Alhamdullilah, we’ve reached the most beautiful time of the year. We’ve compiled a list of 30 books, one for each day of the month, for you to read and love. Many of these books are available on Kindle for a quick download and most are self-published - there is no better time to support our Muslim authors! While most of the links below will take you to Amazon for ease, make sure you also support an independent bookstore and order from them instead!
Ndaa Hasan, Azra Momin
The Ramadan Moon has quite an adventure as it visits children around the world celebrating the blessed month in their own way. The diversity and representation in this multi-award-winning book is phenomenal: Ali helps put up Ramadan decor from his wheelchair; Bilal’s mom uses sign language to tell him the moon has been sighted and Zeynep has to be careful with her Ramadan sweets on account of her diabetes.
Ndaa Hasan, Soumbal Qureshi
This book is dreamlike and poetic in the way it presents facts on The Most Powerful Night - Laylat ul Qadr. Layla asks just the right questions and her mom answers them in the clearest way possible. Her answers are simple yet no detail is spared and readers and listeners will find it easy to follow along. The book starts with Surah Qadr, adding to it's wondrous beauty.
3. Perfect Eid
Wish Upon my Story
This is one of the most unique Ramadan and Eid products this year - a personalized, keepsake Eid book. Your child's name appears on the cover and within the book alongside the beautiful words and images by the talented Tasmea Mahmoud. You can even choose between hard and softcover!
Zair Zabr Play
We have so many memories of choose-your-own-adventure books as kids and now, our kids have a Ramadan version. Oh, how we would have loved this when we were kids! It’s Isa’s first time fasting and he’s both excited and nervous. He needs some help making decisions along the way and that’s where the kids come in! Another super unique product this Ramadan, we’re already excited for what next year will bring insha'Allah.
Mariam Saad
Sofia’s grandmother - Abuela - isn’t a Muslim, but to make their Eid breakfast special she goes the extra mile - with a yummy spread of food, wonderful decorations and activities! This is such a great representation of how different families can be and also a great way for kids to pick up some Spanish vocabulary.
Omar S. Khawaja, Leo Antolini
Ilyas and Duck need no introduction whatsoever. We love the festive rhymes, the fun illustrations and lovable characters in this book. Sheriff Ilyas and Deputy Duck come up with a clever plan to drive Mr. Mean out of town before he can ruin Ramadan for the kids. This one is great to introduce kids to Ramadan is a super fun way with lots and lots of laughs.
Hena Khan, Julie Pashchkis
Night of the Moon is one of the most beautiful Ramadan classics, written by Hena Khan. This is great to read out loud in public school settings (inshaAllah soon) and is such an inspiration for little artists. The book follows Yasmeen and her family as they observe Ramadan and then celebrate Eid.
8. Golden Domes & Silver Lanterns
Hena Khan, Mehrdokht Amini
If you collect only one book of colors for your children, make it this one. Simple rhymes and exquisite illustrations make this one of those books that are read over and over to children of all ages and even enjoyed by parents.
Reem Faruqi, Lea Lyon
Another great intro to Ramadan story for kids, Laila’s Lunchbox follows the story of little Lailah’s move from Abu Dhabi to Peachtree City, GA where she will be fasting for the first time ever. This is a great book on how children navigate and experience Ramadan in a diverse setting.
10.Ramadan Moon
Na’ima B. Robert, Shirin Adl
Anything by Na’ima Robert is mindblowing and Ramadan Moon is no exception. The illustrations and beautiful text tug at your heartstrings and paint a beautiful picture of the feel of Ramadan. This is a must-read for every household.
Sylvia Whitman, Sue Williams
Quiet rhymes and cozy setting, Under the Ramadan Moon is the book to pick up on those days when you just want the feel of Ramadan without loaded descriptions and explanations. This one is a simple book that reads like a poem and makes for the perfect bedtime story.
Rabiah York Lumbard, Laura K. Horton
Sophia, like all the younger children, is so excited to fast but can hardly stay awake during suhoor and can not help herself from breaking her fast early. Her grandmother gently guides her into finding other ways to be involved in the Ramadan spirit.
13.Ramadan
Hannah Eliot, Rashin
A straight-forward yet so beautiful board book, this one is great for the youngest of hands. The colorful depictions of a typical Ramadan day are so eye-catching and fun that they will be asking to have this read aloud over and over.
14. Ris for Ramadan
Greg Paprocki
This is THE alphabet book for the babies this Ramadan, let them learn their faith and the alphabet at the same time. R is for Ramadan is a sturdy board book full of colors and words that relate to Ramadan. There isn’t much text so this is such a fun book to flip through and enjoy.
15. The Power of Dua
Kazima Wajahat, Gustavo Gutierrez
Mikaeel and Malaika are back but this time they don't have their superpowers. Or do they? In this story, the brother-sister duo is learning about the power of dua. Children often wonder when their duas will be answered and this book lays out the answer in a simplified and exciting way.
