9 Picture Books about Palestine for Children (from 2020 onwards)
Palestine is a place and topic close to the hearts of all Muslims. These nine books about Palestine for children are a great entryway into learning about the country’s history, culture and traditions.
The recent bombardment of Gaza and the increasing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is no doubt weighing heavy on Muslims around the globe.
The images of babies and young children being harmed in unthinkable ways are especially difficult for parents, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
It’s a hard reminder to cherish our children and families, and be grateful for what Allah has blessed us with.
Alongside praying, protesting and donating, we can increase and spread awareness about Palestine. And this can begin within our own homes with our children with stories of Palestine.
It was important to me when I chose these books about Palestine for children, that they:
- were authentic and therefore written by Palestinian authors
- were recent publications (from 2020 onwards)
- included beautiful and engaging images for young children to enjoy
- included rich storylines with nuance
- were easy to understand and suitable for ages 4-8 years old
Based on the above, below is my selection of 9 excellent picture books about Palestine for children. Where possible, I have provided non-affiliated links to buy these books from smaller retailers. I’ve ONLY included Amazon where no other options were available.
If you’re interested in Islamic children’s stories with morals for your young kids, you can see my top five recommendations here.
Baba, What Does My Name Mean? A Journey to Palestine (2020)
Title: Baba, What Does My Name Mean? A Journey to Palestine
Author: Rifk Ebeid
Publication date: 2020
Where to buy it: Book Mart (UK); Crescent Moon Store (US)
(This book is also available to read on the Miraj Stories app.)
A young girl called Saamidah asks her father what her name means. He replies, ‘Saamidah is an Arabic word for one who is patient, persistent and one who perseveres. One who will fight for their rights without any fear.’
This kicks off a wonderful rhyming adventure, taking Saamidah and the reader all around old Palestine, as it was before the creation of Israel.
The colourful full-page spreads show stunning imagery of the different, unique and vibrant areas of Palestine.
A bike ride through Areeha, with its ancient staircase and plentiful banana trees.
A visit to Al-Quds, the holy city, to admire the golden dome within Al-Aqsa before passing through the Old City and its historic souks (markets).
A stopover at Nablus to eat kunafa (a traditional Palestinian dessert), before heading to the Mediterranean coast to Yafa, where Saamidah’s family is originally from.
And so the story continues around Palestine, including visits to Haifa, Gaza, Bait Lahem (Bethlehem) and Al-Khalil.
Saamidah begins to understand the significance of her name. It’s not just a word, but a symbol of her heritage, identity, and connection to her homeland.
On returning from her journey, Saamidah, now full of pride and excitement, asks why she cannot return. But Baba explains that the story of why she is a refugee is for another day.
‘Baba, What is My Name?’ ends with ‘To be continued’, which to me feels very much like a symbolic message that the story of the Palestinians is not over. This book is both poignant and hopeful, and a wonderful story for children.
Sitti’s Olive Trees (2021)
Title: Sitti’s Olive Trees
Author: Ndaa Hassan
Publication date: 2021
Where to buy it: Anafiya Gifts (UK); Crescent Moon Store (US)
(This book is also available to read on the Miraj Stories app.)
This is another story of nostalgia, hope and cultural celebration of Palestine.
Little Reema listens attentively to her grandmother (Sitti) who teaches her about their beloved olives and their cultural importance.
Sitti describes the family’s olive orchard which has been in their family for generations and from where they receive a special jar of olive oil every year, directly from Palestine.
Like the previous story, Reema’s imagination travels home to Palestine to see the olive groves, bustling markets, and community life as she listens to Sitti’s stories.
She learns about the long and difficult task of caring for the olive trees and the communal harvesting as the children, adults and elders all get involved.
Olives are the central representation of Palestine in this story. Sitti lovingly describes the olives trees as having roots which ‘stay firmly planted, and the trees stand tall and straight’ – a symbol of the Palestinian people and spirit.
There is no sadness in this story, only reminiscing of what was and hope for what will be.
My Garden over Gaza (2022)
Title: My Garden Over Gaza
Author: Sarah Musa
Publication date: 2022
Where to buy it: Ruqaya’s Bookshelf (ships worldwide)
In contrast to the previous stories, this story is based on characters who live within Palestine rather than those in the diaspora (across other parts of the world). And in contrast to the other stories, this one brought me to tears.
Noura is an older girl living in a tower block in Gaza with her mother and little brother. The story begins with Noura pulling her brother to safety away from a drone hovering over their roof garden.
To distract her brother, she tells him stories about their dad who used to be a farmer. We learn later in the story that their father has passed away. Since Gaza was blocked off on all sides (by Israel), the family can no longer go to their farm on the other side of the wall.
