Zain (brown-skinned) is excited when Teita arrives from Egypt. He’s even more excited to be helping Teita make ka’ak for Eid, eager to share the cookies steeped in culture, tradition, and family with his classmates. As they bake, Teita shares memories of making ka’ak with Zain’s mama when she was a girl in Egypt, along with cultural history about the cookies that are “as ancient as the pharaohs.” Mama scoops out mounds of dough “round and smooth like Ramadan’s full moon.” When Zain struggles with pressing the cookies into the ka’ak mold to imprint a design, Teita says, “El sabr gameel,” reminding him that “patience is beautiful.” Sharing is beautiful, too, and Zain innovates his own way to decorate the treats that he proudly offers at school on Monday. A buoyant picture book seamlessly integrating cultural and religious elements and Arabic phrases is set against blithe mixed-media illustrations buzzing with neon-bright punctuations of pink and orange and glowing with love and affection. (Ages 4-8)

★ "A beautiful story of joy, tradition, and family."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Celebrate the end of Ramadan with this luminous Muslim family story about faith, history, and delicious foods.

On the night before Eid, it's finally time to make special sweet treats: Teita's famous ka'ak. Zain eagerly unpacks the ingredients from his grandmother's bulky suitcase: ghee from Khalo Karim, dates from Amo Girgis, and honey from Tant Tayseer--precious flavors all the way from Egypt. Together with Mama and Teita, Zain follows his family's recipe and brings to life Eid songs and prayers, pharaonic history, and the melodies and tastes of his Egyptian heritage This Muslim holiday story, featuring a delicious ka'ak recipe, is a satisfying addition to a joyful and expansive Eid.

A CCBC Children's Choice Best Book of the Year