The Month That Makes the Year: A joyful celebration of the spiritual practice of Ramadan

It’s Ramadan and all over the world the Muslim community is observing the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. For non-Muslim it can be difficult to understand how and why people go without food and fast.


This picture book explains Ramadan from a little girl’s point of view as she and her family celebrate Ramadan. For a whole month they eat breakfast or Suhoor before the sun comes up, eating plates of dates to give them energy for their day of fasting. She explains how her family makes a big change in their lives by changing one little thing at a time and shares her journey through her first day of fasting. She explores the emotions and physical feelings she has throughout the period.

Topic-specific vocabulary is explained the in a glossary at the back of the book. Colourful illustrations support the author’s message and show the Muslim family interaction with members of their community and the wider community as they go about their daily lives during this special month.

This book is a great way to understand the Muslim faith and break down barriers and show understanding and kindness to each other, not just in Ramadan, but every month, every day.

Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? No

Would this book work as a read aloud? Yes