It's Ramadan, Curious George

July 1, 2016
For one special month, George accompanies a young friend through fasts, feasts, and good works at the mosque. Such headers as "Waiting for Sunset" and "Sharing with Others," along with glimpses of stars and crescents in the background and a "Ramadan Mubarak" banner, offer oblique references to some basic themes and symbols, but Ramadan's purpose, many of its practices, and even the word "Muslim" go unmentioned in this tabbed board book. Khan's rhyme lumbers along ("George can't wait for tomorrow, / When the month of Ramadan will start. / It's a special time of year for his friends, / And George is going to take part!"). Meanwhile, Young plugs George and the Man in the Yellow Hat into scenes with Kareem, his father, and his hijab-wearing mother. (Kareem and his dad appear to be black; his mother is lighter-skinned.) They make cookies, gather with friends at sunset to break their daily fast and pray (offstage), then enjoy "Kabobs, curry, veggies, and rice" with chocolate-dipped bananas for dessert. At the mosque, George helps Kareem make food baskets and tries to pass out the racked shoes until an imam gently stops him. Finally, beneath a thin crescent moon at month's end, George gets a new vest (and the Man a yellow fez) for the celebration of Eid. A rudimentary introduction, with licensed characters that are just along for the ride. (Board book. 2-4)

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November 15, 2015
Preschool-K Curious George has his first experience with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in this slim picture book. In it, George helps his friend Kareem through his first fast by playing games to distract the boy from his hunger. Once the sun goes down, The room is filled with happiness / And the peaceful sounds of prayer, followed by an abundance of food to fill the stomachs of Kareem's family and friends. Another day, George accompanies Kareem to the mosque to help with donation drives. The book ends with the Eid festival and characters enjoying hours of feasting and fun as Ramadan draws to a close. Few facts about Ramadan appear in this book (its connection with the Muslim religion is never even mentioned), but young readers will get a sense of some of the activities that accompany its observance, such as fasting and charity work. Pair with a more informational book, such as Lisa Bullard's Rashad's Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (2012), for a more rounded look at the holiday.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)