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The Gift of Ramadan
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Sophia wants to fast for Ramadan this year. She tries to keep busy throughout the day so she won’t think about food. But when the smell of cookies is too much, she breaks her fast early. How can she be part of the festivities now?
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Such a lovely children's book.
Much recommended especially since Ramadhan is just around the corner. ...more
Much recommended especially since Ramadhan is just around the corner. ...more
Oct 02, 2019
Abigail
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Readers Looking for New Lighthearted Ramadan Picture-Books
As Ramadan draws near, young Sophia decides that she would like to participate in the fast with her parents and grandmother. Getting up early and having sahoor - the pre-dawn, pre-fast breakfast - she approaches her first day with enthusiasm, only to find it harder than she thought it would be to maintain her fast. When her little brother wanders by with delicious cookies, all bets are off. Has Sophia ruined everything, or is Ramadan about more than just fasting...?
I appreciated author Rabiah Yo ...more
I appreciated author Rabiah Yo ...more
I loved this. The story and illustrations were lovely. I really appreciated the balance this book had in making this book as a mirror to those who celebrate Ramadan and a window for those who don't. I got a good introduction to what it means to celebrate Ramadan and I think those who do celebrate will find this to be a good message of the many ways younger readers can demonstrate their faith and identity.
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Very cute Ramadan book that teaches kids a valuable lesson of giving even at a young age! Love that everyone can enjoy this book and learn about Ramadan as well. Beautiful illustrations and I love the family!
A perfect book that shows how to motivate kids to practise fasting and encourage them to contribute during the month of Ramadan.
I enjoyed reading this story about Ramadan. Sofia, learns about the difficulty of fasting and the beauty of giving. I can see some of my ESL students making connections to the content. Will definelry add to my library.
A new 32 page hard back Ramadan book that shows a little girls excitement isn't enough to get her to abstain from food and drink for the whole long day of fasting, but that there are other ways to enjoy the gift of the blessed month. A great book that shows how Ramadan is a month of growing and learning and sacrificing and coming together too. Perfect for ages 4 and up to be read in small groups or at bedtime. The pictures are delightful and show diversity, and while the little girls love of
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Sweet Picture Book about a Girl Celebrating Ramadan
A young girl gets ready for Ramadan with her family. She wants to fast like the adults. They are supportive and help her ready herself. But a young girl isn't expected to fast all day yet and when she fails they are compassionate. She can try again tomorrow or the next day or the next. A very nice book about Ramadan that presents Muslims as compassionate and pleasant people who love their family and religion like other Americans. ...more
A young girl gets ready for Ramadan with her family. She wants to fast like the adults. They are supportive and help her ready herself. But a young girl isn't expected to fast all day yet and when she fails they are compassionate. She can try again tomorrow or the next day or the next. A very nice book about Ramadan that presents Muslims as compassionate and pleasant people who love their family and religion like other Americans. ...more
Extra star for Sophia's curly hair which A loved: "wild hair like me!" But seriously, loved that our library featured this in advance of Ramadan. Also felt this was well done -- less re the faith behind it and more re the culture and community and meaning, making it more immediately approachable and digestible to all.
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This is a sweet story of Ramadan that is simple enough for children who are not Muslim to understand and fun enough for everyone to enjoy. I would recommend this to everyone.
Nov 18, 2019
Bee (BacchusVines)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
contemporary,
2019-challenge,
picture-books,
diverse-reads,
library,
family,
yarc-2019,
own-voices
A book about sparkles, and that there's no one way to celebrate a holiday. The Gift of Ramadan gives sparkles to a holy event that happens for all Muslims. I love the colors of this book and really hope it gives kids celebrating Ramadan a new book to share.
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"The Gift of Ramadan" by Rabiah York Lumbard, is a story about a little girl's perseverance to participate in something very special with her family – it is a story any reader could identify with. Little Sophia wants to fast for the first time during Ramadan. She learns it’s not easy—but also that fasting is not the only way to partake in Ramadan. Lumbard captures a few simple ways of celebrating and participating in the month of Ramadan through a young child’s eyes. Sophia learns that Ramadan i
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This interesting picture book tells the story of a young girl's efforts to participate in her family's observance of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. The central aspect of this special time is fasting from sunup to sundown. Sophia really wants to join her parents and grandmother in the fast, but quickly realizes that she's too young to go without eating for the entire day. I love that her grandmother helps her to realize that there are other ways for Sophia to observe this holy time. I also think
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I read this book for my little munchkin that growing in me day by day healthier before the Ramadhan started. Insyaallah .
It is a light reading to tell or teach our children what is Ramadhan . Why need to be fasting . And , how they can learn to fasting slowly not in a forcing style .
It is a light reading to tell or teach our children what is Ramadhan . Why need to be fasting . And , how they can learn to fasting slowly not in a forcing style .
Dec 26, 2019
Abby Johnson
added it
It's the month of Ramadan and Sophia is helping decorate the house and get ready. She's not quite ready for fasting yet, but she knows there are other things she can do. Maybe she does fall asleep during early morning prayers and maybe she doesn't have any money to give to charity, but she knows there are other things she can do to make her heart sparkly in the spirit of Ramadan. An author's note at the back of the book explains fasting in more detail.
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Sophia tries so hard to understand and honor the respectful fasting of Ramadan from sun-up to sun-down.
Can she succeed when there's so much good food and cookies around?
A great fun, supportive and introductory book into Ramadan, Islamic Muslim tradition and the significance and meanings of the tradition; ...more
Can she succeed when there's so much good food and cookies around?
