Book Review: Ramadan The Holy Month of Fasting

February 3, 2025 by Sarah White Leave a Comment

Learning about other cultures and religions is so important for people of all ages, and if you’re looking for a basic introduction to Ramadan for kids of all faiths, Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting by Ausma Zehanat Khan is a good place to start.

The book is aimed at middle grade readers and is full of facts, information and photos about the monthlong observance. It starts with the basics of what is Islam, who is a Muslim and what is Ramadan, so if you’re starting without a lot of knowledge that’s good. It includes quotes from kids about what Ramadan means to them, as well as information about when it’s OK for Muslims not to fast (such as children, the elderly and pregnant and nursing women, among others), the different stages of Ramadan and Ramadan memories from the author and others.

It talks about fasting, prayer and good works that Muslims do during the month, as well as the celebrations of Eid, when the final fast is broken. It looks at a few different organizations doing good work during Ramadan and beyond and different Ramadan traditions from around the world. For example in Egypt, lanterns are used as decoration during Ramadan and there’s a light show on the pyramids; while in India it’s traditional to sacrifice a camel and give the meat to the poor at the beginning of Ramadan.

You’ll also find a few recipes, a glossary, and resources for further learning if you want them. This is a great book for learning the basics of Ramadan and how it is celebrated by different people around the world, perfect for late elementary kids and older to learn the basics of this important holy month for Muslims around the world.

About the book: 88 pages, paperback. Published 2025 by Orca Book Publishers. Suggested retail price $18.99.

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Printable Letter Books for Preschoolers

I did a post earlier this year with activities and ideas for teaching the alphabet, but a lot or learning letters and recognizing them just has to do with seeing them and working with them a lot.

That means coloring, tracing, identifying things that start with different letters and more.

One way to reinforce the letters is through little activity books like these cute printable alphabet books from Life Over Cs.

These are available for free when you subscribe to her newsletter, and I’d say that’s well worth it if you have a little one (or a group of little ones!) working on the alphabet and letter recognition.

Each mini book includes a collection of things that start with that letter to color, color and read with words that start with the letter, tracing the letter, finding the letter in a grid and other coloring pages with objects that start with that letter.

These little books are super useful reinforcing the different letters and giving kids different activities related to the letters.

If you do a letter of the day or letter of the week you can use a new book for each one, and then keep the copies in your reading center or in a basket where kids can look at them again.

And of course you can add in all the other letter activities you like, go on a scavenger hunt for items that start with that letter, read alphabet books, practice writing letters in rice or with pompoms or playdough or whatever sensory activities you like.

You can grab the free printables when you enter you email address at Life Over Cs, and check out her other great alphabet resources and activities while you are over there.

Do you have favorite activities for teaching letters to kids? I’d love to hear about them!

[Photo: Life Over Cs]

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