Sami’s Special Gift

PreS-Gr 2–A gift to all readers! Sami’s special day starts with a gift from his late grandfather, mosque for prayers and a buffet; a stop at the butcher to get food to share with a local homeless shelter; and, finally, a carnival to celebrate the holiday. Readers who celebrate Eid al-Adha will enjoy seeing their annual tradition, while readers who do not practice Islam will get a peek into a modern way to celebrate an ancient holiday. Young readers will enjoy the colorful illustrations and following the journey Sami takes with his younger sister Sara throughout the day. Adults will love to use this story as a model to broach conversations about traditions, as well as deeper themes of loss, philanthropy, and homelessness. Back matter contains a glossary and definitions of Eid al-Adha and homeless shelters.