The Gift of Ramadan — A Review

Assalamu aleikum!

Ramadan is fastly approaching, and I finally get a chance to read and review a book I have wanted to get my hands on for quite some time alhamdullilah.

Summary : 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?

Author : Rabiah York Lumbard

Illustrator : Laura K. Horton

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Review and thoughts : The Gift of Ramadan is wonderfully illustrated with a moving story. My only issue was the part of the salat portrayal on the women’s side. The father’s portrayal was fine with his eyes cast down.
On the women’s side, the neck of Sophia’s grandma is bare. She is basically praying with only her turban and her finger is raised in the air I guess to proclaim tawheed. I felt like this part wasn’t executed well or technically accurate. In addition, the strands of hair of Sophia’s mom are showing below her scarf during salat. Outside of salat, people are free to use whatever type of veil they like but during salat we should be thoroughly covered in my opinion to attract angels in the room.

Above all, The Gift of Ramadan explains this important milestone and holy moment for Muslims to those who don’t know while also portraying the determination of a young girl wanting to observe Ramadan in other ways she can instead.

Find it on Amazon here.

Rating : 4/5

Thank you for reading,

~ A Ducktrinor Mom ~

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