A great fun, supportive and introductory book into Ramadan, Islamic Muslim tradition and the significance and meanings of the tradition; ...more
Excellent introduction of what it means and how it feels to fast during the longs days of Ramadan.
Fasting does not just mean no eating or drinking from sun up to sundown. Shows the day of a little girl who is trying to fast for the first time and is unable to for the entire day. Her grandmother consoles and shows her the other was to celebrate Ramadan when one is unable to fast.
Fasting does not just mean no eating or drinking from sun up to sundown. Shows the day of a little girl who is trying to fast for the first time and is unable to for the entire day. Her grandmother consoles and shows her the other was to celebrate Ramadan when one is unable to fast.
The Gift of Ramadan focuses on young Sophia who wants to participate in the daily fasting with her family after her grandmother explains its purpose. We see the first day of Ramadan through Sophia’s eyes: the struggle to stay awake during predawn breakfast and prayers, the temptation of cookies, the sadness when her hunger overcomes her and she eats, the reassurance from her grandmother that she is not a failure, and the joy she discovers in preparing iftar for her family. Sophia also reflects o
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I've read a number of children's books about Islam and Ramadan. This is the first one that made me feel like I was talking with a real believer and not an encyclopedia. Sophia's very real conundrum about trying to fast as a child made this relatable. Then her mother and grandmother explaining that Ramadan is more than just fasting took it to the next level. I wish there were more books like this one that present religion as a normal part of a real child's life. There are Notes for Parents at the
...more
This is a really sweet story about the significance of Ramadan that would be perfect for Muslim and non-Muslim kids alike. (I'd say ages 5 and up would be appropriate, or younger read with an adult.) It's also a great reminder that this period is not only about fasting--there are other ways to observe Ramandan, whether through charity or reading the Quran. There's also an informative Author's Note at the end for any adults or older kids reading this.
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This story about a young girl, Sophia, trying to fully participate in her family's observance of Ramadan was sweet and truly heartwarming. I loved that her grandmother and mother explained that there were so many was to participate and that what truly mattered was that your tried. Though this book is meant for children, I believe that adults could learn something about this Holy time in the Muslim faith as well.
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Such a sweet story! Not overly serious or instructive, not too light for the the topic --a child attempting to fast during Ramadan. I wonder what it would have felt like to read this book when I was a kid, praying to Allah on Sundays and observing my father's relationship with fasting. Sophia's big, fluffy, curly hair steals the show.
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This book is so sweet, and has gorgeous illustrations. Sophia wants to fast for Ramadan, but doesn't succeed. Grandma tells her the most important thing is to try. Sophia finds other ways to be helpful and fulfill the spirit of the festivities.
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I liked the idea and definitely know more about Ramadan after reading this. The book is fairly text heavy and younger readers may lose interest.
I learned much more about Ramadan by reading this book.
Beautiful and relatable to kids introduction to the customs and etiquette surrounding Ramadan.
Beautifully illustrated. A nice story to learn about Ramadan or relate to someone who participates in Ramadan. The author's note in the back was very educational.
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A beautiful book to be read to all children in every classroom. Sophia's family begins Ramadan by decorating their house and talking about fasting. Sophia wants to fast for the first time this year. The book's beautiful illustrations show traditional decorations, clothing, prayer rugs, and the Quran. The story allows for the reader to experience the challenge of fasting through Sophia. The grandmother in the book is a kind soul that helps Sophia understand that it is ok to struggle with fasting
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This book was a wonderful introduction for our family to learn about Ramadan.
The story follows a girl named Sophia who tries to be like the adults in her family and fasts during Ramadan. Her first day in, and it's not going so well. I like how the main character has a problem in this story and does fail but her grandma helps her to realize that there are other ways to fast and celebrate Ramadan, especially for a child. I also like how the grandma ends up having a problem too and Sophia is able ...more
The story follows a girl named Sophia who tries to be like the adults in her family and fasts during Ramadan. Her first day in, and it's not going so well. I like how the main character has a problem in this story and does fail but her grandma helps her to realize that there are other ways to fast and celebrate Ramadan, especially for a child. I also like how the grandma ends up having a problem too and Sophia is able ...more
Very Good Book about Ramadan. I also recommend reading important article on this subject called How to Prepare for Ramadan
While Ramadan 2021 is on doors, Muslims from every place on the earth are preparing themselves for this holy month. It’s a unique opportunity to trade with Allah (SWT), obtain His forgiveness and blessing.
“Ramadan”, “Ramazan”, “Ramzan”, “Ramadhan” or “Ramathan” (in Arabic: رَمَضَان) is the holy month of fasting, learning Quran, Dua, and prayer for Muslims, the followers of I ...more
While Ramadan 2021 is on doors, Muslims from every place on the earth are preparing themselves for this holy month. It’s a unique opportunity to trade with Allah (SWT), obtain His forgiveness and blessing.
“Ramadan”, “Ramazan”, “Ramzan”, “Ramadhan” or “Ramathan” (in Arabic: رَمَضَان) is the holy month of fasting, learning Quran, Dua, and prayer for Muslims, the followers of I ...more
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Alexis York Lumbard aka Rabiah York Lumbard is an American Muslim children’s book writer whose debut picture book, The Conference of the Birds with illustrations by renowned artist Demi (Wisdom Tales Press, Sept. 2012), is a contemporary retelling of the classic Islamic work by the 13th century poet Farid ad-Din Attar. Her most recent picture book, The Gift of Ramadan, is a heart-centered approach
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