Asking Questions

A Ramadan Night
Author: Nadine Presley
Illustrator: Asma Enayeh
Published

Summary: Celebrate the beginning of Ramadan with a young boy and his father in this nighttime sensory picture book that celebrates the wonder, excitement, and peace of the holiday!

The call for prayer hugs tight the sky of Damascus on the first night of Ramadan. As steps flutter to fill spaces in mosques, Sami sets out on a nighttime walk with Baba to answer his what does a Ramadan night feel like?

Through an evening full of sounds and sights and scents, Sami feels the celebration of community. He feels the connection and calm of prayer. He feels the delight of a late-night dessert. He feels the joy of generosity.

He feels…a Ramadan night.

I am so excited to share this Q&A with author Nadine Presley: 

1. What inspired you to write A Ramadan Night, and what parts of Ramadan were most important for you to include?

I knew I wanted to write a Ramadan book, and I knew I wanted it to capture the wonder, excitement, spirituality, and anticipation that fill the month, especially through a child’s perspective. To begin, I asked children what their favorite part of Ramadan was. Many said the food, which is completely fair, but most of them said the nights. I immediately responded, “Me too.” That was the spark. That was where the story truly began.

I drew deeply from my own childhood memories of growing up in Damascus. I remember walking to the mosque each evening with my prayer rug in hand, noticing the families filling the streets, the way the moon seemed to follow us overhead, the echoes of salaam greeting us at the door. I remember the stillness of prayer, whispering du‘a in sujud, and the quiet sense of accomplishment afterward, especially knowing that something sweet was waiting at home. Those nights felt expansive and intimate all at once, and they have stayed with me.

It was important for me to show that while Ramadan is often understood simply as a month of fasting, it is truly layered and multidimensional. Fasting is central, of course, but Ramadan is also about community, connection, spirituality, prayer, generosity, shared meals, reading Qur’an, and the small childhood joys like staying up past your bedtime. It was important to me to portray Ramadan as an immersive experience, centre atmosphere and emotion rather than explanation, allowing readers not just to learn about Ramadan, but to feel it.

2. What do you hope students take away from this story?

I hope students come away understanding that traditions, whether their own or someone else’s, are meaningful and worth celebrating.

For Muslim children, I hope the book feels like a warm reflection of their lived experiences. I hope they see their nights, their mosques, their Baba, their desserts, and their joy represented with care and authenticity.

For non-Muslim readers, I hope the story sparks curiosity and empathy. I hope it expands their understanding of Ramadan beyond fasting and invites them into its beauty through connection rather than explanation.

3. What do you hope young readers feel when they finish the book?

I hope they feel wonder.

I hope they feel the quiet magic of nighttime, the comfort of walking beside someone you love, and the warmth of belonging to something bigger than yourself.

For some children, I hope the book feels familiar, like looking into a mirror. For others, I hope it feels like a window, opening into a new and beautiful experience.

Most of all, I hope they feel warmth.

4. What was your collaboration process like with your illustrator?

Picture books are such intimate collaborations, and it was incredibly moving to watch the story come to life visually.

One of the most special aspects of this collaboration was something we didn’t even plan. The mosque I had in mind while writing was the Mosque of Badr in Damascus, one of my favorite mosques that I used to go to as a child. Without us ever discussing it, Asma chose to feature that same mosque in the book. When I saw the illustrations, it stopped me in my tracks. It felt like such a tender and beautiful coincidence, almost as if memory itself had guided us both to the same place.

I also love the care given to the details, the architectural elements, the mosaic dome, the warmth of the family’s expressions, the way Syria feels present in the atmosphere of the scenes. And Sami’s little slippers with socks, that detail makes me smile every time. The slippers are such a familiar Syrian masjid look, and it captures the specificity and charm of childhood so perfectly.

The illustrations didn’t simply accompany the text, they expanded it. They added texture, depth, and visual emotion in ways that made the story feel even more lived-in and real.

All in all, it was a truly wonderful experience working with Asma Enayeh, and I am so grateful that our editor, Celia Lee, created what felt like the perfect match.

5. What does authentic representation mean to you in the context of this book?

Authentic representation, to me, begins with emotional truth and cultural specificity. It lives in the small details, the spirituality woven naturally into the night, the rhythm of footsteps on the way to prayer, the way families exchange salaam, the softness and stillness of sujud, the use of familiar and unapologetic terminology.

It was especially important to me to portray an Arab Muslim Baba in a way that feels warm, loving, and proud. Too often in literature, Arab fathers are reduced to stereotypes or positioned at a distance. I wanted this Baba to reflect the fathers I know, engaged, affectionate, spiritually grounded, playful, and fully present in their child’s world. A father who walks beside his child, guides him gently, and shares in the wonder of the night.

Authenticity also meant resisting the urge to over explain. I didn’t want the story to feel like a lesson about Ramadan. I wanted it to feel like Ramadan. By centring atmosphere, emotion, and lived experience, the book becomes immersive rather than instructional.

Muslim children deserve to see their lives reflected with dignity, beauty, and nuance. And non-Muslim readers deserve the opportunity to step into that world through story, through curiosity, connection, and shared humanity rather than simplification.

6. If teachers or librarians wanted to use A Ramadan Night in their classrooms or libraries, what conversations or activities would pair well with it?

I would love for A Ramadan Night to be used as a doorway into conversation, creativity, and connection. Because the story is written as a sensory experience, one natural extension is inviting students to reflect on a special night in their own lives. Teachers might encourage them to write using the five senses. What did the air feel like? What sounds filled the space? What smells or tastes stand out in their memory? This helps children see how everyday moments can become meaningful stories.

The book can also open rich discussions about family traditions and community. Students can share celebrations or rituals that are important in their homes, whether religious or cultural, and notice the common threads that often run through them such as togetherness, gratitude, generosity, connection, and joy. These conversations help children see both the uniqueness and universality of traditions.

Because the story unfolds at night, educators might also explore how nighttime shapes mood in storytelling. What makes staying up late feel magical? How does darkness heighten our senses or make familiar places feel different? This can lead to thoughtful conversations about setting and atmosphere in literature.

Ramadan is also a month centred on generosity and care for others. Classrooms or libraries might extend the themes of the book into a small act of service, such as writing thank-you notes, organizing a donation drive, or brainstorming ways to practice kindness in everyday life. This helps students see that the values in the story are not abstract, but lived.

Finally, I hope the book creates space to talk about representation, why it matters to see yourself reflected in stories, and why it is equally important to read about experiences that may be different from your own. Those conversations build empathy, curiosity, and respect.

Ultimately, I hope A Ramadan Night creates room for wonder, connection, and meaningful dialogue in classrooms, libraries, and homes alike.

About the Author: Nadine Presley is a Syrian Canadian author who loves everything about Ramadan. Her earliest memories of Ramadan go back to her days in Damascus, where she joyfully awaited the month to begin. She now resides in Canada with her husband and three boys, working as a literacy educator. Passionate about anti-racism work and promoting pride in Arab Muslim heritage, she is also a speaker for children, youth, and adults. Her favorite things in the world are big hugs, kind words, and delicious Syrian food—especially during Ramadan.

Thank you to Nadine for this fantastic Q&A and to Simon & Schuster for settig it up!