October History & Heritage Months

Day of the dead

Silva, Sadie.


Thinking of loved ones who have died is often depressing. But in Latin America and Hispanic communities, people celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed. Day of the Dead is a time of great celebration and joy. People make altars called ofrendas with pictures, gifts, treats, and flowers to remember their loved ones and help them on their journey. Families gather for picnics in cemeteries and eat special treats. Parades featuring skeleton costumes and music bring communities together.
Date Published:2022

Thinking of loved ones who have died is often depressing. But in Latin America and Hispanic communities, people celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed. Day of the Dead is a time of great celebration and joy. People make altars called ofrendas with pictures, gifts, treats, and flowers to remember their loved ones and help them on their journey. Families gather for picnics in cemeteries and eat special treats. Parades featuring skeleton costumes and music bring communities together.

Date Published:2022

Eid al-Adha

Mohamed, Mariam,


Eid al-Adha is about celebrating! It is a Muslim festival remembering the sacrifice Ibrahim was willing to make. People mark the festival with prayer, visiting family, and gifts. Some people sacrifice an animal and share the meat with their community. Readers will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.
Date Published:2022

The Eidi bag

Afzal, Shazia,


Sarah is excited to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in her new country. Her mother warns her that things might be different than they were in Pakistan, but that doesn't faze her one bit. She has her Eidi bag ready and expects to receive enough gifts of money from friends and family for new markers and treats for her friends. But when Sarah arrives at the masjid, no one pays any attention to her waiting Eidi bag -- not Sana Khala, not Uncle Hamza, and not even Sister Salma! In Pakistan, her bag would be filled with money and she'd be able to buy goodies and toys. But instead she heads home from prayer feeling sad and disappointed -- and wishing that she'd never left Pakistan. Then, later that day, as friends and family begin to arrive at her house to celebrate Eid, they bring gifts that give Sarah a new perspective and appreciation for the traditions of her adopted country.
Date Published:2025

Sarah is excited to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in her new country. Her mother warns her that things might be different than they were in Pakistan, but that doesn't faze her one bit. She has her Eidi bag ready and expects to receive enough gifts of money from friends and family for new markers and treats for her friends. But when Sarah arrives at the masjid, no one pays any attention to her waiting Eidi bag -- not Sana Khala, not Uncle Hamza, and not even Sister Salma! In Pakistan, her bag would be filled with money and she'd be able to buy goodies and toys. But instead she heads home from prayer feeling sad and disappointed -- and wishing that she'd never left Pakistan. Then, later that day, as friends and family begin to arrive at her house to celebrate Eid, they bring gifts that give Sarah a new perspective and appreciation for the traditions of her adopted country.

Date Published:2025

Erno Rubik and his magic cube

Aradhya, Kerry,


In the hills of Budapest, near the banks of the Danube River, lived a quiet boy named Ernő Rubik. He loved books, art, nature, and—most of all—puzzles. And he grew up to create the most popular puzzle in history. This picture book biography explores the experience and interests that inspired the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube.
Date Published:2024

Hispanic heritage month

Silva, Sadie.


Hispanic people have contributed much to the United States throughout history and today. Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, celebrates Hispanic culture and contributions. This book introduces readers to famous Hispanic figures past and present who have made a difference. Photographs of Hispanic parades and famous people will connect readers to the text. Readers will discover a deeper appreciation for Hispanic culture and the ways in which people can celebrate their culture.
Date Published:2023

Hispanic people have contributed much to the United States throughout history and today. Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, celebrates Hispanic culture and contributions. This book introduces readers to famous Hispanic figures past and present who have made a difference. Photographs of Hispanic parades and famous people will connect readers to the text. Readers will discover a deeper appreciation for Hispanic culture and the ways in which people can celebrate their culture.

Date Published:2023

The home we make

Khwaja, Maham,


A young Muslim girl and her family flee the violence of war and seek refuge in a foreign land, where they must rebuild a sense of home.
Date Published:2024

I am Muslim

Haleem, Amna,


Includes index. Discusses the religion of Islam, practised by Muslims, including their five pillars, their celebrations, daily life and overcoming Islamophobia.
Date Published:2024

Islamic festivals and traditions

Golkar, Golriz,


Each of the major Islamic holidays, festivals, and special days includes unique traditions and customs. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day. At the end of Ramadan, the festival of Eid al-Fitr is a celebration with feasts and acts of kindness. During Eid al-Adha, many Muslims pray together at sunrise and share special foods and gifts with family and friends. Clear text and vibrant photos help readers gain a greater understanding of these and other Islamic traditions.
Date Published:2025

Each of the major Islamic holidays, festivals, and special days includes unique traditions and customs. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day. At the end of Ramadan, the festival of Eid al-Fitr is a celebration with feasts and acts of kindness. During Eid al-Adha, many Muslims pray together at sunrise and share special foods and gifts with family and friends. Clear text and vibrant photos help readers gain a greater understanding of these and other Islamic traditions.