Instead, they cultivate a thriving roof garden where they have a variety of vegetables and fruits which they rely on to survive.
Another day, Noura has to save her brother again from another drone. But this time, she notices something different. The drone is spraying chemicals over her garden. She rushes upstairs to save her plants, but it’s too late. The drones have destroyed their garden and source of food. Noura is angry and devastated.
Of all the books in this selection, ‘My Garden over Gaza’ is much more gritty, upsetting and doesn’t shy away from the horrors of living under occupation.
But as with all of these books about Palestine for children, Palestinians do not easily give up. Noura is determined to do honour to her father’s memory and decides to start her garden again.
An authentic and real depiction of life under siege – highly recommend.
Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine (2023)
Title: Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine
Author: Hannah Moushabeck
Publication date: 2023
Where to buy it: Bookshop (UK); Crescent Moon Store (US)
A Palestinian father tells bedtime stories to his three daughters and transports their imaginations into the vibrant world of his homeland, Palestine.
Through his tales, they experience the bustling Old City of Jerusalem (Al-Quds), the Dome of the Rock, and the rich culture of their heritage.
The father recounts the stories of his childhood. He remembers the laughter shared with friends, the joyful communal feasts, and the deep-rooted sense of community that binds the people of Palestine together.
Despite the physical distance, the girls feel a strong connection to and longing for Palestine, kindled through their father’s memories. Yet, they can never visit nor return to their father’s home – they are part of the expelled Palestinian diapora.
The symbol of the key at the end of the book will be familiar to any Palestinian. It is a symbol you’ll see in other books about Palestine (such as ‘Sitti’s Key’ below).
The key represents, or in many cases actually is, the hope of return to the home that Palestinian families were expelled from during the Nakba.
(In 1948, hundreds and thousands of Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes in Palestine by the Israeli military. This is referred to as the Nakba in Arabic, which means catastrophe.)
This is a beautiful book that pulls on the heartstrings. ‘Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine’ celebrates the lasting power of family, memory, and the deep connection to one’s homeland.
Sitti’s Bird : A Gaza Story by Malak Mattar (2022)
Title: Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story
Author: Malak Mattar
Publication date: 2022
Where to buy it: Amazon (UK); Crescent Moon Store (US)
A little girl named Malak lives a peaceful life in Gaza, spending time with her family, playing with her friends and visiting her beloved Sitti (grandmother). But everything changes when the bombings start, forcing her to stay indoors for weeks.
Malak feels scared, anxious and trapped at home. She misses her life with friends, school, and everyday simple joys. But she finds a way to cope with her feelings by turning to art, using paint to express her feelings and create a new world on her bedroom walls. Malak transforms them into vibrant scenes of her favourite places, her loving family, and the beauty she longs to see outside her window.
While painting, Malak hears a bird singing. She follows the sound to her Sitti’s garden to find a small injured bird. She looks after the bird, nurturing it back to health and giving it a safe place to stay. The bird is a source of inspiration for Malak. She admires the strength of the little bird which helps her find her own courage.
When the war ends and Malak finally goes outside again, she remembers her art and the bird. She realises that even in the darkest times, there’s always hope, strength and resistance in creativity.
This sweet story of innocence shattered and then repaired once again demonstrates the beautiful and lasting resilience of Palestinians.
These Olive Trees: A Palestinian Family’s Story (2023)
Title: These Olive Trees: A Palestinian Family’s Story
Author: Aya Ghanameh
Publication date: 2023
Where to buy it: Blackwell’s (UK); Shop Palestine (US)
Set in 1967, this story follows the journey of a young girl named Oraib who must navigate the challenges of displacement from her home. But like the grandmother in ‘Sitti’s Olive Trees’, she never loses connection to her homeland through her family’s olive trees.
Oraib lives with her family in Nablus, Palestine, surrounded by the sprawling olive groves that have been in their family for generations. She cherishes the time she spends under the shade of the ancient trees, listening to her grandmother’s stories and helping her harvest the olives.
However, their peaceful life is disrupted when war forces them to leave their home and go to a refugee camp. Life in the refugee camp is hard and Oraib misses her old life – her olive trees and the comforting sights and sounds of her homeland.
One day, Oraib’s grandmother plants an olive tree in the courtyard of the refugee camp. The tree becomes a symbol of hope and resilience for Oraib and her family, representing that despite their displacement, they are still connected to their land and heritage.
Oraib grows older and realises the importance of the olive trees to her family and people as a symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance.
