Description

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

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The Arabian Nights. Mischievous jinnis, cunning caliphs and talking animals populate a wondrous, minaret-filled world.

Nine traditional folk tales from many Middle Eastern and North African traditions are brought to life by author Jehanne Moharram and the delightful illustrations of artist Chaymaa Sobhy. These include:

• How Morgana Saved the Day (Lebanon): Ali Baba's servant 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 Clog of Gold (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 (Gulf States): 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.

About the Author

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Jehanne Moharram grew up in Kuwait and Egypt, where she moved from nestling on a relative's lap begging for one more story, to constantly burying her nose in a book. She now works as an editor and writer in Oklahoma, where she lives with her husband, two children and too many pets (some possibly magical). This is her first book. Chaymaa Sobhy was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and received a pharmacy degree from Cairo University before shifting her focus to illustrating and writing picture books. She is the author and illustrator of My Sky Is Many Colors and I Imagine and the illustrator of Tuttle's My First Book of Arabic Word.