How much fun could a board book have if a board book’s intention were to not make audiences bored? That question is answered in the book’s design and layout. When you make the book innovative and combine that with bright colors and sharp graphics its potential audience is limitless. Thus, EidTale, An Eid as-Fitr Adventure is an Abrams Trail Tale board book that follows its predecessors in being an interactive board book. These thick pages fold out, up and down with the purpose of introducing or allowing pre-k through first graders the chance to share or enjoy a time of the year that they really enjoy.
The common similarity to the other Abrams Trail Tale board books is that they look at the culmination of a holiday and take children through it. SpookyTale, MerryTale, and LunarTale all provide an entertaining look at those respective days and how kids can enjoy them. All of those books, as well as EidTale, are non-secular and do not go deeper than surface level about the holidays. It’s important to point that out because, adults are too sensitive, weird and could get upset about a book being too deep, viewed as disrespectful or as something that’s meant to proselytize. These books are not intended to educate kids about the finer points of any of those days, rather, it takes its queue from one of Poison’s most popular songs about having a good time.
EidTale starts with a family enjoying a meal one night in Ramadan when the kids see the Eid moon. This means that the next morning, as they see the sunrise through the cut-through, they’re getting ready for a party. They get their new clothes out, collect their Eidi envelopes and proceed to give gifts to everyone in their circles of influence. The kids visit the candy shop, people at the shelter, their aunts and uncles before ending their trip at the grand masjid for a party and a feast. Along the way the pages fold out, up or down, illustrating more details that are happening in the city. As with the other Abrams Trail Tale board books, the final two-pages have a massive gatefold that folds out and up, with die-cut elements that will draw in young audiences.
In EidTale it shows the two kids in the courtyard, but when you open up the interactive elements they’re transported inside where they can poke through the circles, fold up the temple’s ceiling, and fold out the party’s atmosphere revealing the feast. This is a board book that’s designed for young readers, but can be enjoyed by anyone. A great example of this is a high school student who just saw the book on my desk. They said that the book was a “10 out of 10”, and had “lots of interactive elements that small kids can touch”.
This is comfort food for those who will celebrate Ramadan, and an overview of Eid, the day that signifies the end of the fast. Again, it’s not a religious book per se. It’s a fun book, complete with a cat on every page, that shows two kids and their families having fun, doing charitable acts and making memories. The interactive elements in the Abrams Trail Tale board books are great for any topic because of their presentation and layout.
As a board book, Abrams Appleseed produces some of the best-made board books you can purchase. For this type of book, the spine is the most important component of its lifespan. We have seen Abrams Appleseed board books that have lasted for years in elementary school classrooms due to their thick, yet pliable pages and the high construction of the joint between the spine and its cover. You don’t think about poorly constructed board books until you use them and realize what a difference the better-constructed ones make. EidTale fits in nicely with the other book in the series and will make those young audiences smile as they read about someone like them, doing what they do.
EidTale: An Eid al-Fitr Adventure is an Abrams Trail Tale board book, and is by Aaliya Jaleel. It’s available on Abrams Appleseed, an imprint of Abrams Books.
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