From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3?An attractive companion to Mary Matthews's Magid Fasts for Ramadan (Clarion, 1996), set in America rather than Egypt. Hakeem and his family are the focus of Ghazi's description of the holiday?its origin, elements of celebration, and purpose. Though Hakeem plays a prominent role throughout, plot emphasis rests on ritual and events rather than on character development. The boy functions as an "everychild" whose matter-of-fact and heartfelt religious observations help to demystify a part of Islam for non-Muslim children as well as affirm an important part of the Islamic calendar for those who are believers. Ghazi's writing is clear and descriptive with Arabic terms sans pronunciation but described both within context as well as in an appended glossary. The picture-book format creates a warm and welcoming setting, one that beckons to readers and invites exploration. Rayyan's expressive watercolors complete the package with their effective utilization of Islamic stylistic techniques; many are reminiscent of those he created for Eric Kimmel's Rimonah of the Flashing Sword (Holiday, 1995). The artist's skillful juxtaposition of Islamic borders and panels as frames for American Muslim culture highlights the mix of a rich traditional heritage with late 20th-century realities. A good introduction to Dianne MacMillan's Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr (Enslow, 1994), and a fine first look at the richness of Islamic tradition.?Celia A. Huffman, Worthington Public Library, OHCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 5^-9. The month of Ramadan, an Islamic time of fasting, feasting, sharing, and prayer, is seen through the eyes of young Hakeem. Along with his family, he watches the night sky to see the new moon that signals the beginning of the special month. For the next 28 days, the (presumably American) family will wake before dawn to eat a large breakfast, fast all day, and eat an enormous evening meal before heading to the mosque for prayers. Ghazi gives just the right amount of background information, along with interesting details (for instance, Hakeem cannot put anything in his mouth all day, so he is careful not to play so hard that he gets thirsty). Rayyan incorporates into his paintings Islamic symbols and architectural motifs, as well as a lively, ethnically diverse group of people. Highly recommended for most libraries. Susan Dove Lempke

From Kirkus Reviews
Ghazi, while never stating forthrightly that Allah is the same God Christians and Jews worship, explains Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, with pedantry as the guiding force. Readers learn about the Islamic faith, who Muslims are, how a lunar calendar works, the liturgies inside a mosque, and the enchanted hour of the pre-dawn meal just before the inception of a day of fasting. Beyond the fictionalized framework of the boy Hakeem's personal rites and family traditions, there is little to make the information memorable. That's not true of Rayyan's artwork, which is replete with images of the sacred and the profane; it's an eyeful of Islamic motifs, from delicate filigree to miniature panels to a well-lighted mosque that appears to be carved out of the dark. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Card catalog description
Describes the celebration of the month of Ramadan by an Islamic family and discusses the meaning and importance of this holiday in the Islamic religion.

ANNOTATION

Describes the celebration of the month of Ramadan by an Islamic family and discusses the meaning and importance of this holiday in the Islamic religion.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Describes the celebration of the month of Ramadan by an Islamic family and discusses the meaning and importance of this holiday in the Islamic religion.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr

This is a kid's level account of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Beginning with an explanation of the lunar calendar, it describes historical and current Islam in terms of Christianity and Judaism, then follows a small boy through a day of fasting, prayers, and fellowship with his family and mosque. The borders and panels in traditional Islamic style are both handsome and evocative.

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

On Eif al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate their success at fasting during Ramadan the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Suhaid Hamid Ghazi describes how a boy and his family observe the month of fasting and the holiday that acknowledges its end. Traditional Islamic designs border Omar Rayyan's warm images of a contemporary American family.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3An attractive companion to Mary Matthews's Magid Fasts for Ramadan (Clarion, 1996), set in America rather than Egypt. Hakeem and his family are the focus of Ghazi's description of the holidayits origin, elements of celebration, and purpose. Though Hakeem plays a prominent role throughout, plot emphasis rests on ritual and events rather than on character development. The boy functions as an "everychild" whose matter-of-fact and heartfelt religious observations help to demystify a part of Islam for non-Muslim children as well as affirm an important part of the Islamic calendar for those who are believers. Ghazi's writing is clear and descriptive with Arabic terms sans pronunciation but described both within context as well as in an appended glossary. The picture-book format creates a warm and welcoming setting, one that beckons to readers and invites exploration. Rayyan's expressive watercolors complete the package with their effective utilization of Islamic stylistic techniques; many are reminiscent of those he created for Eric Kimmel's Rimonah of the Flashing Sword (Holiday, 1995). The artist's skillful juxtaposition of Islamic borders and panels as frames for American Muslim culture highlights the mix of a rich traditional heritage with late 20th-century realities. A good introduction to Dianne MacMillan's Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr (Enslow, 1994), and a fine first look at the richness of Islamic tradition.Celia A. Huffman, Worthington Public Library, OH

Kirkus Reviews

Ghazi, while never stating forthrightly that Allah is the same God Christians and Jews worship, explains Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, with pedantry as the guiding force. Readers learn about the Islamic faith, who Muslims are, how a lunar calendar works, the liturgies inside a mosque, and the enchanted hour of the pre-dawn meal just before the inception of a day of fasting. Beyond the fictionalized framework of the boy Hakeem's personal rites and family traditions, there is little to make the information memorable. That's not true of Rayyan's artwork, which is replete with images of the sacred and the profane; it's an eyeful of Islamic motifs, from delicate filigree to miniature panels to a well-lighted mosque that appears to be carved out of the dark.