Young readers can learn about Eid, a religious holiday celebrated by
Muslim families every year, as well as the Hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims
travel back to Mecca for the Eid, in this picture book about Muslim
culture and traditions written by Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated
by Laura Jacobsen.
This Eid, Aneesa should be happy. But, her parents are thousands of
miles away for the Hajj pilgrimage. To cheer her up, her Nonni gives her
a gift of beautiful clothes, one outfit for each of the three days of
Eid. At the prayer hall, Aneesa meets two sisters who are dressed in
ill-fitting clothes for the holiday. She soon discovers that the girls
are refugees - they had to leave everything behind when they left their
native country to live in America. Aneesa, who can't stop thinking about
what Eid must be like for them, comes up with a plan - a plan to help
make it the best Eid holiday ever. School Library Journal says: [A]
beautifully composed story. . . . This is a welcome contribution, giving
much-needed visibility to a celebration observed by over ten million
people in North America. And Library Media Connection says: After
reading this book, children will have a greater appreciation for the
Muslim culture and will have no problem realizing that love is an action
word.