Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A child grapples with "needs and wants and wishes" during Ramadan in this quietly moving picture book from Thompkins-Bigelow and Betawi. As Momma and Haneen take the bus in the rain, the child grumbles, "I miss having a car. I'm getting all wet." Momma responds, "Duas, or prayers, said on a rainy day get answered. Especially during Ramadan." At the masjid, Haneen encounters others with new clothes and plushies, and channels a yearning for similar objects into an Eid card for Momma. But Momma's resultant upset suggests that the items are out of reach and leads Haneen to ask the creator for "what I want most." On Eid, Momma surprises Haneen, and Haneen makes a new card that illustrates the duo's bond. Rainy-day visuals contrast with more vibrant hues in delicate illustrations across a work that employs an apt metaphor--weather--for both the family's economic anxiety and the main character's internal turmoil. The protagonists are depicted with brown skin; background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--In this tender and quietly powerful picture book, Haneen and her mother journey through the rain to their masjid one night during Ramadan. Haneen longs for new shoes and bright Eid clothes--things her family can no longer afford--but her mother reminds her that prayers (duas) made in the rain, especially during Ramadan, are especially blessed. Though never explicitly stated, readers glean that Haneen's family has faced recent changes. As she helps prepare for Eid, Haneen reflects on her circumstances, listens to her friends' hopes, and begins to understand what she truly desires. Thompkins-Bigelow (Your Name Is a Song; Mommy's Khimar) brings her signature warmth and emotional depth to this story of spiritual reflection and quiet resilience. Lyrical, introspective text gently introduces readers to the richness of Ramadan and the emotional complexity of longing, gratitude, and faith. Betawi (A Map for Falasteen) illustrates with soft, expressive compositions that evoke warmth, humility, and sacred intimacy. Each spread includes thoughtful details--Arabic words woven into the design, varied modes of prayer like beads and books, and an elderly woman with tears--that enrich the visual storytelling. This is not a flashy holiday book but a deeply human one. It centers a Black Muslim family with authenticity and grace, offering a rare and needed mirror for some readers and a window for others. A moving, beautifully crafted addition to Ramadan and Eid collections that is ideal for storytimes, classroom or family discussions, and any setting where empathy and emotional literacy are nurtured. VERDICT A recommended purchase, especially to add Islamic titles to picture book shelves.--Cassie Veselovsky
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A child makes a heartfelt prayer one Ramadan. Walking with Momma from the bus stop to the mosque, Haneen complains, "I miss having a car. I'm getting all wet." "Rain brings blessings," responds Momma. "And duas, or prayers, said on a rainy day get answered." Rich sensory language envelops readers as the two enter the mosque. The descriptions glow with detail, such as "shoes that look like sunny-day sky" and "a sea of colorful garments"--things Haneen yearns for but that the family can't afford. As Haneen plays with the other children, Thompkins-Bigelow gently zeroes in on the quiet tension between abundance and scarcity that often exists in shared spaces. But as the night progresses, the warmth of community and the stillness of the communal night prayer grant Haneen space for reflection and the chance to dream and pray for what matters most. Betawi's palette of calming blues matches the text's meditative tone, while her compositions have an invitingly childlike charm. Momma and Haneen are brown-skinned; the varied skin tones and clothing of the characters reflect the beauty of the ummah, the global Muslim community. Arabic calligraphy with the names of God adorns the masjid's walls, capturing the magnificence of Islamic worship spaces. Together, these details form a layered visual experience that mirrors the story's emotional depth. A contemplative tale of patience, gratitude, belonging, and the beauty of the rain.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
