Confused about which books to give to your youngsters during the Year of Reading? The National's Rym Ghazal and Zeyna Al Jabri, of Buzoor distribution, have these recommendations for 5-to 8-year-olds.
Special thanks to Zeyna Al Jabri, of Buzoor distribution, who assisted The National in compiling this list of 50 recommended books for children of different ages to guide parents in the Arab Reading Challenge. For further assistance contact Al Jabri on arabic@buzoor.com and check the website www.buzoor.com.
The Black Dot (Al noqtal sawda’) by Walid Taher
Publisher: Dar Al Shorouk
A strange large black spot shows up in a village. How do they get rid of it? Marwan finds a solution.
I Want a Pet (Oridu hayawanan aleefan) by Samar Mahfouz Barraj
Publisher: Asala
The story of a little girl’s quest to find the perfect pet.
The Tastiest Lemonade (Atyab limonada) by Amal Ayoub Freiji
Publisher: Dar El Ilm Lilmalayin
Hala tries to prepare the “perfect lemonade” for parents.
Where Are My Fingers (Ayna asabi’i) by Nadine R L Touma
Publisher: Dar Onboz
The journey of a little girl looking for her fingers. How did she lose them? Will she find them?
My Dog “Hazelnut” (Bunduq) by Wafa Qusous
Publisher: Wafa Qusous Publications
The story of a boy and his dog, called Hazelnut, and their adventures.
A Home for the Small Bunny (Bait lilarnab asaghir) by Taghreed Najjar
Publisher: Al Salwa Books
A little rabbit runs away looking for a new home away from his noisy neighbour. Will the rabbit find his new home?
Tamer and the Red Box of Chocolate (Tamer wa olbat al chocolata al harmra’) by Fatima Sharafedine
Publisher: Asala
The story of Tamer and little red box of chocolates that goes on its own adventure.
My Grandmother Nafeesa (Jaddati Nafeesa) by Taghreed Najjar
Publisher: Al Salwa Books
Majid loves it when his grandmother Nafeesa visits – it’s always a day filled with adventure.
My Letters Dance (Huroufi tarqus) by Sahar Naja Mahfouz
Publisher: Kalimat
The story of a boy who sees letters dancing, but is it magic or something else?
When a Camel Craves Luqaimat (Hina yashtahi al jamalou al lougaymat) by Maitha Khayat
Publisher: Kalimat
The story of a camel that loves the Emirati dessert luqaimat, and the girl who introduces him to other dishes.
Sireen in the Tree (Serene fawq al shajara) by Nahed Shawwa
Publisher: Noon
Sireen loves to play in her tree, but a new road threatens to result in it being cut it down. What will she do?
Where Did the Letter Sha Go? (Ashat al sheen) by Abir Ballan
Publisher: Kalimat
The story of Shahab, who loves the letter “sha”, but something happens and he can’t say the letter anymore.
Omar Doesn’t Like to Write (Omar la yuhibbu an yaktub) by Abeer Taher
Publisher: Dar Al Yasmeen
Omar has difficulty writing, but when he finds a “magical” pen, everything changes.
Zucchini Story (Qissat al koussa) by Samah Idris
Publisher: Dar Al Adab
A boy must eat his zucchini dish before he can have his ice cream, but why doesn’t the dish end?
A Drop of Water and Colours (Qatrat ma' wal alwan) by Najla Bashour
Publisher: Tala Est
A poetic story about a drop of water that wants to change its colour.
Listening Game (Lo’bat al insat) by Arwa Khamis
Publisher: Dar El Ilm Lilmalayin
Two sisters decide to spend the day “listening” to everything around them. What wonders do they discover?
Let’s Save the Earth (Hayya Nunqeth al ard) by Margo Malatjalian
Publisher: Ramafec
The story of how together we can all save Planet Earth.
The Day of the Peacock (Yawm al tawoos) by Zakaria Tamer
Publisher: Asala
A beautiful peacock meets other animals and birds, and learns a valuable lesson.
Rain Drops, Cotton Candy (Habat mattar, ghezel al banat) by Sahar Naja Mahfouz
Publisher: Bright Fingers
The story of a girl who loves candy floss and can see it in everything surrounding her – her grandma’s hair, the trees, the clouds, jellyfish...
Fifi by Taghreed Najjar
Publisher: Al Salwa Books
The story of a girl and her new pet, a cow called Fifi.
