The Blessed Pomegranates: A Ramadan Story About Giving

K-Gr 2–A story of kindness and sharing that is embodied in the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Alyah and Adam are excited to help Grandma Essi pick pomegranates from the tree outside her door. The family is celebrating Ramadan, a Muslim holiday of giving. The tree is full of red, ripe fruit and they decide to pick the pomegranates and give them away to friends. They load their fruit into Alyah’s cart, and the three set off to share their bounty with others. Each family they visit eagerly accepts the gift and knows exactly what they will do with the flavorful fruit. When their cart is empty, the trio returns home feeling pleased with their efforts. As the sun sets, their fasting ends and they sit down to eat their iftar (meal) together. It is then they find that their friends have returned their kindness by making syrup, pomegranate stew, and tea to share with them. This story not only highlights Ramadan, but focuses particularly on the importance of giving and sharing. What goes around really does come around. Colorful and engaging art complements the satisfying text. A glossary is found in the back matter.