Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook
What’s inside...
PreS-Gr 3–It’s the holy month of Ramadan, and the families on Rahma Road are having their annual community iftar meal. Each family, whether fasting or not, is lovingly preparing a dish to share, and the delicious offerings are as diverse as the families themselves. Designed as both a story and a cookbook, each spread includes a peek into a family’s kitchen alongside a special recipe. Readers are introduced to recipes from Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, and Mexico, to name a few, while also reading about the relationships that make each dish significant. The collaboration among Gutta’s story, Osman’s recipes, and Sohrabi’s art flows seamlessly as the text, recipes, and illustrations work together to create vibrant pages full of nuance and culturally meaningful details. Gutta and Osman uplift the diversity of the Muslim global community by including names for loved ones in languages like Hausa, Turkish, and Uyghur and recipes from countries that span the continents. Sohrabi’s illustrations, with patterns and compositions reminiscent of Persian art, evoke the potential for food to foster connection and care for one another. The back matter includes information about Ramadan along with many more recipes to try.
Age
6-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about the different ways the characters in the book celebrate Ramadan?
How did the recipes in the story make you feel about the importance of sharing meals with others?
What did you learn about the traditions of Ramadan from the story?
How do you think the characters felt when they came together to celebrate?
Can you think of ways we can bring some of these Ramadan traditions into our own home?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the celebrations and traditions in the book, validating their feelings and thoughts.
Use the recipes mentioned in the book as a conversation starter, asking your child if they would like to try any, and perhaps making one together.
Highlight the themes of community and sharing in the book, asking your child about times when they felt a sense of community.
Relate the book's events to your own family's traditions and ask your child to compare and contrast them with the ones in the book.
After reading, spend some time discussing the importance of cultural understanding and respect, emphasizing the value of learning about different cultures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: In 'Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook', sharing is highlighted as the children and families on Rahma Road exchange dishes and ingredients, fostering a sense of community.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their belongings and snacks with their friends and siblings, cultivating generosity and stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The story celebrates Ramadan, providing insights into the traditions and cultural practices associated with this Islamic holy month, hence promoting multicultural understanding.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to learn about and respect diverse cultures and religions, promoting inclusivity in their interactions with peers from different backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Value of Cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to prepare meals, demonstrating teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning the importance of working collaboratively towards common goals.
Example Lesson: Learning New Skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the children learn different recipes and cooking techniques, enhancing their skills and self-confidence.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to explore cooking simple recipes at home or engage in other new activities, helping them grow their abilities and self-esteem.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Kindness
Explanation: The characters express care and consideration for each other’s needs during Ramadan, emphasizing empathy.
Real-World Application: Teach children the importance of understanding and responding to the feelings and needs of others, which is crucial for building empathetic relationships.