Arabic Folktales for Children

Timeless stories to share in English and Arabic, engagingly retold for young readers.

This exciting collection of eight folktales presented in parallel English and Arabic text brings together favorites from a storytelling tradition rich in humor, warmth, and gentle life lessons. Drawing on oral and written sources from across the Arabic-speaking world, award-winning author Hadil Ghoneim has crafted a fun and unique anthology for heritage language learners as well as anyone seeking to introduce young readers to diverse cultures. The stories include:

Goha and His Son: The beloved folk character Goha teaches his son that it’s impossible to please everyone

A Tale About Friendship (part one and two): A turtle, a crow, and their animal friends show that when we help each other out, we can overcome any challenge

The Woodcutter and the Lion: A woodcutter uses his quick wit to outsmart a lion

And four more great stories!

Illustrator Ayah Khamis brings the tales to life with expressive characters, glowing color combinations, and detailed depictions of buildings and other local details. The book is a valuable addition to the library of any family or teacher who wants to build cultural connections through the magic of stories.