Reviewed by Heba F. El-Shazli
Reviewed Source: Africa Access
Book Author: Aya Khalil
The holy month of Ramadan is a special time of the year for every Muslim family around the world. The end of Ramadan is joyfully celebrated with a holiday named Eid El Fitr, which celebrates the end of a month of fasting from sunrise and sunset every day for thirty days. This Eid is synonymous with sweets, sweets, and more sweets — desserts of all kinds from cookies to cakes. Aya Khalil gives us a gift of the children’s book, The Night Before Eid — A Muslim Family Story, with illustrations by Rashin Kheiriyeh. The book was published by Hachette Book Group, Christy Ottaviano Books (part of Little, Brown and Company) in 2023.
The story begins with the joyous arrival of Teita who bounds into Zain and his family’s home with much joy and industrious attitude to ensure that the Eid (full of sweets) is well celebrated. I happen to be a teita (grandmother) to a little boy who is two years and seven months old, so the appeal of Aya’s Teita in this story is very dear and near to my heart. The “baking of ‘ka’ak’ requires patience and teamwork,” writes Ay . . . “Ka’ak are delectable, delicate, crunchy, crumbly cookies” and sweet! Covered with confectioners’ sugar and filled with delicious dates, or malban (a form of Turkish delight), or eaten plain. My fondest childhood memories are also of spending several nights before Eid at my teita’s home in Cairo helping my aunts, my mother, and teita make ka’ak cookies. Yet, in my case, it ended up with my sister and cousins having a grand time playing with small pieces of dough rolled into balls and throwing it at each other (like snowballs!). Let us say my teita was not pleased, but we had a lot of fun. Continue reading on Africa Access.
The Night Before Eid by Aya Khalil
on 2023
Genres: Arabic, Holidays and Celebrations
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Early Childhood, Grade K, Grades 1-2
ISBN: 9780316319331
Review Source: Africa Access
Also by this author: The Arabic Quilt, GREAT BANNED BOOKS BAKE SALE
Publisher's Synopsis: Celebrate the end of Ramadan with this luminous Muslim family story about faith, history, and delicious foods.
On the night before Eid, it's finally time to make special sweet treats: Teita's famous ka'ak. Zain eagerly unpacks the ingredients from his grandmother's bulky suitcase: ghee from Khalo Karim, dates from Amo Girgis, and honey from Tant Tayseer — precious flavors all the way from Egypt. Together with Mama and Teita, Zain follows his family's recipe and brings to life Eid songs and prayers, pharaonic history, and the melodies and tastes of his Egyptian heritage.
This Muslim holiday story, featuring a delicious ka'ak recipe, is a satisfying addition to a joyful and expansive Eid.
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