By M Lynx Qualey
Little of the fantastic multiverse of Arabic children’s literature has been translated to English. Kids who read in English know Pinocchio but not (the frankly more delightful) Goha; they scarcely know historical figures like Ibn Battuta; and they haven’t been introduced to funny contemporary Arab children’s book writers like Maria Dadouch, the delightfully silly Samah Idriss, or the heartbreaking warmth of Rami Tawil.
Fortunately, in the last few years, some publishers have finally began to translate Arabic literature for young readers, including Interlink, Neem Tree Press, University of Texas Press, Sununo, and Levine Querido. We can also look forward to more: I’m especially excited about a bilingual collection of Arabic folktales from Tuttle Publishing, put together by the great Hadil Ghoneim.
I won’t list books I’ve translated (although please do check out books by Sonia Nimr, Feda Shtia, Haya Saleh, Fatima Sharefeddine, and Samar Mahfouz Barraj!), but instead will look at a few beautiful Arabic books in translation for the youngest readers.
Written by Taghreed Najjar
Illustrated by Maya Fidawi
Translated by Crackboom staff
Translated from Arabic
This beloved classic Arabic picture book was written by one of the biggest figures in Arabic children’s literature (Palestinian-Jordanian author Taghreed Najjar) and illustrated by the award-winning Lebanese artist Maya Fidawi. Who can’t relate to getting obsessed about a single food—in this case watermelon—and refusing to eat anything else? It’s also a great introduction to other foods from the Levant that aren’t watermelon.
Written by Maya Abu-Alhayyat
Illustrated by Hassan Manasrah
Translated by Hanan Awad
Translated from Arabic
This short picture book comes from the heart of the always-questioning Palestinian writer Maya Abu-Alhayyat and is illustrated by Palestinian visual artist Hassan Manasrah. It follows a man who has so many questions that they flood the city. He encourages children to come up with their own big, unanswerable questions and then to dive in—not necessarily to look for answers, but to exist alongside the big questions. A thoughtful book for thoughtful young readers. Maya also helps run the Palestine Writing Workshop that focuses on bringing joy to children through literature.
Written by Taghreed Najjar
Illustrated by Hassan Manasrah
Translated by Interlink staff
Translated from Arabic
This warm tale, inspired by Arabic folk stories, is about facing your fears (the titular ghoul) and accepting differences (also the titular ghoul), because maybe he’s not so scary after all. It begins in a village where nobody laughs and everyone tiptoes around the scary ghoul. But Hassan the Brave is just not having it, and he heads off to find this ghoul. Held together by the warm, charming illustrations of Hassan Manasrah, including the ghoul (who is of course more scared of humans than we are of it).
Written by Amina Hachimi Alaoui
Illustrated by Maya Fidawi
Co-translated from the Arabic version by Mehdi Retnani and from the French by Nathaniel Penn
Translated from Arabic and French
I love this story of welcoming a new baby into the house by Moroccan author and publisher Amina Hachimi Alaoui, illustrated by the award-winning Maya Fidawi. (If you also love Maya’s illustrations, you can follow her on instagram at @mayafidawi.) It can be hard to welcome a new baby into your house when you’re used to being the only kid, and it’s especially hard for three charming cats: Minouche, Pasha and Amir. Super relatable for any kid who’s experiencing change or just likes cats.
About M Lynx Qualey
M Lynx Qualey is a writer, editor, and translator. Her recent translations include Haya Saleh’s Wild Poppies (2024) and Sonia Nimr’s Thunderbird books. Words Without Borders awarded her the 2024 Ottoway Award for Promotion of International Literature in recognition of her work to promote Arab literature in English including the founding of arablit.org. She says, “I love books for young readers, especially when they inspire us to re-imagine our world as a better place.”
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