Morocco
Picture Books
Alya and the Three Cats
By Amina Hachimi Alaoui, Mehdi Retnani (Translator), Maya Fidawi (Illustrator)
Alya and the Three Cats. Amina Hachimi Alaoui. Translated by Mehdi Retnani. Illustrated by Maya Fidawi. CrackBoom! Books, Montreal, 2020. Originally published in Arabic by Yanbu Al Kitab, in Casablanca, in 2016. ISBN 9782898022364. 32 p. (Ages 2-4). Picture book.
Three curious cats watch the changes that come when their owner becomes pregnant and brings home a new baby. With time their uncertainty turns to love for the newcomer. Good for preparing little children for a new sibling. Well and widely reviewed by the international literature community. Also available in French as Alya et les trois chats. [ea]
Israel
Picture Books
Just One More Thing... and Then Bedtime
By Menahem Halberstadt, Romy Ronen (Translator)
Just One More Thing…and Then Bedtime. Menahem Halberstadt. Translated by Romy Ronen. Green Bean Books, 2023. Originally published in Hebrew by M. Mizrahi Publishing House, in Israel, in 2021. ISBN 9781784389475. 32 p. (Ages 3-7). Picture book.
A tired dad tries to put his preschool daughter and baby son to bed, but his talkative daughter’s observations about all the things she is thankful for – some mundane, some absurd – slow down the process. A nice blend of messy but loving real life and flights of fancy, illustrated in a cozy, cartoon style with a warm palette. The author is a well-known Israeli illustrator; this is the first book he has both written and illustrated. See this brief Q&A for some background about the book. [ayg]
The Mermaid in the Bathtub
By Nurit Zarchi, Tal Goldfajn (Translator), Rutu Modan (Illustrator)
The Mermaid in the Bathtub. Nurit Zarchi. Translated by Tal Goldfajn. Illustrated by Rutu Modan. Yonder: Restless Books for Young Readers, 2019. Originally published as Ambatyam in Hebrew by Am Oved, in Tel Aviv, in 2001. ISBN 9781632062116. 40 p. (Ages 5-10). Picture book.
This modernist riff on “The Little Mermaid” begins, “The day Mr. Whatwilltheysay found a mermaid sitting in his best armchair, he ran out of his apartment and wandered the streets until evening.” And so it goes… the fastidious protagonist avoids the mermaid, Grain-of-Sand, and the increasingly watery chaos in his apartment. But when she leaves, he is desperate to find her again. The comics-style illustrations by acclaimed graphic novelist Rutu Modan are full of clever details. When the couple is reunited it is on Grain-of-Sand’s terms – happily ensconced in Mr. Whatwilltheysay’s bathtub-cum-boat, on the open sea under a yellow pancake moon. [ayg]
Room for Rent
By Leah Goldberg, Jessica Setbon (Translator), Shmuel Katz (Illustrator)
Room for Rent. Leah Goldberg. Translated by Jessica Setbon. Illustrated by Shmuel Katz. Gefen Publishing House, 2018. Originally published as Dira Lehaskir in Hebrew by Sefarim Poalim in Tel Aviv, in 1983. ISBN 9789652299208. 24 p. (Ages 3-8). Picture book.
The animal inhabitants of an apartment building advertise for a new tenant. Each prospective renter finds fault with one of the neighbors, until the peace-loving Dove arrives. A modern classic of Israeli children’s literature. [ayg]
Middle Grade
Adam & Thomas
By Aharon Appelfeld, Jeffrey M. Green (Translator), Philippe Dumas (Illustrator)
Adam & Thomas. Aharon Appelfeld. Translated by Jeffrey M. Green. Illustrated by Philippe Dumas. Seven Stories Press, 2015. Originally published as Yalda Shelo Minhaolam Hazé (A Girl from Another World) in Hebrew by Kinneret Zmora-Bitan Dvir, in Modi’in, Israel, in 2013. ISBN 9781609806347. 149 p. (Ages 10 and up). Fiction.
It’s World War II in Poland, and the Jews have been rounded up to live in a ghetto. Adam and Thomas, two nine-year-olds, have been brought separately to the forest by their mothers to hide for the day. The boys find one another and join forces to survive for months, since neither mother returns that day. Adam “knows this forest and everything that’s in it” and Thomas is a great reader who does well in school. They survive by learning from each other and working together; benefiting from the kindness of others; and, in turn, helping others as they can. Master artist Philippe Dumas evokes the changing moods of the boys and the forest in sensitive ink-and-wash illustrations. More of a meditation on how to be in the world than a straightforward account of survival, the narrative raises philosophical questions of faith and more through the boys’ conversations. [ayg]
From Foe to Friend & Other Stories
By S.Y. Agnon, Shay Charka (Illustrator)
From Foe to Friend & Other Stories. S.Y. Agnon. A graphic novel by Shay Charka. Translated and adapted by Jeffrey Saks. The Toby Press, 2014. Originally published as Shay veAgnon: Sheloshah Sippurim in Hebrew by Schocken Publishing House Ltd., in Tel Aviv, in 2012. ISBN 9781592643950. 48 p. (Ages 12 and up). Graphic novel.
Well-known Israeli cartoonist Shay Charka has brought three of Nobel Prize winner Agnon’s stories – two of them regularly taught to Israeli children though they were also published for adults -- to a new audience. The artwork is engaging, accessible, and studded with little touches referencing Jewish history. “The Fable of the Goat” is particularly poignant. [ayg]
Qatar
Picture Books
Hamda and Fisaikra
By Kaltham Al-Ghanim, Andy Smart (Translator), May Al-Mannai (Illustrator)
Hamda and Fisaikra. Kaltham Al-Ghanim. Translated by Andy Smart. Illustrated by May Al-Mannai. Hamid Bin Khalifa University Press, 2011. Originally [or possibly simultaneously] published as حمدة وفسيكرة in Arabic by Hamid Bin Khalifa University Press, in Doha, Qatar, in 2011. ISBN 9992178876. 46 p. (Ages 6-8). Picture book.
Hamda, the daughter of a fisherman, saves a fish and gains a guardian to aid her escape from her difficult and drab life in this richly illustrated Qatari version of a Cinderella story. A variation for children familiar with the Western version and looking for a twist. [ea]
The Light of Hope
By Basmah El Khaṭīb, Ghenwa Yehia (Translator), Bilal Bassal (Illustrator)
The Light of Hope. Basmah El Khaṭīb. Translated by Ghenwa Yehia. Illustrated by Bilal Bassal. Hamid Bin Khalifa University Press, 2018. Originally published as Kandil Alma in Arabic by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press in Doha, in 2018. ISBN 9789927129681. [unpaged]. (Ages 4-9). Picture book.
A young girl makes her way through a dark forest without losing her hope. An allegorical tale useful for talking about overcoming difficulties by a popular children’s author. [ea]
Mah and Me
By Ibtihaj Al-Harthi
Mah and Me. Ibtihaj Al-Harthi. Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, 2019. Originally published as أنا وماه in Arabic by Bloomsbury, in 2015, in Qatar. ISBN 9789927119675. 32 p. (Ages 4 and up). Picture book.
A young boy is devastated by the news of his grandmother’s death. Reminiscing about their time together on her date farm, his mother helps him to understand they will never truly be separated. This book is perfect for talking to children about grief and loss. 2015 Etisalat Award Winner for Best Text. [ea]
Turkey
Picture Books
The Red Apple
By Feridun Oral
The Red Apple. Feridun Oral. minedition, 2015. Originally published as Kirmizi elma in Turkish by YKY, in Istanbul, in 2008. ISBN 9888240005. 28 p. (Ages 3-5). Picture book.
Forest animals work together to pick an out-of-reach apple for a hungry rabbit in the cold of winter. Pairs well with The Mitten by Jan Brett, a well-loved winter story about collaboration between forest animals. On USBBY’s 2016 list of Outstanding International Books. [ea]
Palestine
Picture Books
The Blue Pool of Questions
By Māyā Abū al-Ḥayyāt, Hanan Awad (Translator), Hassan Manasrah (Illustrator)
The Blue Pool of Questions. Māyā Abū al-Ḥayyāt. Translated by Hanan Awad. Illustrated by Hassan Manasrah. Penny Candy Books, 2017. Originally published in Arabic by Birzeit: Palestine Writing Workshop, in Palestine, in 2016. ISBN 9780997221985. 32 p. (Ages 4 and up). Picture book.
A man asks one question, and another, until his questions begin to fill the busy city that has no time for him. Taking a dive into the pool, he teaches a lesson about curiosity and courage. Educators have paired this poetic book with events on asking obvious or difficult questions, and questions from around the world can be found at #bluepoolofquestions on X (formerly Twitter). Event prompts, directions, prompts and a sample poster can be found at Curious City. Winner of a 2016 Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, illustration category. [ea]
Sitti's Bird: A Gaza Story
By Malak Mattar
Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story. Malak Mattar. Translated by Interlink staff. Crocodile Books, 2022. ISBN 9781623718251. 32 p. (Ages 4-8). Picture book.
Malak loved her life in Gaza, watching the fish in the sea, seeing her friends at school and feeding her grandmother's bird. When she questions if her family is trapped like the bird, her grandmother advises her to escape the confines of her life in her imagination. While sheltering during the 2014 bombings in Gaza, Malak heeds this advice and finds strength through painting. This book provides an entry point to discussion of life in Gaza or of war with children. The book is based on the experiences of its now teenage artist/author who grew up and lives in Gaza. Mattar's work has been exhibited around the world. [ea]
Middle Grade
Thunderbird: Book One
By Sonia Nimir, M. Lynx Qualey (Translator)
Thunderbird: Book One. Sonia Nimir. Translated by M. Lynx Qualey. University of Texas Press, 2022. Originally published as طائر الرع in Arabic by Tamer Institute, in Jerusalem, in 2016. ISBN 1477325816. 128 p. (Ages 10-13). Fiction.
Destiny has called for Noor, a 13-year-old Palestinian orphan, to fulfill a prophecy and keep the human and djinn worlds from colliding. Sent to collect four magical feathers, her quest takes her across time and to encounters with a feline djinn and powerful doppelganger versions of herself. Bringing together Ottoman, Mamluk and Ayyubid-era Palestine, this fast-paced fantasy is the first of a three-part trilogy. [ea]
Lebanon
Middle Grade
Ghady & Rawan
By Fatimma Sharafeddine and Samar Mahfouz Barraj, Sawad Hussain and M. Lynx Qualey (Translators)
Ghady & Rawan. Fatima Sharafeddine and Samar Mahfouz Barraj. Translated by Sawad Hussain and M. Lynx Qualey. University of Texas Press, 2019. Originally published as غدي وروان in Arabic by دار الساقي in Beirut, in 2013. ISBN 1477318526. 134 p. (Ages 12-14). Fiction.
Two Lebanese eighth graders, Ghady and Rawan exchange emails to maintain their friendship during the school year when Ghady lives in Belgium. Ghady writes about his homesickness and social struggles and Rawan writes about her sometimes-difficult relationship with her family. They lean on each other to shoulder the burdens of life in both societies and celebrate one another’s successes. Bridges middle grade and YA, as subject matter leans older than writing style, including discussion of racism, xenophobia, bullying and cannabis. [ea]
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad
By Nahiba Mheidly, Maha Alhusseini (Translator), Louijaina al Aseel (Illustrator)
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad. Nahiba Mheidly. Translated by Maha Alhusseini. Illustrated by Loujaina Al Aseel. Dar Alhadaek, 2021. ISBN 6144392661. 72 p. (Ages 7-12). Nonfiction.
This book provides an engaging way to teach key stories and lessons from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and historical details on the origins of Islam. Colorful illustrations and Qur’anic verses punctuate the work. Written by a three-time Etisalat Award-winning author. [ea]
Jordan
Middle Grade
The Little Green Drum
By Taghrīd ʻĀrif Najjār, Lucy Coats (Adapted by), Hassan Manasrah (Illustrator)
The Little Green Drum (Early Reader). Taghrīd ʻĀrif Najjār. Adapted by Lucy Coats. Illustrated by Hassan Manasrah. Orion Children’s Books, 2015. Originally published as ما المانع in Arabic by Al Salwa Publishers, in Amman, in 2013. ISBN 1444014358. 73 p. (Ages 6-9). Early chapter book.
This year young Samia must take over for her father in waking up the village for suhoor (breakfast) before their daily Ramadan fast. Braving her father’s worries and the dangers of the pre-dawn night, Samia ends up bringing the children of the town together in a Ramadan celebration. Shortlisted for the Etisalat Award for Children's Literature, this book is a good option for children looking to get excited about Ramadan or to learn about something new. The book does include musical scenes, which some Muslims may object to. Coats worked with the author to retell her story in English. Najjār has written a large number of well received and acclaimed books translated from Arabic to English including The Ghoul and Watermelon Madness. [ea]
Iran
Picture Books
In the Meadow of Fantasies
By Mohammad Hadi Mohammadi, Sara Khalili (Translator), Nooshin Safakhoo (Illustrator)
In the Meadow of Fantasies. Mohammad Hadi Mohammadi. Translated by Sara Khalili. Illustrated by Nooshin Safakhoo. Elsewhere Editions, 2021. Originally published as Haft Asb Haft Rang in Farsi by the Institute for Research on the History of Children’s Literature, Tehran, in 2017. ISBN 9781939810908. 42 p. (Ages 3-7). Picture book.
Seven horses, six colorful and one mysteriously colorless, transport a young disabled girl from her bed to a dreamy world where she learns of the power of compassion and imagination. Winner of the 2022 Batchelder Award. [ea]
Middle Grade
A Sweet Jam
By Hūshang Murādī Kirmānī, Caroline Croskery (Translator)
A Sweet Jam. Hūshang Murādī Kirmānī. Translated by Caroline Croskery. CreateSpace, 2015. Originally published as مرباى شيرين in Farsi in 1998/1999 by Muʻīn in Tehran. ISBN 1507886241. 158 p. (Ages 9-12). Fiction.
A stuck jam jar sends 12-year-old Jalal to his teachers, neighbors, family, and anyone else who can help. Jalal’s mission to eat his breakfast contains a story of courage, persistence, and community. Well known within Iran, Kermani’s work has been widely translated and regularly wins international book awards. [ea]
Syria
Middle Grade
Wild Poppies
By Haya Saleh
Wild Poppies. Haya Saleh. Translated by M. Lynx Qualey. Levine Querido, 2023. Originally published as شقائق النعمان in Arabic by Dar al-Yasmine in Amman. ISBN 9781646142019. 178 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
Oscar works to keep his family intact after their displacement during the Syrian war and the death of his father. He faces a new challenge when his younger brother becomes a child soldier. Heavy themes are delivered in a way appropriate for a mature young audience. The Arabic version was the 2020 Winner of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature in the YA category and was featured in an appeal by ArabLit Quarterly to translate the book into English. [ea]