Theme: Middle East

The Third Gift

By Book Importer | Published: January 18, 2012

After harvesting an especially large “tear” of a resin known as myrrh, a young boy and his father visit a spice merchant whose three customers are seeking a special gift to bring to a baby. Includes biblical references and historical information about the Magi and myrrh.

Descriptors: Africa, Historical Fiction, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

The Mesopotamians

By Book Importer | Published: December 12, 2011

Provides readers with an up-close look at the ingenuity of forward-thinking inventors and engineers from the early civilizations

Descriptors: Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Beyond Bullets: A Photo Journal of Afganistan

By Book Importer | Published: October 26, 2011

Award-winning photographer Rafal Gerszak spent a year embedded with the American military in Afghanistan, where he used his camera to document everyday life in the war-torn country. While there, he developed a deep affection for the land and its people, and he later returned on his own. Despite the dangers around him, he continued taking [...]

Descriptors: Afghanistan, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction » Other Themes: , » Leave a comment

Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs

By Book Importer | Published: September 26, 2011

The stories of the Egyptian pharaohs and their ancient gods are full of mystery and adventure. In this retelling of nine tales of ancient Egypt, Marcia Williams uses her signature comic-strip style to capture the rich mythology and early history of this great civilization. Beginning with powerful Ra rising from the waters of the Nile [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Egypt, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Myth, Picture Book » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Cleopatra Confesses

By Book Importer | Published: September 7, 2011

The last of the pharaohs before the beginning of the Common Era, Cleopatra ascended the throne at age eighteen following the death of her father. Charming as well as smart and ambitious, she made two Roman leaders fall madly in love with her. Her greatest challenge was not her kingdom but her own sisters, blinded [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Egypt, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Cleopatra’s Moon

By Book Importer | Published: August 24, 2011

“The Luxe” meets the ancient world in the extraordinary story of Cleopatra’s daughter. Selene has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra & Mark Antony–the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself. When war finally comes, Selene faces the loss of [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Egypt, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Goha: The Wise Fool

By Book Importer | Published: August 15, 2011

A collection of fourteen tales about the folk hero Nasreddin Hoca, also known as Goha, a man with a reputation for being able to answer difficult questions in a clever way.

Descriptors: Asia, Folklore, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Picture Book, Turkey » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The Stone: A Persian Legend of the Magi

By Book Importer | Published: August 15, 2011

A retelling of the story told to Marco Polo about the Magi of Saveh, three wise men from a town in Persia, who followed a strange star and find a special child.

Descriptors: Asia, Folklore, Iran, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Black Dot

By Book Importer | Published: June 22, 2011

Children wake up one morning and find a black dot on their playground. When it isn’t easily removed, each has a different way of coping with it.
There are no currently English translations of this Arabic text available.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 4

Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Egypt, Fiction, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Kassim’s Shoes

By Book Importer | Published: June 14, 2011

Kassim succumbs to pressure to abandon his old shoes but has trouble discarding them.

Descriptors: Africa, Folklore, Morocco, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: » Leave a comment