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Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: With Praying, Fasting, and Charity
Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the fast's end, are sacred times for millions throughout the world. Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr examines the reasons for the month-long dawn-to-dusk fast and observes some of the wide variety of celebrations at the end of the fast worldwide.
Deborah Heiligman's text examines the historical, religious, and cultural aspect of this Muslim holiday. The book's beautiful photographs are complemented with a map pinpointing the exact locations illustrated. The extensive back matter also includes a list of further resources such as books and Web sites, useful for the research student and paper writer in grades one to four.
The book's consultant, Dr. Neguin Yavari gives an explanatory note about the religious and cultural significance of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.
National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
Deborah Heiligman's text examines the historical, religious, and cultural aspect of this Muslim holiday. The book's beautiful photographs are complemented with a map pinpointing the exact locations illustrated. The extensive back matter also includes a list of further resources such as books and Web sites, useful for the research student and paper writer in grades one to four.
The book's consultant, Dr. Neguin Yavari gives an explanatory note about the religious and cultural significance of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.
National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2006
About the author
Deborah Heiligman
42 books162 followersDeborah Heiligman has been writing for children since she worked at Scholastic News soon after college. Since then she has written more than thirty books for children and teens. Her books include picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, and young adult nonfiction and fiction. Some titles: Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, a National Book Award finalist; The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos, a Cook Prize Winner and Orbis Pictus honor; Intentions, a Sydney Taylor Award winner, and a picture book series about Tinka the dog. Her latest book is Vincent and Theo: The van Gogh Brothers. For more information please visit www.DeborahHeiligman.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 21, 2015
"Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: with Praying, Fasting, and Charity"
Nonfiction/ Informational Text- Grades 3rd-4th
This book is a nonfiction text about the holiday of Ramadan. This book contains beautiful photographs and simple explanations of complex religious rituals. Ramadan is a month-long holiday when Muslims around the world come together to celebrate faith, family, and community. I think this book is very important because it informs students about a religion that is often confused, especially in America. The photos depict the dedication of Muslims worldwide during this sacred holiday. Towards the end of this book, there is a useful information section called "More about Ramadan." In this section there are more facts about the holiday, explanation of the five pillars of faith, information about the Muslim calendar, a recipe to try, and a glossary that students can reference.
This book is part of the "Holidays Around the World" series by National Geographic and aligns with ELA Common Core Standards. This series introduces readers to different religions and cultural holidays celebrated around the world. I really enjoyed this book because it provides an informational outlook on the holiday of Ramadan. This text does a great job of examining the cultural, historical, and religious aspects of the holiday.
Before reading this book, have students write about a holiday they have celebrated. Have them write about what they do in as much detail as possible. If they don't celebrate any holidays they can write about a tradition they have. Have students share the holidays/ traditions they celebrate. Begin reading the book and stopping throughout to discuss vocabulary and other parts that may be confusing. After going through the book, (discussing pictures, asking questions, going over vocabulary) have students return back to the holidays they celebrate. Have them compare and contrast the holiday they celebrate and Ramadan. Some students may celebrate Ramadan and can give more insight to the holiday. This would be a great way for students to learn about other holidays. They will also be able to compare and contrast connections they make to their own life and what was read in the book. This book has a lot of good information about Ramadan. It is important for children to learn about all different holidays not just the ones they celebrate.
Nonfiction/ Informational Text- Grades 3rd-4th
This book is a nonfiction text about the holiday of Ramadan. This book contains beautiful photographs and simple explanations of complex religious rituals. Ramadan is a month-long holiday when Muslims around the world come together to celebrate faith, family, and community. I think this book is very important because it informs students about a religion that is often confused, especially in America. The photos depict the dedication of Muslims worldwide during this sacred holiday. Towards the end of this book, there is a useful information section called "More about Ramadan." In this section there are more facts about the holiday, explanation of the five pillars of faith, information about the Muslim calendar, a recipe to try, and a glossary that students can reference.
This book is part of the "Holidays Around the World" series by National Geographic and aligns with ELA Common Core Standards. This series introduces readers to different religions and cultural holidays celebrated around the world. I really enjoyed this book because it provides an informational outlook on the holiday of Ramadan. This text does a great job of examining the cultural, historical, and religious aspects of the holiday.
Before reading this book, have students write about a holiday they have celebrated. Have them write about what they do in as much detail as possible. If they don't celebrate any holidays they can write about a tradition they have. Have students share the holidays/ traditions they celebrate. Begin reading the book and stopping throughout to discuss vocabulary and other parts that may be confusing. After going through the book, (discussing pictures, asking questions, going over vocabulary) have students return back to the holidays they celebrate. Have them compare and contrast the holiday they celebrate and Ramadan. Some students may celebrate Ramadan and can give more insight to the holiday. This would be a great way for students to learn about other holidays. They will also be able to compare and contrast connections they make to their own life and what was read in the book. This book has a lot of good information about Ramadan. It is important for children to learn about all different holidays not just the ones they celebrate.
