Book News
Ramadan begins this year on the evening of April 1. I’m always excited to see everyone’s preparations and decorations and love the way people creatively incorporate my books into their library and home displays, reading corners, and craft projects. My very first picture book, Night of the Moon, released in time for Ramadan back in 2008. And it’s amazing (and also makes me feel old!) to learn that it, along with Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, is now being called a “classic.” I’ve gotten countless requests from parents over the years asking for a board book version of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, since their toddlers loved their copies to literal pieces. I’m thrilled that a new board book version is finally available for its 10th anniversary (this old photo is of a young friend with the book when it was new, and he also recently turned 10 years old!)! You can also now enjoy the third book in the series, One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers. The whole series is available in various formats at your favorite bookseller! Please let me know what you think of the latest installment, and if you think there should be a fourth book in the series!
Event News
I’ll be doing my first in-person public event in over two years at the beautiful Diyanet Center of America on April 1 at 8pm. Please join us for a welcoming Ramadan kids’ program that includes story time, crafts and book signing! Register here: https://diyanetamerica.org/events/kids/
resources
There are so many inspiring Ramadan craft and decorations out there, and some very artistic and enviable Instagram talent. One site I’ve found helpful over the years when looking for step by step activities to do with kids is A Crafty Arab. I had the pleasure of meeting Koloud at Third Place Books in Seattle years ago, and she was passionate about sharing Arab traditions and culture in creative ways. Of course, it’s important to remember that not all Muslim culture is Arab, or vice versa, but A Crafty Arab has created nice tie-ins to my books and others. Do you have a favorite craft? If so, please share with me!
What I’m Reading
I’m about to pick up a classic book by Judy Blume that I’ve never read before, in preparation for a guest spot on the SSR: Literary Throwbacks Revisited podcast. I love that the SSR is a reference to Silent Sustained Reading. Anyone else remember that? I’ll be reading and talking about Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself on the May 3 episode, and am looking forward to it! Have you read or reread a classic from your childhood? What did you think of it all these years later?
Reminder
My next release, Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun, is available for pre-order now!