Review by Booklist Review
In Arabic, the word rahma translates to "forgiveness," with other iterations meaning "compassion" and "empathy." In this book, Rahma Road is a metaphor for the global Muslim diaspora, as believers of Islam from Turkey, Pakistan, Nigeria, Palestine, and many other places live and come together to share meals from their homelands during the month of Ramadan. At the end of a day of fasting, Muslims eat, pray, and celebrate community and faith. In this cookbook with stories, each two-page spread presents a family from somewhere along Rahma Road preparing a dish for the iftar get-together. Readers are treated to glimpses into these fictional families and recipes for the meals they are preparing. The illustrations set the cultural context, depicting people in traditional clothes, plus the array of meals laid out in a mouthwatering spread. The back matter provides an explanation of Ramadan, additional recipes, and a personal note from the authors and illustrator sharing their personal connections to the holiday's traditions.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a cookbook with character-driven interstitials, the residents of Rahma Road attend an annual iftar potluck, regardless of whether or not they are fasting for Ramadan--"Who would miss the grandest, tastiest, most delicious meal of the year?" Each child takes a signature offering--among them dishes from Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Mexico--and when "twilight covers Rahma Road with a golden veil of warmth and friendship," the community enjoys a sacred and nourishing meal. Omar Gutta's slight narrative leans into sensory perceptions, while Osman's 24 easy-to-follow recipes and Sohrabi's vibrant illustrations showcase the diversity of global cuisines. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Extensive back matter includes further recipes. Ages 6--8. (Feb.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A diverse group of Muslim neighbors prepare for their annual community meal. It's Ramadan, and the inhabitants of Rahma Road can't wait for their iftar, the breaking of the fast. Everyone's working hard to prepare their most delicious dishes to share. Great for reading straight through or skipping around, this cookbook covers Ramadan basics (What happens during Ramdan? Why is the iftar so significant?), highlights its importance for Muslims, and shows the care that goes into iftar, all while sharing recipes representative of the global Muslim community. The recipes are thoughtfully curated--from Nigerian jollof rice to Pakistani chicken tikka to Mexican elotes--and range in difficulty. The book alludes to the level of supervision required by noting which character is completing each step. The recipes are clearly written, with ingredient lists in metric and imperial units. Each includes a description of the dish, serving size, and preparation and cooking times. Community iftars are much-anticipated events for many Muslims during Ramadan, and Sohrabi's brightly colored digital illustrations warmly capture that spirit. Some specialty ingredients are required, but backmatter advises readers to check the international aisles of local grocery stores; also included are important definitions, additional recipes, and an authors' note. A tasty Ramadan treat.(Picture book. 5-11) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
