Whether it is Eid, a new baby, a school graduation, or no occasion at all, a book is one of the few gifts that will still be on a shelf five years from now. The question is which one. These are our recommendations by occasion and by recipient.
For a New Baby
Board books are the right call here, and the ones worth giving as gifts are the ones parents will actually enjoy reading aloud repeatedly. Allah Knows All About Me by Learning Roots is one of the most beloved board books in our catalog for new families. Basma Bear Loves Bismillah and Hafsa's Kisses are both strong choices. If you want to give something that will grow with the child, The ABC of Allah Loves Me works from board book age through early childhood.
For Eid
Eid gifts for children do best when they match what the child is actually reading right now. For a six to nine-year-old who likes adventure and humor, Planet Omar is the standard recommendation. For a nine to twelve-year-old, the Marya Khan series or Kareem Between are both strong Eid gifts. For a teenager who is a serious reader, Better, Not Bitter by Yusef Salaam or Tagging Freedom by Rhonda Roumani will hold up.
For a Teacher or School Librarian
Give something that will be used in the classroom. Ramadan Around the World works well as a class read-aloud. The Eliyas Explains series is useful for school libraries. Kareem Between is the book most likely to become a classroom staple.
For an Adult Reader
A Temporary Gift by Asmaa Hussein is one of the most affecting books we carry. It is a memoir of grief written from within Islam, and it is the kind of book you give to someone going through something hard or to someone you want to share something true with. Khadijah: Mother of History's Greatest Nation by Fatima Barkatulla is a strong gift for a woman who wants to understand one of the most important figures in Islamic history. For the reader who wants serious scholarship, the Imam Ghazali Publishing titles are gifts that get kept.
For No Occasion
Sometimes the best time to give a book is when there is no occasion for it. A book that arrives on a random Tuesday and says I thought of you says more than most Eid gifts. Pick something based on the person, not the holiday.
All of these titles are available at Maktabah Bookshop. We ship across the United States.