Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: With Praying, Fasting, and Charity [Hardcover]

Deborah Heiligman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Holidays Around the World

Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the fast's end, are sacred times for millions throughout the world. Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr examines the reasons for the month-long dawn-to-dusk fast and observes some of the wide variety of celebrations at the end of the fast worldwide.

Deborah Heiligman's text examines the historical, religious, and cultural aspect of this Muslim holiday. The book's beautiful photographs are complemented with a map pinpointing the exact locations illustrated. The extensive back matter also includes a list of further resources such as books and Web sites, useful for the research student and paper writer in grades one to four.

The book's consultant, Dr. Neguin Yavari gives an explanatory note about the religious and cultural significance of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deborah Heiligman is the award-winning author of 15 children's books. She specializes in simplifying complex subjects for young people, particularly in the areas of science and social studies. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792259262
• ISBN-13: 978-0792259268
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #698,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Islam

More About the Author

Deborah Heiligman has written more than twenty books for children, most of them nonfiction, including three other biographies. She is married to Jonathan Weiner, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for The Beak of the Finch.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deborah Heiligman's series : Holidays around the world, August 28, 2007

By 

Kim "Kim" (Guwahati, India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: With Praying, Fasting, and Charity (Hardcover)

Deborah Heiligman's series : Holidays around the world is a good introduction to children unfamiliar with the holiday.

The pictures are amazing and well laid out. For someone who celebrates Eid, the pictures will seem incomplete because there are so many more aspects than can be represented in a 32 page book. But for someone who has no idea about Ramadan and Islam, this is a very good introduction. ITs also extremely easy for children to read on their own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Children, October 10, 2007

By 

Katydid (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: With Praying, Fasting, and Charity (Hardcover)

I bought this book as an Eid-al-Fitr gift for my 9 year old step-daughter. I think it perfectly suits what I was shopping for: a simple explaination of what we do, why we do it and photographs of Muslims around the world who fast, pray, read Qur'an and celebrate just like we do. The book, writing, and all of the photographs are beautiful. At the end, there is a section with some "extras" where it explains the five pillars of Islam, the lunar calendar, dates of Ramadan for the next few years, recipes, etc. I know my step-daughter will enjoy this book and share it with friends. I would recommend this book to Muslim families or anyone who wants to share this important piece of Islam with children.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate Ramadan & Eid Al-Fitr, August 27, 2007

By 

Diana Rohini LaVigne "Online Editor, Indianl... (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: With Praying, Fasting, and Charity (Hardcover)

Title: Celebrate Ramadan & Eid Al-Fitr: with praying, fasting, and charity

Author: Deborah Heiligman

Published by: National Geographic Society

Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

Beautifully photographed and impeccably written, National Geographic Society has added a much-needed book to their `Holidays Around the World' series. With the current state of confusion about the Muslim community, especially in America, Celebrate Ramadan & Eid Al-Fitr brings light to the rituals Muslim celebrate and united which includes praying, fasting and giving charity. Ramadan is a time for family, community and celebrating religious beliefs.

With breathtaking photos that depict the dedication of Muslims worldwide during this sacred holiday time, readers will be delighted with the simple explanations of the complex religious rituals. It's not only a book for teenagers but also for adults.

Towards the end of the book, there is a useful informational section called more about Ramadan. It offers facts about the holiday, more about the five pillars of Islam, an explanation of the Muslim Calendar, recipes to try, and a glossary for reference.

A wonderful book to explore, understand and comprehend the dynamic and important celebration of Ramadan. It should be required reading for high-school teenagers in America and accompany the other books in National Geographic Society's `Holidays Around the World' series.