6 Ramadan Books for Children (that we actually like)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

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Ramadan is a sacred month. It’s beautiful. We really want to lean into this short period of time and make the most of it. Shaitan is locked away. The opportunity for gaining reward is ripe. There’s a peace in the air that’s not really there the rest of the year.

One thing that gets a little mixed up sometimes though, despite it being a special time, Ramadan is actually NOT a holiday. There’s a lot of community time spent in Ramadan…there’s a lot of good times and fun. Eid al Fitr is the holiday…and we should fr sure do it up and make it super fun and celebratory.

But fun…is not the goal of Ramadan.

The decorating, the “advent” calendars, all of that – we have to really be mindful that we are keeping things within the bounds set by Allah and His messenger, peace be upon him. Now, don’t get me wrong  – I’m not necessarily saying that it’s bad.

All I’m saying is to be mindful. Check with your teachers. Double check your intentions. We should be careful as to not be copying other people’s religious/holiday practices. Even if we take out their faith aspects and islamicize it.

Anyway, all that said, Ramadan should be a special time. It should be a time that everyone looks forward to and knows how sacred it is – including children. That often includes stories, crafts, and the like. So today, I’m sharing 6 books about Ramadan for children…that actually work.

I’ve read through a lot of Ramadan books…and a lot of them disappoint to be completely honest. These are books that are sweet, enjoyable and they don’t smear the message with unnecessary, unlawful elements. They also stay, at least mostly, true to the purpose of Ramadan  – which is not actually about poor people.

1.Under The Ramadan Moon

This is one of our favorites and one that we’ve returned to 3 years in a row! It’s written in rhyming form and goes from waiting for Ramadan to begin all the way through to Eid al-Fitr. I love how it’s heavily focused on family and also highlights community as well. It is beautifully written and illustrated!

2. It’s Ramadan, Curious George!

Another favorite that we’ve returned to year after year! It’s a wonderful collaboration, bringing in the classic Curious George! This book does a lovely job at highlighting a kids perspective on fasting. I love that it’s not sugar-coated – it can be a challenge AND we can do it.

3. Lailah’s Lunchbox

This is a new one for us this year. It’s really geared toward school-aged children, especially who may frequently be in the company of non-muslims.. but we still found it enjoyable. The sentiments of worrying about judgment, finding a safe person to share our feelings with, etc, are relatable for most people at some point. I love how all of the adults comment on how special it is for Lailah to be fasting.

4. Ramadan by Hannah Eliot

This is honestly not a book that I highly recommend and I won’t return to it once I find some better options… but it’s still a sweet book. The illustrations give me a Turkish vibe. I love the part in the book where Hannah writes, “Throughout the whole month, we think about what is most important to us.” To be fair, it’s not a bad book.. I just don’t really like the miscommunication about the purpose/the sentiments of Ramadan being about “less fortunate people”.

5. Ramadan Around The World

Ramadan Around The World is also new to us this year. I really enjoyed it! I love that we learn about some of the special things that people all around the world look forward to during Ramadan…but also, I love the representation in this book!! There’s a character who is deaf, someone in a wheelchair and there’s someone with diabetes. There are Asian countries, African countries and European countries represented! It’s overall a beautiful book.

6. Layla and Zayd Learn About Ramadan

This is another newer book for us but will be staying in our library.. It’s a sweet book about a brother and sister as they experience Ramadan for the first time. They’re learning about fasting and prayer. It’s interesting that the boy goes to the masjid with their dad and the little girl stays home with their mom – I think I’m kind of between being agitated and appreciative of that aspect. Nonetheless, it’s a cool Ramadan book.

Overall, I’m always excited to find great Islamic books for children. It has definitely been really hit-or-miss. It’s great to see many new books in this genre coming out…but I certainly hope that the quality continues to grow along with the quantity.

Most of these books are ten dollars and under…and you’ll enjoy them for years to come.

I’d love to hear your families favorite Ramadan books! 

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