| Rating: **** 4 stars
Published by
32pp, INFORMATION STORY, 1845079221, £11.99 hbk
Na'ima B Robert, illustrated by Shirin Adl,
Ramadan Moon
Frances Lincoln, 2009.
INFORMATION STORY
The title gives the book a distinctive appeal, as it’s the moon that marks the beginning and the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan for Muslims all over the world. Using a beautifully descriptive and lyrical style of writing, the book informs the readers about Ramadan’s importance, its rituals and the specific daily routine followed by Muslims during this period.
The outstanding feature of the book is that it captures the excitement and ethos that underlie the principles of Ramadan. It also illustrates how feelings change with the lunar month which starts with the sighting of the new moon marking the beginning of Ramadan. As the month then progresses, the moon finally wanes to a crescent and then reappears, this being the harbinger of the Eid ceremony bringing the Ramadan story to an end. The flowing text in combination with its striking illustrations makes the book fascinating for young readers and listeners.
Khalida Alvi
November 2009, No. 179
Guide to the rating system:
***** 5 stars, unmissable
**** 4 stars, very good
*** 3 stars, good
** 2 stars, fair
* 1 star, poor |
