Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl works through her feelings in poetic Ramadan story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
RAMADAN RAIN starts with a little girl in a head scarf looking out the window on a bus on a rainy day when the weather fits her mood. Momma tries to cheer her up by telling her, "Rain brings blessings... And duas, or prayers, said on a rainy day get answered. Especially during Ramadan." When she gets to the mosque she thinks about praying for shoes but remembers Momma said: "We can't afford new shoes." Once inside, she joins other cute kids in making cards for the coming holiday of Eid, at the end of Ramadan. She writes "Eid Moobarak" on hers, a kid-like spelling of "Eid Mubarak," which means "Blessed Eid," although it's not translated in the text. She draws colorful new dresses and shoes on stick figures of her and Momma, and adds "plushies" she sees other kids have, hoping to get some on Eid, when gifts are given. But she thinks, "I'm not sure I'll get toys, even for Eid." She prays and is happily surprised on Eid. Then she gives Momma a new card filled not with pictures of things but of her and Momma together with a heart, rain, and sun above them, and tells Momma, "I got what I wanted most of all."
Is It Any Good?
This warm, gentle book shows a kid moving from a focus on what she wants (things that other kids have) to a place of gratitude for what she has: her loving relationship with her mom. Ramadan Rain depicts the relatable journey of a kid working through her emotions in the context of a religious observance that's about "family, friends, and faith." It's also a multilayered story that shows how young kids can sense the economic differences between their family and others'. Illustrator Aliaa Betawi's art is beautiful in a soft palette of oranges and blues. And her kid characters are adorable. Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow's poetic text zeroes in on candid emotions ("The bus groans and sags. Sags and groans. I groan and sag along.") and sensory impressions ("We push through glass doors. Step into plush carpet stitched with endless silvery rows. Step under a high ceiling with lights that hang like raindrops."). The text uses untranslated Arabic vocabulary related to Islam (the only translated word is "duas," which means "prayers"). The lack of a glossary, back matter, or explanation of Ramadan or Eid will not be an issue for those already in the know, but readers interested in learning more deeply about these Muslim religious observances may need to do some extra research.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the holy month of Ramadan and its holiday of Eid are celebrated in Ramadan Rain. Why are fasting and prayers part of the ritual?
Why does the author set the story at a time when it's raining? How does the rain affect—or reflect how little Haneen is feeling?
At first Hanneen focuses on things she wants—shoes, toys, new clothes—then is thankful for the gift of her mom and the blessing of rain. Why is it important to show gratitude? What are you grateful for?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Aliaa Betawi
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Faith , Family Stories ( Moms ) , Holidays ( Ramadan )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Studio
- Publication date : March 10, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 9, 2026
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