The Gift of Eid - by Shifa Saltagi Safadi (Hardcover)

About the Book

Based on O. Henry's The gift of the magi.

Book Synopsis

A retelling of the Gift of the Magi, set against the backdrop of the Umayyad Masjid of Damascus, in this picture book from a National Book Award Winner.

With Baba gone, Yasmine doesn't have enough money to buy Mama's Eid gift and can't think of anything she wants for herself when Mama asks. While Mama's haggling with the baker, she gets an idea. And after exchanging gifts with her mom in the Masjid, Yasmine realizes that true Eid joy comes from being together.

Set in the famous Souq al-Hamidiyeh and the Umayyad Masjid of Damascus, this heartfelt story offers a Muslim background to one of the best-loved stories of all time.

Review Quotes

A warm holiday offering.
--Booklist (starred review)

Ultimately, the story is less about Eid traditions and more about the spirit of family mattering more than material items. Hence, this book has wide appeal outside the bounds of library holiday collections. A solid choice for libraries, especially those looking to expand their Arab heritage representation.
--School Library Journal

In a story that focuses on the strong emotional bonds that inspired the ill-fated gift-giving, the pair realize they have all the love they need.
--Publishers Weekly

A tender tale of love, sacrifice and hope.
--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

SHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI is the National Book Award Winning author of Kareem Between, the Amina Banana series, and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature, is a former English teacher, and is passionate about spreading her love of reading and writing through school visits and story-times. Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago with her husband and four children. Visit Shifa online at ShifaSafadi.com and on Instagram @ShifaSaltagiSafadi

Aaliya Jaleel is a Sri-Lankan American illustrator based in Dallas, Texas, who loves illustrating bright, bold color palettes, Islamic and South-Asian inspired patterns, and floral motifs. Some of her past works include the books UNDER MY HIJAB and MUSLIM GIRLS RISE. In addition to being an illustrator, Aaliya also works as a designer for animation.