Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, based on the cycles of the moon. When a religious leader sees the first sliver of a crescent moon, the beginning of Ramadan is proclaimed. Individuals reflect on their spiritual growth, make sacrifices, and feel a sense of unity in knowing that Muslims around the world are respecting the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada, having faith in the Islam religion, Salat, praying five times per day facing the direction of Mecca, Zakat, giving support to the needy, Sawm, fasting from sunup to sundown during Ramadan, and Hajj: making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during one’s lifetime.
At the end of Ramadan, a three-day spiritual celebration known as Eid al-Fitr occurs. During this time, Muslims rejoice in the completion of the fast with family members and friends gathering to pray and feast. Donations are made to the poor and disadvantaged. Muslims attend prayers in the morning, and then visit family, friends, and neighbors, giving small gifts. If you observe Ramadan, consider these books as a part of your time together. All readers will enjoy learning more about Ramadan and the friends and neighbors who honor the holiday.
The Best Eid Ever
written by Asma Mobin-Uddin
illustrated by Laura Jacobsen
Boyds Mills Press, 2007
This Eid, Aneesa should be happy. But, her parents are thousands of miles away for the Hajj pilgrimage. To cheer her up, her Nonni gives her a gift of beautiful clothes, one outfit for each of the three days of Eid. At the prayer hall, Aneesa meets two sisters who are dressed in ill-fitting clothes for the holiday. She soon discovers that the girls are refugees. They had to leave everything behind when they left their native country to live in America. Aneesa, who can’t stop thinking about what Eid must be like for them, comes up with a plan, a plan to help make it the best Eid holiday ever.
Gift of Eid
written by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Holiday House, 2025
With Baba gone, Yasmine doesn’t have enough money to buy Mama’s Eid gift and can’t think of anything she wants for herself when Mama asks. While Mama’s haggling with the baker, she gets an idea. And after exchanging gifts with her mom in the Masjid, Yasmine realizes that true Eid joy comes from being together.
A re-telling of The Gift of the Magi, set in the famous Souq al-Hamidiyeh and the Umayyad Masjid of Damascus.
Gift of Ramadan
written by Rabiah York Lumbard
illustrated by Laura K. Horton
Albert Whitman, 2019
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?
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns:
a Muslim Book of Colors
written Hena Khan
illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Chronicle Books, 2015
“Red is the rug / Dad kneels on to pray, / facing toward Mecca, / five times a day.” Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns beautifully captures the world of Islam, celebrating its traditions, including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, for even the youngest readers.
Lailah’s Lunchbox: a Ramadan Story
written by Reem Faruqi
illustrated by Lea Lyon
Tilbury House, 2015
Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them in the lunchroom.
Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle
written by Reza Jalali
illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
Tilbury House, 2017
Looking through the tall trees in their backyard in Maine, Shirin and her dad search for a glimpse of the new moon, the sign that the month of Ramadan has begun. Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world pray, fast, and pay special attention to doing good deeds. Shirin is nine and thinks she should be able to fast like her older brother Ali, but her parents feel she is still too young to go without food and water all day. When Shirin catches Ali sneaking food after school, she wonders: Should she tattle or is this an opportunity for a good deed? Shirin feels left out when the others break their fasts to have their own meals after dark and in the early morning, before it is light again. But then her grandmother tells a story that shows her a way she can feel more a part of Ramadan and the traditions and closeness her family enjoys during this special month of the year. Her good deeds result in a surprise for everyone!
My Grandma and Me
written by Mina Havaherbin
illustrated by Lindsey Yankey
Candlewick Press, 2019
This gentle story of Mina and her grandmother takes the reader through their celebration of Ramadan at a mosque in Iran. It’s a celebration of an intergenerational family and their loving bonds. Earlier, we recommended this book in Reading Ahead.
Night of the Moon: a Muslim Holiday Story
written by Hena Khan
illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Chronicle Books, 2008
Yasmeen, a seven-year-old Pakistani-American girl, celebrates the Muslim holidays of Ramadan, “The Night of the Moon” (Chaand Raat), and Eid. With lush illustrations that evoke Islamic art, this beautiful story offers a window into modern Muslim culture — and into the ancient roots from which its traditions have grown.
Party in Ramadan
written by Asma Mobin-Uddin, MD
illustrated by Laura Jacobsen
Boyds Mills Press, 2009
Leena is excited about Ramadan. She’s too young to fast every day during the Muslim religious festival. Instead, she decides to fast every Friday during the month of Ramadan. When Leena receives an invitation to a party which happens to fall on Friday, she has a dilemma. She doesn’t want to miss the party, but she doesn’t want to miss fasting either. So Leena decides to go to the party, but not eat or drink anything at all. Later, she will join her family for the meal known as iftar, when the daily fast is broken. But when Leena, who is the only Muslim at the party, sees her friends enjoying fresh lemonade and chocolate cake, her stomach starts to growl and her head begins to hurt. Will she keep her Ramadan fast?
Ramadan
written by Hannah Eliot
illustrated by Rashin Kheiriveh
Simon & Schuster, 2018
In the ninth month of the year, when the first crescent moon rises in the sky, it’s time to celebrate Ramadan! In this lovely board book with age-appropriate and beautiful illustrations, readers learn that Ramadan is a time to reflect on ourselves, to be thankful, and a time to help others.
Ramadan Moon
written by Na’ima B. Robert
illustrated by Shirin Adl
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2009
Muslims all over the world observe Ramadan and the joyful days of Eid-al-Fitr at the end of the month of fasting as the most special time of year. This lyrical and inspiring picture book captures the wonder and delight of this great annual event. Accompanied by illustrations inspired by Iranian art, the story follows the waxing of the moon from the first new crescent to full moon and waning until Eid is heralded by the first sighting of the second new moon. This book is for all children who celebrate Ramadan and those in the wider communities who want to understand why it is such a special experience for Muslims.
Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
written by Lisa Bullard
illustrated by Holli Conger
Millbrook Press, 2012
For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, and thinking of others. Rashad tries to be good all month. When it’s time for Eid al-Fitr, he feasts and plays! This book is a good introduction to the observance of Ramadan for young Muslim children and the wider community.
Time to Pray
written by Maha Addasi
illustrated by Ned Gannon
Boyds Mills Press, 2010
In the Middle East, Yasmin is visiting her grandmother, who teaches her about Ramadan. They pick out fabric for special prayer clothes and a small rug. Grandmother Teta sews her the clothes, practices the prayers with her, and takes her to the mosque. Yasmin is worried that she doesn’t have a mosque near her home in the United States, so she won’t know when it’s time to pray. Her grandmother has a solution that she sends home with Yasmin in her suitcase.
White Nights of Ramadan
written by Maha Addasi
illustrated by Ned Gannon
Boyds Mills Press, 2017
Mid-Ramadan is a special time for families in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. These middle days are known as “the three whites,” because they include the day of the full moon, the day before, and the day after. It’s a time when children dress in traditional clothing and go from house to house collecting treats from their neighbors. When Noor sees the full moon rising, signaling the coming of Girgian, she and her brothers prepare for the fun. Together, they decorate the bags they’ll carry to collect the candies. But along with the fun, Noor remembers the true meaning of Ramadan: spending time with family and sharing with those less fortunate.
god bless you