The Middle East & North Africa
Qatar
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]