which is untrue. This may be a cultural tradition of some groups, but it is not universal. When the book discusses washing before the evening meal, the illustration shows four pairs of hands poised above a bowl of still water. Islamic law states that water used in these circumstances must be flowing. Finally, while Muslim women can choose to wear shorter skirts, they would cover their legs to pray. The mother is shown with her shins exposed. The text itself is mostly accurate, though the timing of the beginning of Eid as described is technically incorrect. Unfortunately, the inaccuracies in the illustrations make this book unacceptable and possibly offensive to many of the readers who might use it.-Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this simple explanation of Ramadan, a little boy explains that he will be fasting for the first time. He describes eating breakfast before sunrise, saying special prayers and attending his Islamic school where he makes a calendar and tries to ignore his hunger. After sunset, his family washes their hands and starts the meal with a date, just as Mohammed did with his followers on Ramadan. He visits the mosque during the month and at the end, celebrates Eid al-Fitr with parties and presents. The richly patterned collage and mixed-media pictures will appeal to young children. A double-paged spread with many races and national groups illustrates the diversity of the Muslim world. The book appears to take place in the U.S. (the family eats "buttery eggs, toast, fluffy pancakes, fresh berries, and orange juice" for breakfast), but the mention of assembling in a "town square" for Eid al-Fitr doesn't quite seem to fit. While more details would be useful, the text is appropriate as an introduction. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
