Here you will find information about publishers of Arabic children’s books, and links to their latest catalogues, where available.
Academia International
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Beirut-based publisher, originally of mainly academic texts, but now children’s books too. The Pomegranate Girl by Rania Zbib Daher, illustrated by Joelle Achkar, won the Etisalat 2014 for Best Illustration.
Al-Hadaek
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Award-winning Lebanese publishing house for children’s magazines and books. Founded by Nabiha Mheidly in Beirut in 1987 and now publishing writers from Egypt, Syria, Oman, Bahrain and Tunisia, Al-Hadaek was the first press in the Arabic world specialise in books for children and young adults.
2009 Etisalat Award for Ana Oheb (I Love) by Nabiha Mheidly, illustrated by Nadeen Saidani and 2012 Etisalat Award for Creatures on the Ceiling by Nabiha Mheidly, illustrated by Hassan Zahreddine.
Al-Khayyat al-Saghir
Al Khayyat Al Saghir was established by author Rania Zaghir in 2007. It devotes special attention to picture books of engaging, quality literary material that aim to develop Arab children’s artistic and social awareness.
- Best Children Book Award, Beirut 60th Bookfair, Lebanon, 2016
- The Extraordinary Book Award, Berlin International Literature Festival, 2015.
- The Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue Between Cultures Award, 2010.
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Assabil (Friends of Public Libraries) Annual Award for Children’s Literature, 2009.
Asala
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The Lebanese publisher Dar Asala was established in 1998 as part of Dar Annahda Alarabiya, and specializes in Arabic children’s books. To date, it has published more than 1600 titles. Asala’s books have won tens of national and international awards including Khalifa Award and The Arab Thought Foundation’s Kitabi Awards.
Their title When You Get Angry by Doniazad Saade, illustrated by Zarifa Haidar, won the 2013 Etisalat Award for prize for Best Production.
Bright Fingers
Founded in Damascus in 2005 by Gulnar Hajo and Samer al-Kadri, this publishing house is now based in Amsterdam.
Dar al-Alam al-Arabi
Dubai-based publisher of children’s books, founded in 2003.
2018 Etisalat Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year: Homesick (الحنين) written by Aisha al-Harthi and illustrated by Hassan Manasra.
Dar Ashjar
Dar al-Balsam
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Egyptian publisher of books for children and young adults in the Arabic language. Provider of global digital content via Impelsys.
2019 Etisalat Award for Best Text: Damascus: The Story of a City, written & illustrated by Alaa Murtada, published by Dar Al-Balsam.
Kalimat Group
Founded in 2007 by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, daughter of the ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, also founding director of the Arab Children’s Book Publishers Forum.
Nahdet Misr Publishing House
2013 Etisalat Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year: The Stick of Racemes by Afaf Tobala and illustrated by Hanadi Sleet
2013 Etisalat Award for Best Young Adult Book of the Year: Ajwan by Emirati writer Noura al Noman
2011 Etisalat Award for winner: Teeri Ya Tayara (Fly Away Kite) published by Nahdet Misr, Egypt
Salwa
An independent publishing house established in 1996 in Jordan, specialising in Arabic picture books for children, from birth to teens. Al-Salwa has recently expanded into digital electronic media by producing apps, ebooks, interactive CDs, DVDs, and audio books.
Prize-winning titles include Koozy (كوزي) by Anastasia Qarawani and illustrated by Maja Kastelic (2018 Etisalat Award for Best Production) and Mama My Classmate (ماما بنت صفي) written by Lubna Taha and illustrated by Maya Fadawi (2018 Etisalat Award for Best Text).
Tamer Institute for Community Education
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Palestinian publishing house founded in 1989 during the First Intifada. Tamer works across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, primarily targeting children and young adults to encourage and deepen opportunities of learning among them.
“With perseverance, audacity and resourcefulness, the Tamer Institute has, for two decades, stimulated Palestinian children’s and young adults’ love of reading – and their creativity. Under difficult circumstances, the Institute carries out reading promotion of an unusual breadth and versatility.” ~ Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award jury.
Speech by director Renad Qubbaj on being awarded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, 2009.
2018 Etisalat Award for Best Young Adult Book of the Year: The Secret of Oil (سر الزيت) written by Walid Daqqa Institute
Tanmia Publishing House
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Tanmia bookshop and publishing house, owned by Egyptian publisher Khaled Lotfy, is located in Cairo, Eygpt.
Winner of 2018 Etisalat Award for Best Illustration: Think of Others by Mahmoud Darwish and illustrated by Sahar Abdullah
Yanbow Al Kitab
Moroccan publisher of children’s books in Arabic and French, based in Casablanca.
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