Review by Booklist Review
Sophia, excited for the start of Ramadan, is going to try fasting like the rest of the family. But she can barely keep her eyes open during the early breakfast and falls asleep during morning prayers. She tries to busy herself during the day so she doesn't feel her hunger, but when her baby brother comes into her room with a cookie, it all seems too much. Several chomps lead to a heart-to-heart with her grandmother, who tells her there are other ways to observe, including studying and sharing with those less fortunate. That leads to Sophia helping cook a dinner to break the fast. She's also reminded that more chances for fasting come up during the month of Ramadan. An author's note gives a simple explanation of Ramadan and clarifies that young children do not have to fast, though many make the effort, perhaps for just a few hours. The bright artwork presents a Muslim family of different ethnicities living in a household that combines the modern with the traditional. An appealing introduction.--Ilene Cooper Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--5--An inquisitive young girl, Sophia, is excited about Ramadan, a holy month of fasting in Islam. As her grandmother and mother describe what Ramadan means, Sophia announces that she will fast. Throughout the day, she tries to keep herself busy and not think about food. However, her little brother starts to chase her with a cookie. As the smell of chocolate fills her nose, Sophia can't resist her urges anymore and starts eating cookies. Distressed that she lost the sparkly feeling she was supposed to gain from fasting, she learns what is expected of different age groups and other ways people can earn blessings during this observance. This book makes Ramadan approachable to young audiences. The adorable illustrations of Sophia and the daily life of one family as they navigate their fasting are age appropriate and represent the story very well. The book has a small issue--the author oversimplifies the concepts of sunrise and sundown. Some terms, such as sahoor and iftar, could have been explained either in the text or in the glossary. VERDICT Highly recommended to introduce young readers to Islamic culture and traditions; a perfect addition to holiday book collections.--Noureen Qadir-Jafar, Syosset Library, NY
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
As Sophia's family prepares for Ramadan, she decides she wants to fast so her heart will feel "sparkly." This sincere yet wordy story, with colorful, culturally specific illustrations, pays homage to a Muslim family's gentle support of a child's first fast. The author's note emphasizes the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of fasting. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Little Sophia wants to fast for the first time during Ramadan. She learns it's not easybut also that fasting is not the only way to partake in Ramadan. Hearing her grandmother refer to "the heart of a person who fasts" as "pretty and sparkly," Sophia tries to fast on the first day of Ramadan, but she becomes "too hungry." Grandma comforts her, explaining, "No one expects you to fast for an entire day," and, "You have a full month to keep trying." Sophia observes the different ways her parents and Grandma celebrate Ramadan and finds a way to celebrate without fasting the entire day so that with Grandma's help she feels very "sparkly" indeed. Lumbard captures a few simple ways of celebrating and participating in the month of Ramadan through a young child's eyes. Sophia learns that Ramadan is more than just fasting; it's also about prayer and contemplation and about charity and sharing. Horton's use of bright colorsyellow, blue, and purple toneshelps to highlight the month of Ramadan as a special time full of joy and beauty. The family appears to be Western and multiracial; Grandma and Sophia's dad have medium-brown skin, Sophia's mom is white, and Sophia and her little brother have light-brown skin. Grandma covers her hair (even in the house) and Momma does not (except in prayer). An author's note includes basic information about the month of Ramadan.A child-friendly and -centric look at this important observance. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
