Skip to main content

Amira’s Picture Day Review: Bringing Eid Joy Everywhere

 




"Amira did not need to be told to smile. She was already smiling." 




Amira's Picture Day by Reem Faruqi is a sweet and thoughtful story about balancing two important moments in a child’s life: celebrating Eid and attending picture day at school. 

The story follows Amira, who is excited to stay home and celebrate Eid. Just thinking about the holiday makes her feel warm and tingly. She looks forward to wearing new clothes, visiting the mosque, and handing out goody bags. But then she notices a flyer on the fridge and her excitement quickly turns into worry. Eid happens to fall on the same day as school picture day. 

Amira suddenly feels torn. If she skips school to celebrate Eid, she’ll miss the class photo. What if her classmates forget her? What will her teacher think? 

Even though the Eid celebration at the mosque is everything she hoped for, the thought of missing picture day keeps lingering in her mind. Luckily, a last-minute idea on the car ride home offers a simple but meaningful solution. 

What makes this book special is its gentle reminder that celebrating Eid doesn’t have to limit us. Through Amira’s experience, children can see that the joy of Eid can travel with us, whether we are at home, at school, or somewhere else. 

Reading Amira’s story reminded me of my own experience during my college years. One time, I had to go to campus after Eid prayer to take a test. Many people view Eid as a full holiday, a day to stay home, gather with family, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate together. But for me, Eid has always been more than that. It’s the sound of takbir on the night before Eid, the early morning preparations before going to the mosque, and most importantly, the Eid prayer itself, which only happens once a year. 

I noticed that many Muslim readers on Goodreads relate strongly to this story because they live in countries where Muslims are a minority and Eid isn’t always recognized. Interestingly, I come from a country with a large Muslim population and many people here still work the night before Eid or continue activities after Eid prayer. Not everyone loves that situation, but we still accept it because the spirit of Eid lives in our hearts. 

Just like Amira shows us, Eid joy can travel anywhere. 

So don’t make Eid your limitation, celebrate it wherever you are.




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak Review: Finding the Courage to Speak

"Livy Lou had no idea what she was supposed to say until she heard, 'Use your heart, be yourself, and make people's day.'"  Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak by Sally Lou Loveman is a heartwarming picture book about courage, confidence, and discovering your own voice.  The story follows Livy Lou Lovely, a young girl who struggles with the fear of speaking in front of others. Like many children, Livy Lou feels nervous and unsure when it comes to public speaking. Everything begins to change when she attends a television show with her mom. Faced with a new and exciting experience, Livy Lou makes a brave decision: she relies on her inner voice and chases her dreams. That simple choice becomes the moment she begins to discover her voice.  What makes this story meaningful is how relatable Livy Lou’s experience is. Many children feel shy or anxious about speaking up, whether in class, at home, or in front of a crowd. Livy Lou starts just like any other child, scared and he...
Post a Comment
Read more

Molly Tells the World: A Gentle Reminder That Being Different Is Okay 

Molly Tells the World by Krista Weltner is a touching children’s story that explores dyslexia, self-acceptance, and the quiet fears many children carry with them. Our main character is Molly, a kind and intelligent young girl who has dyslexia but is terrified of letting her friends know. Like many children her age, Molly just wants to be normal, to fit in, to be liked, and to avoid standing out for the “wrong” reasons.  Molly’s fear is relatable. Children with learning differences often feel pressured to hide their struggles, worried that others might see them as less capable, strange, or even unlikable. This emotional reality is portrayed with great sensitivity in the story. Molly is not shown as weak or incapable, in fact, she is good at school, friendly, and smart. Yet behind that confident exterior, she carries anxiety and self-doubt about her dyslexia, which makes her character feel very real.  Everything begins to shift when a new presence enters Molly’s life, Leeann. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Book of Kindness Review: Teaching Empathy Through Stories

  "Kindness is like my mom," Said the boy. "She's always with me and always there for me!" If you’re looking for a heartwarming children’s book that gently teaches empathy, compassion, and kindness, The Book of Kindness by Egor Klopenko is a wonderful choice.  This beautifully crafted picture book features eight short stories, each centered around themes of kindness, generosity, understanding, and empathy. The purpose of the book is clear and meaningful: to nurture compassion from a young age and help children discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from caring for others. Through simple yet impactful storytelling, the book shows how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world around us.  One of the good points of this book is its accessibility. The stories are easy to understand, thoughtfully written, and never overly complicated for young readers. Each story flows smoothly, making it ideal for independent reading, bedtime stories, or...
Post a Comment
Read more