Children's Favorite Arabic Stories

A treasury of beloved tales capturing the rich diversity of the Arabic-speaking world!

A young woman outsmarts Ali Baba's forty thieves. Wise jinnis and magical animals guide people down the proper path. Nine traditional tales are brought to life by author Jehanne Moharram and the delightful illustrations of artist Chaymaa Sobhy.

The stories reflect the rich culture and traditions of a diverse region and offer windows onto many wondrous worlds. These include:

• Morgana Saves the Day (Syria): Ali Baba's niece outsmarts the forty thieves, proving along the way that loyalty and bravery can pay richer rewards than jealousy and greed
• The Little Red Fish and the Golden Slipper (Iraq): Kindness is the key message in this Cinderella tale—where a fish's friendship outlasts and overpowers a stepmother's wicked ways
• Goha and the Price of Steam (Egypt): A wise fool offers valuable lessons on humility, perseverance and how to prepare the perfect meal.
• The Fisherman and the Jinni (Yemen): A jinni teaches an angler the importance of clear thinking
• And many more!

These stories have been passed down for generations in innumerable versions and retellings. The fables and tales in Children's Favorite Arabic Stories reflect the rich cultural fabric of the Arabic-speaking world which stretches across a vast region from Morocco to Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan to Saudi Arabia and the Emirates—all of which provide the vibrant backdrops to these tales.