Treasury of Eid Tales

December 1, 2022

K-Gr 4-In this collection of 14 stories, each one opens and closes with a verse quoted from the Quran that pertains to the topic or theme of the story. Several tales involve a character who mirrors figures from other familiar stories; for instance, Gilani-Williams says in an author's note that "The Drummer of Dushang" was adapted from The Pied Piper, and "The Jinn Who Stole Eid" was adapted from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The main theme in every story is to instill readers with a sense of doing right, and of good winning out each time. Many times, a character will give away the last of something they possess to someone who has less, even though they may really need it for the religious festival of Eid. In the end, the giver gets blessed in some way in exchange for the good they've done. Every story ends with the antagonist changed for the better and the proclamation of "I love You, Allah." Full-page illustrations throughout contain female characters wearing traditional hijabs, whether the settings are more modern or in the past. Skin tones vary from somewhat light colors to darker tones. Some students may struggle to understand or read religious words that refer to the Islamic holidays. Back matter includes information about Eid and a glossary of terms. VERDICT A nice addition for larger libraries looking to expand their religious stories collection.-Tracy Cronce

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