Review: My Eid Mubarak Storybook

My Eid Mubarak Story Book

Author: Omer Naqi
Illustrator: Sierra Mon Ann Vidal
Softcover

‘The Eid Mubarak Storybook is a fun and exciting book that teaches children about the traditions of Eid. Join Emaan, Inaaya, Noorah and their friends as they get ready to celebrate Eid this year.’

My Eid Mubarak storybook is the first project of author Omer Naqi. Within this book he wanted to portray the fun and rich traditions of Eid. To do this, 9  stories are within the book, sharing some of the traditions that children look forward to.

• Emaan and Inaaya Get Ready for Eid with Noorah
• Eid Mubarak from Aminah and Qasim
• Mikeal and Ameer’s New Eid Trick
• Amna and Ayesha Make Eid Treats for Zia
• Alayna and Anya Get Henna on Eid Ibrahim’s Surprise on Eid
• Rayaans’s Favourite Thing on Eid
• Aleena Can’t Wait for Eid
• Zara and Ayza Spot the Eid Moon

For example:

Emaan and Inaaya are excited about new clothes and through the illustrations you can help them pick clothes based on their favourite colour.

Ibrahim receives money on Eid (Eidi) and we learn how he splits his money into three parts; spent some, gave some to charity and saved some.

The author himself is of Pakistani origin and I do feel this is reflected in the stories and illustrations…for example the girls choice of shalwar kameez as their Eid outfits and then the food they like being kababs and kheer. However the traditions of Eidi, going to the mosque, wearing new clothes etc are reflective of all cultures. Each story is brief and is not a detailed description of the traditions; the stories are 2 – 5 pages long. However that is the uniqueness of the book as it is providing snapshots of different Eid traditions, and at the same time providing some insight about Eid to those who want to learn about what happens at Eid, or simply stories that children who celebrate Eid can relate to.

I personally quite like that My Eid Mubarak Storybook tries to get the children reading it involved by asking some questions. For example ‘What will you do with your Eidi this year?’ It can become a discussion with the parent and child if the child is being read to.

Not just short stories, there are some educational aspects to it. For example, readers are told what Eid Mubarak means, reminding the reader that we should always say Bismillah before eating, explaining what Eidi is and the importance of spotting the moon which signifies it is Eid.

The book itself is colourful throughout with plenty of illustrations; Bee always loves looking at pictures and talking about them so she loved the pictures in this one.

A fun book to add to our collection of Ramadan and Eid books.

The book is available for delivery worldwide through amazon, barnesandnoble and xlibris.

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