Yipee, Eid al-Adha is right around the corner! I get really giddy when the holidays approach 
Doesn’t it feel like the second Eid comes around so quickly – it’s like an unexpected surprise, similar to finding a twenty dollar bill in your coat pocket! To get the kids in the mood and to teach them about this Eid and the Hajj, I purchased a few books for them a few years back and pull them out when Dhul Hijjah begins. Granted, there aren’t as many children’s books on Hajj and Eid al-Adha compared to books on Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. I’ve highlighted my personal favorites in this post. Do you have any other books on the second Eid that you would recommend?
- The Three Muslim Festivals by Aminah Ibrahim Ali. This is a wonderful book to own because it highlights all the special holidays that Muslims celebrate: Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha. The Eid al-Adha story is a charming tale about a boy named Ahmad whose parents leave for Hajj. He is initially sad to see them leave, but his grandparents do a great job cheering him up. The stories of Hajar and Ismail (as), Ibrahim (as) and the sacrifice, and the reason for some of the rites of Hajj are discussed . On the day of Eid, Ahmed does a lot of Takbir, eats yummy food, plays with his friends, and watches a video about Hajj. In it, he learns more about the specific steps of Hajj. As the day goes on, he learns about charity and what it means to sacrifice.
- The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin. This book is gorgeously illustrated and the story itself is very captivating. It’s about a girl named Aneesa, whose parents are also gone for Hajj. Her grandmother decides to cheer her up by gifting her three beautiful outfits, for each day of Eid. At the prayer, Aneesa meets two sisters who are refugees to the country. She comes up with a plan to make Eid special for them, a great tale of empathy and sacrifice!
- Tell Me About Hajj by Saniyasnain Khan. This book highlights the pilgrimage to Makkah, going over the history behind it and the rites and rituals of the great journey. It discusses the story of Hajar and Ismail (as), when they were alone in the desert and she was searching frantically for water. Kids love hearing the story of the Zam Zam water! It also goes over the story of Ibrahim (as)’s great sacrifice. Beautifully illustrated with photographs throughout, this book is a keeper that is great for older children who are curious about Hajj. It was a great read for me as an adult too!
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