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"A new moon is in the sky, and Yasmeen, identified on the jacket as a seven-year-old Pakistani-American, knows that it is time for the holidays of Ramadan and Eid. As Khan (How to Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say, and Get What You Want) and Paschkis (Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal) follow Yasmeen through all the festivities (a family backyard barbecue, a visit to a mosque, a henna hand-painting), they portray Muslims as another vibrant thread in the great American tapestry, emphasizing the bonds of family, community and spirituality rather than details of a particular belief system (for example, Yasmeen's mother explains that the customary fasting "helps me remember to be grateful for the food I have and to be more patient"). Paschkis, borrowing from the arabesque motifs and jeweled colors of Islamic art, portrays the Muslim community as warm, welcoming and multi-ethnic (for non-Muslim youngsters, the idea that Islam is practiced by many different kinds of people may be revelatory). Sweet and visually striking, this is a good choice both for children who celebrate these holidays and for others seeking a bridge to their culture. Ages 4-8." "Yasmeen's mother points out the little sliver of the crescent moon to remind her of the new month that means Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim year. As Yasmeen moves through the month and the moon waxes and wanes, she learns the lessons of the celebration. Khan deftly weaves information about the culinary and cultural traditions of Ramadan and Eid with the little girl's love of her family and growing understanding of her role in the outside world. The gentle and reflective text reflects the simple arc of the month; it's Paschkis's stunning gouache paintings that make this book so memorable. Deep, saturated blues and greens remind readers that Ramadan is a celebration that takes place after sunset. When the Night of the Moon celebration occurs indoors at the community center, the reds and oranges burst with happiness. Specialized vocabulary is signaled in the text with an Arabic-flavored display type that leads readers to the terms' definitions in the back and complements the framed panels bordered with Eastern motifs. Warm, lovely, homey. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)" The Muslim holiday of Ramadan gets a vibrant, visually exciting treatment here. Yasmeen, a seven-year-old Pakistani American girl, looks out the window with her mother, watching the moon’s first crescent. Mom explains how in the Islamic calendar the months follow the lunar cycle, and an excited Yasmeen realizes it's time for Ramadan. In school, she shares with her classmates details of the holiday, such as the fast. At home, she shares meals with family. The holiday moves week by week, until finally the sky is moonless. "The Night of the Moon" means Ramadan is over, and the next day is the holiday of Eid. Khan's author's note explains the origins of Ramadan and the reasons for fasting. The book focuses on the celebratory aspects of the holiday rather than the religious underpinnings, more of which could have been included in the text. But the upbeat tone of the writing is matched by Paschkis' lively, jewel-like art that uses Islamic decorative stylings and has the look of enameled design work. Midnight blues and sea greens frame pictures of Muslims from many cultures and traditions, all sharing sacred days.
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