Noura’s Crescent Moon

It’s Noura’s first time fasting for Ramadan, and after 29 days, “tonight would be Eid—if the moon appeared.” As the South Asian-cued family prepares foods for iftar, they discuss Noura’s first time looking for the Eid moon. Her father reminds her that very few people see it—he’s only once spotted the “tiny sliver.” To break fast with an iftar picnic, the family drives up a countryside hill where others, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones, are also gathered in wait. And when the moon does appear—“a faint, silvery smile. The tiniest of tiny smiles”—Noura is joyous. Khan’s lyrical writing and Adani’s soft, smudged illustrations delineate Ramadan practices while building one child’s suspense around waiting for the new moon. Back matter includes more about Ramadan. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)