Under the Ramadan Moon

by Sylvia Whitman, Sue Williams (Illustrator)

Overview

"We wait for the moon. We watch for the moon. We watch for the Ramadan moon. We give to the poor, and read Qur'an, under the moon. We live our faith, until next year under the moon, under the moon, under the Ramadan moon."

Ramadan is one of the most special months of the Islamic year, when Muslims pray, fast, and help those in need. The lyrical story, with luminous illustrations, serves as an introduction to Ramadan—a time for reflection and ritual with family and friends. A detailed note about Ramadan is included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807583050
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	03/01/2011
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	69,816
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD440L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

We wait for the moon. we watch for the moon. we watch for the Ramadan moon.

We fast by day under the moon, under the moon, under the Ramadan moon.

We eat at night under thè moon, under thè moon, under thè Ramadan moon.

We speak kind words and stop bad habits under the moon.

We give to the poor and read Qur'an under the moon.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Under the Ramadan Moon"
by .
Copyright © 2008 Sylvia Whitman.
Excerpted by permission of Albert Whitman & Company.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

"In a series of satisfying scenes with glowing colors and rounded forms, the artwork, apparently done in pastels, warmly depicts a family's activities at home and at the mosque…A handsome, family-centered Ramadan picture book for young children."—Booklist

"This delightful picture book describes the month long Muslim observance of Ramadan by a modern family…The repetitive line "under the moon…" also makes this an excellent resource for teachers and librarians for choral reading and discussion."—School Library Journal

"Glowing, textured illustrations using gently rounded lines show a family engaged in holiday activities: spending time together, waiting for their day-long fast to end, preparing food, visiting relatives, attending services at a mosque. A worthy addition to any children's library."—The Horn Book Guide

"Muslim parents will enjoy reading the simple text and talking about the pictures with their young children. Other parents and children may come to understand the customs of neighbors and friends."—Children's Literature

From the Publisher

Gr 2-4

This delightful picture book describes the monthlong Muslim observance of Ramadan by a modern family. It begins, "We wait for the moon./We watch for the moon./We watch for the Ramadan moon." The images of the waxing, full, and waning moon progress along with the spare, lyrical text. Practices such as fasting, speaking kind words, giving to the poor, decorating with bright lights, and praying all take place, "under the moon, under the Ramadan moon." Williams uses soft, luminous pastels in richly textured, detailed spreads. People have warm, generous smiles, and women in hijaab give tender hugs and talk on a cell phone. Moonlight and firelight add to the congeniality. The repetitive line "under the moon..." also makes this an excellent resource for teachers and librarians for choral reading and discussion.-Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Oberlin Public Library, OH

School Library Journal

This book for the very young adds to the growing number of books on Islamic fasts and feasts, but in its simplicity it doesn't supply very much in the way of information. The text starts off rhythmically: "We wait for the moon / we watch for the moon / we watch for the Ramadan moon," but make little sense when it states "We fast by day / under the moon . . . " and becomes downright pedestrian as "We speak kind words / and stop bad habits / under the moon." The pastels lend a special softness and serenity, glowing with intensity when it is really night and the moon is shown in its different phases throughout the lunar month of Ramadan, and the people depicted show some of the diversity of the American Muslim community. Most young readers, however, won't understand that the people in the book are living through a month of fasting each day, and even the author's note doesn't provide adults with enough details to expand upon the text. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews