My First Book of Arabic Words

Age range 3 to 8

It's alphabet rhyme time in this illustrated introduction to Arabic language and culture!

A perfect read-aloud bedtime book and the ideal accompaniment to guide emerging readers, My First Book of Arabic Words introduces children to the basic words and simple vocabulary of Arabic through colorful rhymes and beautiful imagery. The ABCs of Arabic life are charmingly captured in Chaymaa Sobhy's illustrations, offering a contemporary lens on the great dynamism and diversity found in global Arab culture.

A charming character serves as your guide. Along the way, you get an A-to-Z introduction to her family, friends, and community, and follow her fun-filled adventures. Holidays and cultural traditions are woven into the narrative, offering a window into the world of an English-speaking child in the twenty-first century Arabic world:

E is for Eid al-Fitr.
We celebrate, we eat!
Gather round the table
can you find a seat?

A fun and informative foray into the Arabic language that combines Aya Khalil's lilting rhymes with Chaymaa Sobhy's vibrant illustrations.

Aya Khalil, author of My First Book of Arabic Words, spoke with Publishers Weekly about "her teaching and writing, her experience with book banning, and why she's committed to shining a light on the beauty of Arabic cultures and the Islamic faith for readers of all backgrounds." — You can read the full interview here
"A fun and informative foray into the Arabic language that combines Aya Khalil's lilting rhymes with Chaymaa Sobhy's vibrant illustrations, My First Book of Arabic Words is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library ABC and Arabic Language/Culture collections for children." —Midwest Book Review
"It's a great book using simple words and also ties Arab culture with it. If you're looking for a beginner's book to Arabic for your kids then this is the one." —Nura's Little Library, Bookstagram

Aya Khalil is a freelance journalist and educator. She holds a master's degree in education with a focus in teaching English as a second language. Her first book for children, The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant's Story, is based on the story of her move to the U.S. from Egypt at the age of one. Her articles have been published in The Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The Post & Courier and the Toledo Area Parent, and she is the author of One World: Egypt and The Night Before Eid. She's been featured on Yahoo!, Teen Vogue and Verona. She was named one of the Arab America Foundation's '40 Under 40' in 2021. Visit her at:

Chaymaa Sobhy lives in Cairo and is also the illustrator of Children's Favorite Arabic Stories.

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