Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook

In Rahma Road, people from all over the world are preparing food to share as the community gathers for iftar. Both story and cook book, ‘Ramadan on Rahma Road’ offers a peek into each family’s kitchen alongside the recipe that they are preparing.

A real sense of joy and anticipation are created as readers are introduced to delicious food from Nigeria, Malaysia, Egypt and Morocco amongst other places, sharing the excitement of those who prepare them and finding out about the relationships of those making them. The story celebrates not only the festival, but the diversity of the Muslim community around the world.

Bright, colourful illustrations, lively text and tempting recipes combine to make this a very special book. Additional information and further recipes for drinks, main dishes and sweets are included at the end along with photos and messages from the team who created the book. This is a real must-have for developing understanding of the customs of Ramadan, celebrating community joy and sharing and tasting a feast of food!

Ramadan on Rahma Road

Razeena Omar Gutta with recipes by Faaiza Osman and illustrated by Atieh Sohrabi

Barefoot Books ISBN: 978-8888593653

The Midnight Mitzvah

Hanina Chipmunk loves to gather nuts and share these with her friends. She also enjoys the praise and compliments she gets for doing so when Mathilda Squirrel gruffly refuses her help, Hanina can’t understand. Leon Mouse explains to her that Mathilda used to be a champion nut collector and is embarrassed that she now needs help. Helping others is a mitzvah (a good deed), but so is not embarrassing someone, leaving Hanina wondering how to achieve both things. She decides to go and leave nuts at Mathilda’s house at night and is confronted on her journey by a Great Horned Owl. Fortunately for Hanina, the owl is sympathetic to her explanation for being out and about at night and lets her go on her way and accomplish her mission.

A note at the end of the book explains that ‘The Midnight Mitzvah’ was inspired by a 2,000-year-old tale found in the Talmud, one of the most important books in Judaism. However, this lovely story holds an important message for everyone, regardless of their faith. Charity is a wonderful, much needed thing, but is not something which should be done simply for reward or recognition. Hanina enjoys being praised for her good deeds, which is quite natural, but also learns that the outcome of a good deed is more important than this. This delightful story offers much to discuss and would make an excellent text for an assembly or PSHE session in school as well as for sharing at home.

The illustrations are delightful. Full of colour and atmosphere, they convey a sense of the threats of night time for the young chipmunk without being too frightening for little ones. Hanina has such a lovely little face she is sure to appeal to all readers!

Notes at the end of the book offer additional information about other elements of Jewish tradition and culture connected with the story, offering support for those not familiar with these, but keen to learn. It is a lovely book and one which should be added to shelves everywhere!

The Midnight Mitzvah

Ruth Horowitz, illustrated by Jenny Meilihove

Barefoot Books ISBN: 978-8888592359