Once Upon an Eid
Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
Editors: S.K. Ali & Aisha Saeed
Illustrator: Iman Rasheed
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2020
Publisher’s recommended age: 8+
It’s almost enough just to say that this is 15 stories by amazing Muslim authors from all sorts of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and experiences. But these 15 stories come together to create a joyful celebration of Eid and everything it means to those that celebrate it. The editors have done a wonderful job of choosing stories that, together, create a realistically varied portrait of Islam, including the experience of intra-Muslim (Sunni-Shia) prejudice, new converts, and families living in Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority communities. And while the overriding emotion of the book is joy, some of the stories deal honestly with difficult situations that affect our experiences of holidays, including war, sickness, the loss of a parent, and divorce. The variety of authors means there is also a variety of styles of writing and storytelling. The editors specifically chose stories that simultaneously offer Muslim readers a mirror of their own Eid experiences (as well as windows on to other Eid traditions and experiences), while also providing non-Muslims a window on to this important recurring festival in all its variety.
Available Languages: English