Ramadan Kareem

The collaborators behind In My Mosque cross continents and countries to celebrate Ramadan’s joys and traditions in this painstakingly detailed book. As “the holy month of mercy” begins, spreads show families observing the holiday in locales whose contextual details connote Australia, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S., among others. Characters portrayed with various abilities and skin tones “gather/ to gaze at the new crescent moon,” fast and break fast, share gifts and greetings, engage in community care—and finally celebrate Eid. Yuksel’s sensate prose conveys specific practices and experiences (“I trace the lines of the Qur’an on my abuela’s lap”), especially the wait for iftar, while Aly’s energetic illustrations draw on culturally specific Islamic art and architecture, imparting the season’s tenets and its communal feel. A note and glossary conclude. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)