January 4, 2016
This is a wonderful book that clearly explains the Muslim holidays of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr. The photographs add a lot to the book and I felt the text was simple enough for ages 6-10 to understand without it being too wordy. I like that on each page some words are in bold, so even for younger readers you could read these headings and still be learning the basics.
I like that the author makes a point to show the different people in the photographs come from all around the world, illustrating that Muslims live in many places. At the back of the book are more facts about Ramadan, some great recommended resources, and even a recipe.
If you're studying world religions or cultural celebrations with children, this is a fantastic resource!
I like that the author makes a point to show the different people in the photographs come from all around the world, illustrating that Muslims live in many places. At the back of the book are more facts about Ramadan, some great recommended resources, and even a recipe.
If you're studying world religions or cultural celebrations with children, this is a fantastic resource!
May 15, 2022
Solid kids book on this subject from National Geographic. I would also recommend it as an introduction for adults who aren't offended by it being intended for kids. The main part of the text contains an average of 6 sentences every other page. Every other page is photographs with descriptions. I don't know how other kids were, but I could have read and understood this before 3rd grade. I could read YA in 3rd grade and read the whole Lord of the Rings series in 5th grade. I think typical 1st graders would struggle reading this book about Ramadan alone, possibly 2nd graders, too.
Informational, not biased against Islam, not preaching for it. Stays on topic without trying to cram in too much detail beyond what the title indicates. The recipe from Tunisia at the end is a nice touch. There is a page between the glossary and picture credits/acknowledgement page that has a little additional knowledge from the consultant the author used (an assistant professor) definitely written at a different level, but it is still accessible to older children.
Informational, not biased against Islam, not preaching for it. Stays on topic without trying to cram in too much detail beyond what the title indicates. The recipe from Tunisia at the end is a nice touch. There is a page between the glossary and picture credits/acknowledgement page that has a little additional knowledge from the consultant the author used (an assistant professor) definitely written at a different level, but it is still accessible to older children.
December 1, 2017
I like how this book represents different cultures that celebrate the same religion from different geographical locales. I wish that there were not a list of "Ramadan" dates to come because this book could be used for a long time.
April 8, 2026
Really liked this book for building into my HBE curriculum (9&8yo). Great information that is easily understood. Reading sections are broken up by great color photographs. There is a recipe to try and helpful glossary section in the back.
May 28, 2018
A good beginner's overview for children or adults who want to get some quick basics before further study.
March 21, 2023
Good for those who are thinking about fasting during Ramadan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 12, 2026review text for 1370
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November 24, 2015Title: Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr:: With Praying, Fasting, and Charity
Author: Deborah Heiligman
Publisher and Date: National Geographic Children's Books, 2009
This book describes the celebration of Ramadan, the Muslim’s holy month of fasting and Eid Al- Fitr, which marks the fast’s end. Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the fast's end, are sacred times for millions throughout the world. Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr examines the reasons for the month-long dawn-to-dusk fast and observes some of the wide variety of celebrations at the end of the fast worldwide.
Activity: The students could spend a week discussing different cultural traditions.
Author: Deborah Heiligman
Publisher and Date: National Geographic Children's Books, 2009
This book describes the celebration of Ramadan, the Muslim’s holy month of fasting and Eid Al- Fitr, which marks the fast’s end. Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the fast's end, are sacred times for millions throughout the world. Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr examines the reasons for the month-long dawn-to-dusk fast and observes some of the wide variety of celebrations at the end of the fast worldwide.
Activity: The students could spend a week discussing different cultural traditions.
June 25, 2016
National Geographic publishes this book so the pictures of children around the world celebrating Ramadan are of the highest quality. There are few words on the pages. The illustrations and captions for the pictures generally tell the story. This is a very good book for children to read and hear after a study of Ramadan.
April 18, 2014
These children's books are great for teaching about world religions. I like the information. I like the photos and the recipes. Makes explaining things in a class nice and easy when one can do it with pictures.
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November 23, 2015Summary: This book describes the celebration of Ramadan, the Muslim’s holy month of fasting and Eid Al- Fitr, which marks the fast’s end. Classroom Incorporation- The students could spend a week discussing different cultural traditions.
December 18, 2012
Way too many words for children's book. Good information and pictures though.
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December 2, 2015This is a good book to explain other religions and the holiday that's celebrated. There's also a recipe at the end that could be made for the class to try.
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November 18, 2015Summary: This book describes the celebration of Ramadan, the Muslim’s holy month of fasting and Eid Al- Fitr, which marks the fast’s end.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews