Here is my latest list of book recommendations for children and young adults, whether for libraries, schools, or homes. These focus on Arabic language and culture (my specialty), but I’ve included bonus Spanish selections at the end. I have read all these books and hope you will enjoy them too!
Kids:
Salma the Syrian Chef, Yaffa and Fatima, The Sandwich Swap Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan – A Syrian girl figures out how to help her mother and herself feel more at home in Vancouver, Canada.
Hisham al-Gokh gave a stunning live performance of this poem – see here. When this poem first came out, several years ago, it captured my attention with its simplicity and its brave criticism. He points the finger of blame at authorities in the Arab region, but there is also a note of self-criticism.
Hisham al-Gokh’s live, televised performance of Al-Tashira / The Visa
It’s time to post a new translation of this poem now because this is a powerful poem about tackling problems in one’s own society, owning up to the failure of childhood dreams and empty ideologies, and giving voice to the dreams that live on and provide hope for a better future for all.
The letter dal in stylistic calligraphy
1640 Harvard College establishes the first Semitic chair (Hebrew, Chaldaic and Syriac) in the United States, adding Arabic between 1654 and 1672. Others followed Harvard’s example, dependent upon the availability of scholars (beginning at Yale in 1700, at Dartmouth and Andover in 1807, and at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1822). Early scholars learned Arabic only after studying Ancient Hebrew first. Arabic was treated as a subsidiary subject in Hebrew Studies or Assyriology.
The letter ع ‘ayn
**The Arabic Language **
اللغة العربية** **
Arabic belongs to the Semitic family of languages. Currently spoken languages in this family, besides Arabic, include Modern Hebrew, Amharic, Tigre and Tigrinya, Syriac, several Aramaic dialects, and Maltese. Arabic is spoken by about 422 million people (native and non-native), making it one of the 5 most spoken languages in the world. It is also used in various degrees in the prayers and recitations of more than 2 billion Muslims all over the world.
In the current climate, audio and video sources are on the rise, but reading remains a key skill for language learners. For those learners who already love to read (in any language), extensive reading can be a powerhouse for their progress toward increased proficiency in Arabic. This 2-part series is based on research in language teaching, with a focus on learners of Arabic whose L1 (first language) is English. It is intended for both educators and learners of Arabic (whether in a classroom or in an independent learning environment).
In the current climate, audio and video sources are on the rise, but reading remains a key skill for language learners. For those learners who already love to read (in any language), extensive reading can be a powerhouse for their progress toward increased proficiency in Arabic. This 2-part series is based on research in language teaching, with a focus on learners of Arabic whose L1 (first language) is English. It is intended for both educators and learners of Arabic (whether in a classroom or in an independent learning environment).
Images from Dover coloring book for Arabic Floral Patterns
During this time of social-distancing, my husband and I take turns spending time with our preschool-age son and working in my home office. I’ve been doing lots of coloring, which provides the illustrations for today’s post.
For those of you who want to study Arabic, or know someone who wants to work on their Arabic, I have collected all the program announcements that I have received for Remote Arabic offerings here.
Have you seen the QFI Infographics lately? These beautiful PDFs are free to download for teaching or for your own information. Here are some of my favorites:
Arabic Calligraphy
Arabic Dialect map
Arabic Calligraphy
Arabic Dialect Map
Arabic Influence on the Spanish Language
The Spectrum of Love in Classical Arabic
The Spectrum of Love in Classical Arabic
History of the Arabic Alphabet
Other Titles: Currency Themes of the Arab World, Animals Native to the Arab World, The Traditional Arab Ensemble, Arabic Letters & Sounds, History of the Arabic Alphabet, The Arabic Language Root System, Flags of the Arab World, How Would You Like Your Tea?
The cover of Awlad al-Nas / Children of the People, a trilogy by Reem Bassiouney
Dr. Reem Bassiouney’s latest work of fiction is a masterful, multi-generation epic set in Mamluk Cairo (1309-1517). The action moves out of Cairo at times, to Alexandria, Greater Syria, or the Western Desert, but it is focused around several historic buildings of Mamluk Cairo. There are also brief scenes from 2005-2017. For me, the heart of the book lies in the first of the three main stories, set in the 14th century.
An assembly of birds: The crow deciding whether the owl should lead the assembly of birds. Miniature painting from a 17th c. manuscript of Anvar-i Suhayli. Originally published/produced in India, 1610-1611.
With this bright new year of 2020, I’m sharing a few literary/artistic picks (two books and one music album) that were recently inspired by Conference of the Birds (منطق الطير), the allegorical poem by Farid al-Din Attar (lived in Nishapur c.