Like so many other books about Palestine for children, this story captures the resilience of the Palestinian people and the importance of preserving heritage and culture. The olive trees serve as a powerful symbol of home, identity, and the enduring hope for a peaceful future.
Salim’s Soccer Ball: A Story of Palestinian Resilience (2022)
Title: Salim’s Soccer Ball: A Story of Palestinian Resilience
Author: Tala El-Fahmawi
Publication date: 2022
Where to buy it: Blackwell’s (UK); Indigo (US)
Salim is a young Palestinian boy who loves playing football (soccer) with his friends. His ball is his most prized possession; it’s always by his side.
One day, Salim kicks his soccer ball so hard and high that it disappears over the wall. This devastates Salim as he realises his beloved ball is lost.
With determination, Salim sets off on a journey to find his lost ball. He goes through the bustling marketplace, smelling the spices and enjoying the vibrant fabrics. He searches between narrow alleyways, and hears laughter and conversation through between the walls.
Along the way, Salim meets various members of his community, including a shopkeeper, baker and storyteller. He asks for their help and each one shares how they have kept going when things were hard, despite living under occupation.
As the sun begins to set, Salim starts to lose hope he’ll ever find his ball. But just then, he hears the familiar rhythmic bounce of a ball. He follows the sound, and there, among a a group of children playing is Salim’s soccer ball. Salim is so relieved, he rushes to join the game.
Through his mini adventure, Salim learns the meaning of community, resilience and keeping hope alive.
The story, written in simple rhyming stanzas, is best targeted towards the younger spectrum of readers (4-6 years old) and introduces the ideas of apartheid and occupation in an age-appropriate way.
Sitti’s Key by Sahar Khader Ali (2023)
Title: Sitti’s Key
Author: Sahar Khader Ali
Publication date: 2023
Where to buy it: Little Hibba (ships worldwide)
Amal’s Sitti (grandmother) comes to stay, bringing a box of treasured belongings with her from Palestine. An old key is among the items, which Sitti hangs on the wall.
Amal asks about the key and Sitti recounts her childhood in Haifa, a vibrant city in old Palestine on the Mediterranean coast. She describes the busy marketplaces, the aroma of fresh bread, and the children’s laughter in the streets.
But Sitti’s memories are also touched by sadness. She explains how, in 1948, the Nakba, or Palestinian catastrophe, forced her family to leave their home and seek refuge in Lebanon. The key, she reveals, belonged to their house in Haifa, a symbol of a life they were forced to abandon.
Sitti entrusts the key to Amal, reminding her of the importance of preserving their Palestinian identity. The key represents their lasting hope of one day returning to their homeland.
As with so many of these books about Palestine for children, the storytelling bridges generations and centres Palestinian heritage, memory and hope for return one day.
We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition by Reem Kassis (2023)
Title: We are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition
Author: Reem Kassis
Publication date: 2023
Where to buy it:
This is the only non-fiction title in my list of books about Palestine for children and is probably better aimed at slightly older children (9+ years old). However, I wanted to include it on the list as it’s such a great introduction to the breadth of Palestinian culture.
Every page of this book is full of interesting facts, pictures, stories from real Palestinians and quotes.
The reader can learn about wide-ranging topics including Palestinian food, music, dabka (folk dancing), poetry and tatreez (symbolic Palestinian embroidery).
The author also explores Palestine’s geography, religions, agriculture and so much more.
The book’s existence is a form of resistance and pride for the author who was keen to preserve the traditions of Palestine for her own family and others throughout the world.
While aimed at older children, parents can guide younger readers through the pages they are interested in, discuss the beautiful pictures and relay the information in a more child-friendly way.
‘We are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition’ is a non-fiction book about Palestine for children well worth having in your home library.
Some common threads throughout these books about Palestine for children
Throughout these nine children’s books about Palestine, there are some common messages that are hard to miss.
- Palestinians’ traditions and love for their heritage is kept alive through storytelling.
- Palestinian culture is rich, diverse and ancient – folk songs, dance, food and clothing are just a few markers of this diversity.
- Palestinian memory and oral traditions are strong.
- Older family members, such as grandmothers (sittis) are respected and loved among the youngsters.
- The symbol of the key is present in most stories – a common image of the hope of return to Palestine.
- There are various ways Palestinians choose to keep their heritage alive as a means of resisting erasure. This includes through their choice of children’s names, storytelling, and teaching the message of resilience and hope across generations and borders.
Although these books about Palestine are for children, I’ve learned so much myself. The enduring message is that Palestinian life itself equals resistance and embodies the message of hope which is so powerful and uplifting.
May Allah give Palestinians their freedom, justice and right to return back to their land, and may we all learn from them hope, resilience and strength. Ameen.
