Cookies and Crescents: An Eid Story by Nada Shawish Dutka illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia
We can always use more Eid al Fitr stories, but to stand out in an increasingly crowded field, really requires something special, impeccable story telling, and repeatability. Unfortunately for me, this book just comes up short. Food centered books are already so over done, toss in small font that nearly bleeds into the binding where you would hold the book for story times, top it off with a vague story lacking the OWN voice charm that a religious holiday centered book, by a Muslim, that is noted to be slightly autobiographical should have, and the recipe is just going to feel lacking. There isn’t anything “wrong” with the book, it just doesn’t really seem like it will be memorable or asked for again. Focusing on a mom and daughter moving the night before Eid, the book has elements of adjustment, new traditions, change, nerves, salat, iftaar, looking for the moon and making a new friend- layers that should resonate with readers, but somehow for me, stayed on the surface of this 32 page book for preschool to early elementary aged children.
The book starts with the protagonist talking about the city where she was born, the community, the family atmosphere, and her mama’s famous Eid cookies. But this year will be different, it is almost Eid and Reem and her mama are moving away from the city to a house with a yard. Reem is not excited, in fact, she spends much of the drive feeling carsick. Once they arrive it is time to unpack, break their fast, pray and look for the moon. The excitement of making making cookies with her Mama sustains her, until she notices the walnuts are missing. Change is inevitable, and Mama is determined to show Reem that they can make do with what they have. When neighbors come over to welcome them to the neighborhood, a new friend might be just what Reem needs to settle in.
The book seems to be deliberately vague, and I don’t know that it will bother children, but it bothered the journalist in me. Why are they moving, what city are they leaving, is Sarah Muslim or just knows to say Eid Mubarak, but doesn’t say walaikumasalam. I also feel like the publisher didn’t properly invest in the book. The text is tiny, when ample space is available on nearly every spread. Blocks of text on the lower inner binding make one’s hand cover the words when reading to a group, and certain paragraphs seem to be erroneous or at the very least awkward. Take for example this paragraph when they are unpacking, that I stumbled over every time I read it. “Tonight, it’ll be just me and Mama who look from between tall boxes.” Maybe it is in reference to looking for the moon, but the next page does have her and Mama planning to look for the moon. Similarly, when the walnuts can’t be found, Reem wants to go back, but Mama says the store is too far. The mother in me was fuming that she didn’t see it was more than about the nuts, go give the girl a hug. Earlier Reem remarks that “Finally, Mama kept her promise,” in regards to the cookies, but is it finally they are making cookies or does Mama not normally keep her promises. I know I’m being picky, but it starts to add up, the reader doesn’t feel that Mama and Reem are in this together. That they listen to each other. So it is hard to get emotionally invested. And when I review I try and unearth why a book doesn’t work for me, and all these little hiccups for me, become obstacles that keep the book from being great. Sadly all it needs is some good editing and my critiques really could have been resolved, sigh.
Even though the book is set at Eid, and shows the mom and daughter praying, they say salaam, they look for the moon, there is no real Eid as a religious holiday stressed, the focus is the cookies and the new friend. Culture also seems to be noticeably absent, the cookies are Arab, the phrase “Al Harakah Barakah” is Arabic, but it isn’t sourced, the reader is never told where that sentiment comes from and it isn’t explored as much as the inner flap would suggest. The book concludes with an author’s note and a recipe for ma’amoul.
