Amira’s Picture Day

When dark-haired, brown-skinned Amira and her bespectacled younger brother Ziyad spy the crescent moon, “that means it’s Eid tomorrow,” and their Muslim family begins to prepare—Amira and Ziyad will skip school to celebrate at the masjid with their community. Amira is excited when her mother applies mehndi designs to her hands, and she helps to fill goody bags with lollipops for other children. But then Amira realizes: this year, Eid falls on picture day. Faruqi’s prose is sweetly descriptive (“Tiny mirrors on her blue shalwar kameez shone happily in the sunlight”), and jewel-toned digital illustrations by Azim have a joyful, comics-style sensibility, with meticulous attention paid to the attire of the diverse crowd at the masjid. An endearing portrait of one child’s specific cultural concern, with universal appeal for any reader ever caught between conflicting commitments. Back matter includes an author’s note, more information on Eid, and a glossary. Ages 4–8. [em](Apr.) [/em]