Guest Post: Syrian American Children's Book Author, Sahtinay Abaza

My name is Sahtinay Abaza. I’m an American Syrian whose ancestors are from the North Caucasus. I grew up in the United Arab Emirates before moving to the United States. Having spent most of my career working with software companies, I never imagined I would be a children’s book author. But when I became a mother of two little girls, I admired how fun and whimsical the holidays are here in the States. Far from extended family, I wanted my girls to experience the same excitement I felt growing up around the Muslim holidays we celebrate. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an engaging tale to share with them about Ramadan or the Eid holidays.

Few books feature Muslim protagonists, and the ones that do often center around a Muslim child who is struggling to fit in – something I didn’t want to expose my children to at such a young age. My husband and I both have extended family in Syria, and we have seen firsthand how cruel the world can be. While sharing stories of struggle is important, especially for older kids, it is equally important for all children to see themselves in fun and light-hearted stories that are filled with hope. Stories where a protagonist who looks like them is the hero of an exciting adventure, not a victim trying to fit in. These stories help our children experience a happy and joyful childhood while growing into strong, confident individuals capable of overcoming the challenges that life will throw their way. That is why I decided to take matters into my own hands and write my first picture book, “Looking for the Eid Moon.”

Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, “Looking for the Eid Moon,” is inspired by the old Muslim tradition of sighting the moon. One night, the crescent moon signals the arrival of Eid al-Fitr (a holiday that celebrates the end of fast), and one night, it signals a ten-day countdown to Eid al-Adha (a holiday that celebrates the end of pilgrimage). In this story, Sara and Lulu can’t wait for Eid to arrive. Determined to be the first to spot the crescent moon, they pack a pair of binoculars, a blanket, and a flashlight into their backpacks and go on a little quest to find the moon. This book celebrates the special bond between sisters and how the holidays shared with loved ones is always filled with magic. Released in March 2024 by Sleeping Bear, this story won the SCBWI Emerging Voices award.

My second book, “The Ramadan Drummer,” is about a boy named Adam, who learns about the Ramadan drummers who once strolled the streets before sunrise to wake everyone for their last meal before fast. One night, whether in a dream or reality, Adam wakes up to the sound of a beating drum. He sneaks out of his house and follows the sound until he meets the Ramadan Drummer. But as people start to wake up, Adam hears whispers drifting from the homes he passes by. That is when he learns that during Ramadan, every act of kindness is rewarded tenfold. Published in Jan 2024 by Reycraft, this story won the 2024 Junior Library Guild award and the 2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book Award.

Each book offers a fun and light holiday read while introducing an old Muslim tradition for kids to enjoy in a simple and engaging way. To learn more about my books, you can visit https://abazabooks.com/

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