Ramadan: A Reading Guide for Extensive English Reading [Non-fiction]
This article is a spin-off from the series "Reading Guide for Extensive Reading" in the English learning magazine ❄Tacho Tadoku Magazine❄. It introduces excellent recommended books (English books) selected by experts in extensive reading.
Non-fiction Edition - February 2025 Issue -
Written by: Akiko Ito (Member of the Extensive Reading Association of Japan, Certified Public Accountant)
Ramadan
When doing business with foreign countries, it is necessary to plan schedules while taking into account the specific holidays of those countries.
For example, the Lunar New Year in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, or Ramadan in Islamic countries.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Muslims fast during this approximately one-month period.
Although it varies slightly by country and region, Ramadan in 2025 is expected to be from around February 28 to March 29 in the solar calendar.
In recent years, many readers for children about Muslims have been published, and this time I will introduce two books on the theme of Ramadan from among them.
The first book is Tell Me More about Ramadan . The protagonist, a girl named Laila, learns about Ramadan in her daily life.
It is written in a friendly story format so that children can understand the significance of the 30-day month of Ramadan.
The second book is Layla & Zayd Learn about Ramadan. This is a story about an older sister, Layla, and her younger brother, Zayd, learning about Ramadan.
This book is one of the Islam for Kids Series, and the series also has Audible narrations, allowing you to learn the pronunciation of Muslim terms. (As of November 2024, purchasing the narration on Audible included a PDF of the text and was cheaper than the book. However, it is unclear if the PDF will continue to be included, so I recommend checking if the PDF is attached when considering purchasing the narration).
(1) Tell Me More about Ramadan (Islamic Books for Kids)
Publisher: Bachar Karroum
Total word count: 500 words
YL 0.8-1.0
Laila wakes up in the middle of the night and goes downstairs to find the rest of her family eating.
In the morning, conversely, no one but her eats breakfast.
Her father explains to a surprised Laila that the one-month-long Ramadan is starting today.
(2) Layla & Zayd Learn about Ramadan: A Children's Book Introducing Ramadan
Publisher: Sincere Seeker
Total Word Count: 3,900 words
YL 2.0-2.4
A brother and sister learn about Ramadan at school and at home.
Ramadan is not just about fasting; it has important meanings such as deepening faith, experiencing the hardship of hunger and thirst equally to foster a sense of unity, and showing compassion for the less fortunate.
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[Special Feature] Deciphering with 150 English Keywords:
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President Trump has returned to power with the slogan "MAGA (Make America Great Again)." The impact is expected to extend beyond the United States and spread across the entire world.
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