This selection of picture books features various traditions and ways to celebrate the holy month, showing young readers the diversity within the Muslim community while celebrating the shared principles.

The Ramadan Drummer by Sahtinay Abaza. illus. by Dinara Mirtalipova. Reycraft. ISBN 9781478879145. 
K-Gr 3–Abaza’s story opens with a grumpy Adam, hungry from his fast. That night, Adam dreams of the Ramadan drummer; he beats the drum with him street after street. VERDICT Readers learn, along with Adam, that Ramadan is about more than being hungry all day—it’s also about the value in helping and being there for others.

A Ramadan to Remember by Marzieh A. Ali, illus. by Najwa Awatiff. Soaring Kite. ISBN 9781958372142. 
K-Gr 3–Zain and his parents recently moved to a new neighborhood, and there is no local mosque, nor other families nearby who celebrate Ramadan like Zain does. Zain takes matters into his own hands and creates a Ramadan celebration his own way. VERDICT A heartfelt and detailed book to share with all children, whether or not they celebrate Ramadan.

The Blessed Pomegranates: A Ramadan Story About Giving by A Helwa. illus. by Dasril Iqbal Al Faruqi. Sunbeam. ISBN 9781638191490. 
K-Gr 2–A story of kindness and sharing that is embodied in the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Alyah and Adam are excited to help Grandma Essi pick pomegranates from the tree outside her door. The family is celebrating Ramadan, a Muslim holiday of giving, and they decide to give the pomegranates away to friends. VERDICT Books on kindness and sharing are important in all libraries; those searching for books on holidays and traditions will find this a worthy addition.

[Read: 6 Books About Ramadan and Eid for Picture Book, Middle Grade, and YA Readers]

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr by Sara Khan. illus. by Nadiyah Suyatna. words & pictures. ISBN 9780711287167. 
K-Gr 2–A heartfelt tribute to the month of Ramadan, as narrated by a young Muslim girl who lives with her parents and a cat in a nonspecific location, among a diverse group of neighbors and classmates who also celebrate. VERDICT A friendly introduction that will be useful for young children learning about fasting, and which certainly fills a hole in the holiday shelf with almost DIY-level details for celebrating a special time of year.

Ramadan Kareem by M.O Yuksel. illus. by Hatem Aly. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063240124. 
PreS-Gr 3–A celebratory, tender picture book that reflects how the holy month of Ramadan is honored by Muslims around the world. VERDICT A beautiful follow-up to the award-winning collaboration In My Mosque, this book reflects the diversity of Muslim communities around the world while uplifting the shared principles of the holy month of Ramadan.

Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan by Farida Zaman. illus. by author. Owlkids. ISBN 9781771475648. 
Gr 1-2–Aliya, a second grade student, wants to celebrate Ramadan just like her mom and dad. Despite Dad’s gentle objection, Aliya secretly plans to fast anyway. VERDICT A wonderful selection for Ramadan displays or as part of a story time or presentation on world holidays and religions featuring Nancy Elizabeth Wallace’s Can Sophie Change the World? and Thrity Umrigar’s Binny’s Diwali.