It is that time of year again when Muslims all over the world observe fasting for a month during Ramazan. But do you know that the holy month is more than just fasting?

Ladybirds’ lift-the-flap book from the First Festivals series tells you all there is to know about Ramazan, which would increase your understanding of the fasting month.

Illustrated by Junissa Hardianto, this book covers every aspect of Ramazan, from waking up at the suhoor to breaking the fast at sunset. Not only that, but it also talks about helping your neighbours, performing tarawih, and waiting for Eidul Fitr, one of the biggest festivals in Islam.

However, it’s the way this book presents these facts that makes it interesting, especially for young readers like you. The lift-the-flap feature helps you understand that Ramazan begins and ends when the moon is sighted, while the illustrations help you recognise who is in need around you.

The way Suhoor and Iftar are drawn in these pages gives you an outsider’s view, whereas the simple text is easy to understand. The gender balancing in these illustrations is good, considering most books feature boys when talking about young people, whereas here both boys and girls are treated equally. If that doesn’t look interesting to you, then maybe the enticing images of Eid would, which marks the end of the holy month.

The book not only would help you and your friends develop an interest in Ramazan, but also make you want to fast in the holy month. If your parents don’t agree, ask them for a reason and if it’s valid, you can wait another year. However, if you don’t agree with the reason and believe that you are old enough to observe a fast, then you have this book to support your claim. It would explain to them that you want to observe a fast because it will help you become a good person who helps others in need, learn patience over the 30-day period, and be part of a culture that has been impressing others for over 1500 years.

Lift the flaps to reveal the moon, look inside the mosque and open the Eid presents!

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 21st, 2026