Arabic Folktales: The Three Princes of Serendip and Other Stories

This feast of Middle Eastern folklore from an award-winning Iraqi storyteller is paired with vibrant cut-paper art.

The twenty fables and folktales in this illustrated storybook have taken a long journey. Many have roots that stretch across Europe, Asia and Africa, but when award-winning writer and gatherer of tales Rodaan Al Galidi learned them in his homeland of Iraq, it was as Arabic folktales and as part of the Arabic storytelling tradition. When he migrated to the Netherlands, he shaped twenty of those tales into his debut book for children, which was translated to English by Laura Watkinson. Filled with wisdom about love and acceptance, and warnings against folly, these elegantly translated stories of donkeys and roosters, kings, sheikhs, and paupers are exquisitely illustrated by cut-paper artist Geertje Aalders. Beautifully packaged, Arabic Folktales is a rich and varied introduction to the world of Middle Eastern folklore.

Short-listed for The Accelerated Reader Quiz Writers' Choice Award 2023 (UK)

Listed in Pen&Inc, highlighting the best in diverse children's books, June 2022 Pen & Inc
Featuring twenty folk tales with stunning paper cut illustrations, this book delights with its fanciful tales of kings and treasures, but also with relatable themes of acceptance, love and the perils of arrogance. BookTrust
Stunningly illustrated. The Bookseller
‘Arabic Folktales’ is an essential collection for anyone who shares my delight in traditional stories and for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered just how delightful they can be! Through the Bookshelf
"A brilliant book I will be re-reading and one which I’d recommend for all children (and adults) to enjoy! The Strawberry Post

Rodaan Al Galidi is an award-winning author of poetry and novels for adults. Arabic Folktales: The Three Princes of Serendip is his first book for children. He lives in the Netherlands.

Laura Watkinson is an award-winning translator who lives in the Netherlands.

Geertje Aalders is an acclaimed Dutch artist who uses a cut-paper technique. She lives in the Netherlands.

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