New York: The beloved American children’s book character Curious George is celebrating Ramadan this year — with chocolate-covered bananas, of course.
The just-released children’s book It’s Ramadan, Curious George teaches kids about the Muslim holiday.
It comes amid rising tensions fuelled by worries about Islamist extremism and a heated presidential campaign during which Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States.
US author Hena Khan “wanted to focus on the celebratory aspects” of Ramadan, so George attends family gatherings and accompanies his friend Kareem, who is fasting, to a mosque to put together charity baskets, she told journalists.
A writer of Pakistani origin from Rockville, Maryland, Khan has already written two children’s books about Islam, “but there’s something different about having Curious George, a mainstream, well-known, iconic character recognise your tradition and make you feel included.”
The story assumes the humorous tone of other volumes in the series, which has sold more than 75 million books since it debuted in 1941 and went on to become an animated television series and 2006 feature film.
Khan said the publisher granted her freedom to shape the project, and that she focused on making the holiday approachable.
“It was really a reflection of the way Americans that I know celebrate and observe Ramadan, in a very simple way that’s understandable for children,” the mother of two said.
The book’s release coincides with a particular rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric, she noted.
“There’s a very dangerous narrative being spread about Muslims and inaccurate things being said,” the author said. The book “comes at the right time in terms of trying to promote understanding and tolerance.”
