CELEBRATING RAMADAN by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, Holiday House Inc. 2001, hard cover, 32 pages, $16.95

In the aftermath of the tragic events of Sept. 11, libraries and bookstores report that interest in the Islamic faith has grown rapidly. Most Americans don’t know much about this ancient and respected world religion and its deep ties with Judaism and Christianity. This is not at all surprising.

Even as our schools have moved from Christmas-only celebrations to include Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, Ramadan has been largely neglected. Resources for research papers have been meager and, for the most part, rather dull.

This drive for understanding is wonderful. Those of us who are parents or teachers are faced with a marvelous opportunity to go on a journey of discovery with our children, to open a fascinating new window in our world. Sharing Diane Hoyt-Goldsmiths “Celebrating Ramadan” is a great way to embark on this journey.

In “Celebrating Ramadan,” we follow nine-year-old Ibraheem and his family through the rituals and traditions of this important month-long time of fasting and prayer. Adults and older children abstain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours as a way of showing their obedience to and faith in Allah [God] and empathy for poor people. They also examine their relationships with friends and relatives, making amends for past hurts and quarrels. Ramadan ends with community prayer and family feasting and gift giving.

The history and fundamental beliefs and traditions of the Islamic faith are conveyed succinctly in sidebars. It becomes clear that for Muslims their religion is also a way of life.

The basic requirements for worshipping Allah and obeying His commandments – The Five Pillars of Islam – permeate all aspects of a person’s or family’s routine. They are Shahadra (declaring that there is but one God, Allah, and Muhammed is His prophet); Salat (praying five times a day); Sawm (fasting during Ramadan each year); Zakat (giving money or goods to help the poor); Hajj (traveling at least once in one’s life to Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, if possible).

Many followers of Christianity and Judaism will be surprised to learn of the interconnectedness of all three monotheistic religions. The Qu’ran, Islam’s holy book, includes the stories of Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus who are considered great prophets. Muhammed, Islam’s most important prophet, was a descendant of Abraham. One of the two most important religious holidays for Muslim’s, the Eid al-Adha, Feast of the Sacrifice, celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for his faith.

Written descriptions in “Celebrating Ramadan” are succinct and lively. But what really makes the book are the photographs.

Ibraheem and his family graciously allow us to enter their personal world. While much of what we see is unique to the Islamic community, for example, when Ibraheem demonstrates the five steps of a unit of prayer, many details of the pictures are reassuringly familiar.

Young children will enjoy the warmth of a father reading to his sons or a mother hugging her daughter. Older siblings will relate to Ibraheem’s determination to fulfill a difficult challenge and pride in succeeding. Very few kids will be unmoved by the excitement and joy of the Eid al-Fitr, The Feast of Breaking the Fast that ends Ramadan, when young people dress up in their best clothes, eat favorite foods, and receive presents.

An interest in cooking and fondness for sweets are traits shared by youngsters of all faiths. So a nice touch is the inclusion of a very child-friendly recipe. Mixing the dough by hand, cutting it into shapes, and dusting the finished cookies with powdered sugar are tasks ideally suited to little hands.

The only disappointment in this book is the lack of a bibliography or list of resources for further study. So you and your family will have to use your initiative and imagination to continue your journey of discovery.

Visit your local library. Seek out community study groups. Find a cookbook featuring Middle Eastern foods and try the recipes that catch your fancy. Listen to traditional music. Get to know a Muslim neighbor. Visit a masjid – a mosque – a place of worship.

Especially if you have young children, every step you take toward understanding is a step away from fear.