Robyn Thomas, Abira Das
As with all of Ruqaya’s Bookshelf titles this is another wonderful story. This book is about a boy named Saleem who has recently moved to a new city. On the first night of Ramadan, he meets Rami the cat and makes his first friend in his new neighborhood. Read the book to find out more!
Emma Apple
Owl and Cat books are just adorable! The layout of this book features a lot of blank space and clear text making it so pleasing to flip through (and perfect for beginner readers) and the explanation of Ramadan is one of the most well-organized and interesting out there.
18. Drummer Girl
Hiba Masood, Hoda Hadadi
Who doesn't love Drama Mama and her deep insights into the world of childhood and play? In this magical story, little Najma wants to be a musaharati walking around with a drum, waking people up for suhoor but no girl has ever done this before. Will she have what it takes to be the drummer girl of her dreams? This is a very important story of Ramadan and girl power.
19. Hassan and Aneesa Love Ramadan
Yasmeen Rahim, Omar Burgess
Hassan and Aneesa are two of the most beloved characters in the world of Muslim books. This story follows their excitement at the approach of Ramadan and children will find it so relatable especially as Aneesa goes down to investigate noises from the kitchen in the middle of the night.
20. Mustafa and Arwa go on a Ramadan Adventure
Mekram Mohammad
Another beloved brother and sister duo, in this book Mustafa and Arwa are finding out all about Ramadan. The rhyming text and vibrant illustrations are sure to stir up excitement in little readers and make this a beloved classic for years to come.
21. Tell Me More About Ramadan
Bachar Karroum, Tanja Varcelija
Laila is learning about Ramadan in this beautiful book. This is an easy read jam packed with information. Also available on Kindle along with other titles in the series.
Maissa Hamed, Mohamed El Wakil
With classic illustrations and text heavy pages, this one is more for older readers but makes a wonderful, and very different read aloud. Download the Kindle version and try it out for your next storytime or in Zoom classes!
23. The Month of Ramadan is Here
Ali Elsayed, Neda Elsayed, Sousann Elsayed
An absolute must-have on your Ramadan shelf, this is such a fun book to sing along too! Follow along with the catchy YouTube video here and the children will be humming this all throughout the month. The illustrations are so vibrant and make for one of the most upbeat Ramadan books out there.
24. One Meal More: A Multicultural Ramadan Story
Emma Apple
We love this unique book, in classic Emma Apple style with clear text and pictures - this book is a story of neighborly love and an appreciation for the diversity of the Muslim world. One Meal More is also available on Kindle!
25. Ramadan
Suhaib Hamid Ghazi, Omar Rayyan
Published in 1996, this is one of the oldest books on Ramadan and is just beautiful. The illustrations by Omar Rayyan make this book so great for your Ramadan baskets and displays.
26. The Shapes of Eid, According to Me
Samia Khan, Maria Ahmed
We are so blessed to live in a time with Ramadan and Eid alphabet, color AND shapes books. The Shapes of Eid, According to Me is brilliantly done and an important part of your collection.
Asma Mobin-Uddin, Laura Jacobsen
Leena is so excited to be invited to a party in Ramadan but it’s so hard to watch her friends enjoying the delicious party snacks while she’s fasting. Read the book to find out how she deals with this dilemma!
28. The Story of the Holy Prophet Muhammad: Ramadan Classics: 30 Stories for 30 Nights
Humera Malik
Something for the older readers now - this Ramadan gather the kids for a while and read aloud from this brilliantly done book on the seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, already divided into one story for each night of the month.
Fatima Salem, Tetiana Tsitsiura
Published by The Madrasa, this board book is the perfect first Eid present. Short, simple rhymes and clear pictures will have babies and toddlers looking forward to the most awaited Muslim holiday all year long!
30. Ilyas & Duck and the Fantastic Festival of Eid-al-Fitr
Omar Khawaja, Leo Antolini
Ending this post with another Ilyas and Duck favorite - the perfect way to say goodbye to Ramadan is by learning more about Eid and what better way to do that than by getting involved in the adventures of the amazing Ilyas and Duck?
BONUS:
Amjaad Al-Hussain, Ahlam Almulaki
Sifra Foods has come up with a cute bilingual story, available in both Arabic and English about two Yemeni-American kids, Fatemah and Yahya as they learn about their Eid traditions, especially the delicious Eid Ka'ak.
2. Asiyah and Asad Save Ramadan
Ali Subhani, Nida Rehman
So relevant in these times, Asiyah, like all the other children, is locked up in her house because of the virus. She's worried that the virus is going to ruin Ramadan and so teams up with her pet lion, Asad to save the month!
3. Who Will Help Me Make Iftar?
Asmaa Hussein, Saliha Caliskan
One of the most heartwarming Ramadan stories out there, Who Will Help Me Make Iftar follows the story of Mustafa Amca as he makes iftar for friends and neighbors on the first day of Ramadan.
4. Raihanna's First Time Fasting
Qamaer Hasan, Yasushi Matsuoka
Little Raihanna has such a personality! Children will love following along Raihanna's first fast as she navigates the highs and lows, makes dua and fights temptation. The book also features a bonus page for kids to jot down their own duas.