Date Published:2025

Kimchi, Kimchi every day

Kim, Erica,


Various publishers. Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author-illustrator Erica Kim shares her pride in her delicious cultural food through her cut paper art technique. The Hanji paper that is used to illustrate the book comes from a paper mulberry tree native to Korea.
Date Published:2022

Lion on the inside : how one girl changed basketball

Abdul-Qaadir, Bilqis,


True story about Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, a young Muslim-American woman who, at the top of her basketball career, must make a choice between wearing her hijab and playing the sport.
Date Published:2023

Muhammad's recipe for remembering

Ahmad, Maidah,


Various publishers. A moving picture book highlighting a young Muslim boy's efforts to rediscover his family's history in the World Wars. Muhammad wants to take part in his school's assembly to honor veterans, but no one in his community, let alone his family, has been involved in the World Wars... have they? After discussions with his family and elders at his mosque, Muhammad starts to piece together his family's lost history, and realizes that you don't need a trophy or medal to remember those you've lost--it can be as simple as sharing a piece of roti.
Date Published:2024

Various publishers. A moving picture book highlighting a young Muslim boy's efforts to rediscover his family's history in the World Wars. Muhammad wants to take part in his school's assembly to honor veterans, but no one in his community, let alone his family, has been involved in the World Wars... have they? After discussions with his family and elders at his mosque, Muhammad starts to piece together his family's lost history, and realizes that you don't need a trophy or medal to remember those you've lost--it can be as simple as sharing a piece of roti.

Date Published:2024

Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr

Khan, Sara,


Children can follow Raya, her Mama and Aba as they celebrate Ramadan by enjoying Iftar, baking cookies, doing good deeds around their community and visiting the mosque, in this celebratory, inclusive and educational book that features a fun 'factivity' section.
Date Published:2024

Speak up, Santiago!

Anta, Julio,


Graphic novel. Santi is excited to spend the summer in Hillside Valley, meeting the local kids, eating his Abuela's delicious food, exploring! There's just one problem -- Santi doesn't speak Spanish that well and it feels like everyone he meets in Hillside does. There's Sol (she's a soccer player who really loves books), Willie, (the artist), Alejandro (Santi's unofficial tour guide!), and Nico (Alejandro's brother and blue belt in karate). In between all of their adventures in Hillside, Santi can't help but worry about his Spanish -- what if he can't keep up?! Does that mean he's not Colombian enough? Will Santi find his confidence and his voice? Or will his worries cost him his new friendships... and the chance to play in HIlliside's summer soccer tournament?!
Date Published:2025

Graphic novel. Santi is excited to spend the summer in Hillside Valley, meeting the local kids, eating his Abuela's delicious food, exploring! There's just one problem -- Santi doesn't speak Spanish that well and it feels like everyone he meets in Hillside does. There's Sol (she's a soccer player who really loves books), Willie, (the artist), Alejandro (Santi's unofficial tour guide!), and Nico (Alejandro's brother and blue belt in karate). In between all of their adventures in Hillside, Santi can't help but worry about his Spanish -- what if he can't keep up?! Does that mean he's not Colombian enough? Will Santi find his confidence and his voice? Or will his worries cost him his new friendships... and the chance to play in HIlliside's summer soccer tournament?!

Date Published:2025

The wonders we seek : thirty incredible Muslims who helped shape the world

Faruqi, Saadia,


Al-Ma'mun -- Al-Zahrawi -- Ibn al-Haytham -- Ibn Sina -- Saladin -- Razia Sultan -- Jalal al-Din Rumi -- Ibn Battuta -- Zheng He -- Abdul Rahman Ibrahim -- Nana Asma'u -- Naguib Mahfouz -- Noor Inayat Khan -- Malcolm X -- Mohammad Abdus Salam -- Fazlur Rahman Khan -- Ayub Khan Ommaya -- Farouk El-Baz -- Fatima Mernissi -- Muhammad Yunus -- Muhammad Ali -- Rebiya Kadeer -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- Shirin Ebadi -- Yusuf/Cat Stevens -- Benazir Bhutto -- Rana Dajani -- Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy -- Ibtihaj Muhammad -- Malala Yousafzai. Discover the lives, stories, and accomplishments of many great accomplishments of many great Muslims throughout history. Many of the inventions and discoveries that we use in our lives today were created centuries ago -- during the golden age of Muslim empires and beyond. Art, music, astronomy, physics, mathematics, medicine, and so many other files of knowledge were shared and created and discussed in Arabia, Persia, Iraq, and India a very, very long time ago. This tradition of Muslim learning, dedication, and progress continues all across our world up to today.
Date Published:2022

Al-Ma'mun -- Al-Zahrawi -- Ibn al-Haytham -- Ibn Sina -- Saladin -- Razia Sultan -- Jalal al-Din Rumi -- Ibn Battuta -- Zheng He -- Abdul Rahman Ibrahim -- Nana Asma'u -- Naguib Mahfouz -- Noor Inayat Khan -- Malcolm X -- Mohammad Abdus Salam -- Fazlur Rahman Khan -- Ayub Khan Ommaya -- Farouk El-Baz -- Fatima Mernissi -- Muhammad Yunus -- Muhammad Ali -- Rebiya Kadeer -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- Shirin Ebadi -- Yusuf/Cat Stevens -- Benazir Bhutto -- Rana Dajani -- Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy -- Ibtihaj Muhammad -- Malala Yousafzai. Discover the lives, stories, and accomplishments of many great accomplishments of many great Muslims throughout history. Many of the inventions and discoveries that we use in our lives today were created centuries ago -- during the golden age of Muslim empires and beyond. Art, music, astronomy, physics, mathematics, medicine, and so many other files of knowledge were shared and created and discussed in Arabia, Persia, Iraq, and India a very, very long time ago. This tradition of Muslim learning, dedication, and progress continues all across our world up to today.

Date Published:2022