Ramadan Readathon: Books We Recommend As Eid Gifts for Children

In a few days the holy month of Ramadan will end for Muslims. During Ramadan Muslims fast for 30 days. This means they do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. Instead, time is spent praying, meditating, reading the Quran, and engaging in spiritual activities. Ramadan ends with a celebration called Eid. Muslims celebrate by attending special prayers, visiting family and friends, eating feasts, and exchanging gifts (if they choose to).

The inspiration behind this post is my 16 month old niece. Being the booknerd I am, I knew I wanted to start building her library as soon as possible. I also knew I wanted the first books in her library to connect to her Islamic faith and background, as well as represent Muslim writers. I set out to research children's books written by Muslim authors and found some wonderful options. When I learned of the Ramadan Readathon happening this year, I knew I wanted to share this list with anyone interested in diverse children's literature.

If you're interested in book recommendations for adults, check out Nadia's post HERE. Additionally, Zoya has compiled a list of book recommendations for young adults HERE.

Books We Recommend as Eid Gifts for Children

1. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan

"Magnificently capturing the colorful world of Islam for the youngest readers, this breathtaking and informative picture book celebrates Islam's beauty and traditions. From a red prayer rug to a blue hijab, everyday colors are given special meaning as young readers learn about clothing, food, and other important elements of Islamic culture, with a young Muslim girl as a guide."   

{GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon} 

2. The Perfect Gift by J. Samia Mair

"Sarah is sad because she cannot find an Eid gift for her mother, so she takes a walk along the secret path in the woods that always makes her feel better. There she finds the first flower of spring—God's perfect gift to the world. Leaving her gift in its place to share with her entire family, Sarah grows in her understanding and appreciation of nature and what it means to live in submission to God."   {GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon}

3.  5 Pillars of Islam by Anwar Cara

"Written in simple, rhyming language and accompanied with bold, colorful illustrations, this book is perfect to introduce young children to the most important acts in Islam: the Five Pillars. Each spread features one of the Five Pillars: believing in Allah and His Messenger, praying, fasting, giving charity, and performing Hajj." 

{GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon}

4. It's Ramadan, Curious George by Hena Khan

"It's the first day of Ramadan, and George is celebrating with his friend Kareem and his family. George helps Kareem with his first fast and joins in the evening celebration of tasting treats and enjoying a special meal. Then, George helps make gift baskets to donate to the needy, and watches for the crescent moon with the man in the yellow hat. Finally George joins in the Eid festivities to mark the end of his very first Ramadan."    

{GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon}

5. An Eid for Everyone by Hina Islam

"Eid is a holiday celebrated all over the world. It is a festival that brings together people through prayer, charity, and family reunions. So let's enjoy this holiday together with some special friends taking part in different traditions of this celebration."
{GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon}

6. Amira's Totally Chocolate World by J. Samia Mair

"Amira loves chocolate so much that every night before she goes to sleep, she asks God to make everything chocolate. On Eid-ul-Fitr, she wakes up to find a totally chocolate world! At first she loves her new world, but when she discovers that she misses all the beautiful colors in nature, she realizes that God, the Creator, knows best."

{GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon}

7. Night of the Moon by Hena Khan

"Yasmeen, a seven year old Pakistani-American girl, celebrates the Muslim holidays of Ramadan, "The Night of the Moon" (Chaand Raat), and Eid. With lush illustrations that evoke Islamic art, this beautiful story offers a window into modern Muslim culture-- and into the ancient roots from within its traditions have grown."

{GoodReads} {Book Depository} {Amazon}

Thank you to Nadia and Zoya for organizing the #RamadanReadathon and including me in this special post!!

Posted by: Amna (@perusingya)

Covers and Cupcakes: 5 YA Contemporary Reads

What happens when you combine your love of YA books and eating cupcakes? Well, you start imagining delicious cupcakes as your favorite YA book covers! Thus, the new blog feature COVERS AND CUPCAKES is born. I've combed through hours of cupcake pictures to find the perfect match for these YA books. This week's theme is contemporary reads. Take a look at my picks and click the link for recipes!

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

Vanilla cupcakes with yellow & pink rose frosting

GoodReads

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Banana-Caramel Decadence Cupcakes

Recipe

GoodReads

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Blue Velvet Cupcakes with Galaxy Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe

GoodReads

I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

Vanilla Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream Frosting topped with a Daisy

GoodReads

Once And For All by Sarah Dessen

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting as Hydrangeas

Recipe

GoodReads

So, how did I do friends? Is this something you would like to see weekly on the blog? Also, have you read any of these books? Please leave a comment here or on Twitter to let me know your thoughts!

*Disclaimer: Credit for pictures belongs to their respective owners. I own nothing.*

Posted by: Amna (@perusingya)

Cover Reveal: Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Bloomsbury kindly revealed the cover of the much anticipated "novella" turned book 6 for the Throne of Glass series featuring Chaol Westfall titled TOWER OF DAWN.

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Synopsis from GoodReads:

"In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica - the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both - and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined."

Sounds like another EPIC Sarah J. Maas novel! 

TOWER OF DAWN will be released in September 2017.

Title Reveal: The Pirate Book by Sara Raasch has a name!

If you follow Sara Raasch on Twitter, then you are familiar with the teases she's given about working on a new story about pirates. Now we have a title for the project!

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Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

"Inspired by the Spanish Inquisition and the golden age of piracy, it follows three characters: a woman seeking justice, a tortured pirate looking for redemption, and an ambitious prince out for power."

Sounds intriguing! THESE REBEL WAVES is set for a Summer 2018 release.

Cover Reveal: The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine

YA Books Central exclusively revealed the next installment of C.J. Redwine's Ravenspire series, THE DARK PRINCE. It's a retelling of The False Prince and The Prince and the Pauper.

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Head over to YA Books Central for the synopsis and to enter a giveaway! Don't forget to add to your GoodReads TBR!! THE TRAITOR PRINCE is set for release February 13th, 2018.

Cover Reveal: Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Check out the GORGEOUS cover for Ashley Poston's upcoming YA scifi retelling of Anastasia, HEART OF IRON.

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Head over to YA Interrobang for the synopsis and to download some cool phone wallpapers! Be sure to add the book to your GoodReads TBR!! HEART OF IRON is expected February 13th, 2018.

News: 20 Shadowhunter Related Questions Answered by Cassandra Clare

BuzzFeed shared this awesome post of Cassandra Clare answering 20 fan questions about her Shadowhunters series. Be warned there are mild spoilers for The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, and The Dark Artifices!

BuzzFeed: 20 Of Your Most Burning Questions Answered by Cassandra Clare