Ramadan Kareem by M. O. Yuksel: An Honest Review

After months of anticipation, Ramadan is here. Muslims worldwide recognize this special month and make it a goal to fulfill their religious duties. However, it may be difficult for parents to teach their children about Ramadan and make it more entertaining. This is why I will be delving into the rabbit hole of Ramadan books for children and sharing my honest opinions on them.

The first book on the list is Ramadan Kareem by M. O. Yuksel. M. O. Yuksel is a very educationally accomplished author, earning her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Fordham University, and her Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. She was born in Turkiye and is of Uzbek heritage. Yuksel has over twenty years of work experience in the education field, both in the U.S. and in other parts of the world. Currently, she works as a full-time author. She has written five books and has earned many awards for her work. 

Summary: 

Ramadan Kareem takes you all around the world and lets you observe the traditions of Muslims during Ramadan. It follows families as they eat suhoor and iftar, pray at the masjid, and more. 

After reading this book for the first time, I noticed it is very diverse. The front cover features many characters from different countries, and the book itself is diverse not only in countries but also in religions and Islamic sects. It shows that Ramadan is for everyone, regardless of color, religion, country, etc. Anyone could enjoy this book. 

M. O. Yuksel has a unique writing style. Each page has around 2-3 sentences, and the pacing lets you fully take in both the text and the art; great for children to read. Although there is no linear plot, the text pulls you into the wonderful experience of Ramadan and gives you that feeling of joy that we feel every year. I noticed that the text was strange; it felt almost poem-like but was not a poem. I quickly got used to it, though. 

One important theme in this book is the act of being kind to others. The book is about spending time with people during Ramadan and indulging in special activities together. It is not just about a single person, but how a month like this brings the entire community closer. In many cases, we see characters doing nice things for other people in their communities and neighborhoods, such as giving charity. The book shows that Ramadan is the perfect opportunity to treat others with kindness because of the additional rewards.
 

Strengths: 

1. The artwork is lovely, providing an engaging visual experience. Everything is diverse and colorful, really showing that Ramadan-vibe. 
2. The text is very simple and fun, making it easy for kids to read and understand. 
3. The book is engaging and even has a fun scavenger hunt to play.
4. There is a glossary at the end defining all the non-English terms used throughout the book. 
5. This book fits for everyone. It makes it easy for people of other cultures, Muslim or non-Muslim, to read and understand this book. It is not just limited to Muslims. 

Weaknesses: 

1. The text does not always flow well. At first, I was not sure if this was supposed to be a poem or not, so that may confuse some people. However, it does add to the charm of the book. 

Ramadan Kareem is great. I strongly believe that parents can have a good time reading this to their children, and although it is advertised for ages 4-8, anyone can appreciate this book. It is amazingly diverse and the illustrations are beautiful. It covers the Islamic traditions during Ramadan and emphasizes the benefits of spending time with your community. The pros strongly outweigh the cons, and for this, I rate this book a 9/10. I recommend this for parents who want to teach their kids about Ramadan, or just have some bonding time appreciating this book. Overall, this book is wonderful for both education and fun. It is a solid addition to your bookshelf, and the positive themes of family, tradition, and community make it a memorable read.