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Learn About the Arab Diaspora in the U.S. With These 6 Books by Arab American Authors

What does it mean to be Arab American? Artists who are a part of the Arab diaspora are an integral part of the American literary landscape, and their works help us gain a fuller picture of their wide-ranging lived experiences. Arab American Heritage Month is the perfect time to celebrate some of the must-read books that celebrate the diversity, beauty, and complexity of the Arab American community — as well as the authors who so masterfully share these stories. 

From best-selling fiction to children’s books, these six selections will not only help readers who are looking to connect with (or learn more about) the Arab diaspora, but they all highlight the indelible, and essential, marks Arab American authors are leaving on the whole of American literature. 

A Country Called Amreeka: U.S. History Retold Through Arab-American Lives by Alia Malek  

Journalist and lawyer Alia Malek expands the conversation around U.S. history in A Country Called Amreeka: U.S. History Retold Through Arab-American Lives . Her unique perspective as a child of immigrants and her journalistic expertise come together in this 2009 release to present a vulnerable portrait of how specific events over the past 40-plus years have impacted Arab American families. 

Malek is deeply invested in civil rights work, which is abundantly clear in this captivating book — and in her writing at large. Here, she uses each chapter to discuss a different moment in American history — beginning in 1963 — and illustrates how the stories of the Arab diaspora are not only part of the story of America, but a vital part of understanding U.S. history in its entirety.

How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America by Moustafa Bayoumi  

What is it like to navigate multiple realities? What happens when prejudice and public perception threaten your life and livelihood? How do you navigate the everyday violence of microaggressions and the very real threat of being betrayed and berated by neighbors and so-called friends in what is supposed to be “the land of the free”? Egyptian American author Moustafa Bayoumi tackles all those questions and more in How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America . 

After 9/11, while many Americans called for unity and emphasized community, Arab Americans were subjected to life-altering discrimination. Bayoumi shares the stories of folks like Sami, a young marine, and Rasha, an FBI detainee, among others as they navigate the world. Devastatingly honest, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? grapples with how to survive — and wonders about the possibility of thriving in a society that both desires your contributions and simultaneously denies your humanity. 

Beyond Memory: An Anthology of Contemporary Arab American Creative Nonfiction by Pauline Kaldas & Khaled Mattawa

There are a wealth of cultures and life experiences among Arab Americans; Beyond Memory: An Anthology of Contemporary Arab American Creative Nonfiction is a wonderful representation of just some of those stories. This non-fiction offering from award-winning authors Pauline Kaldas and Khaled Mattawa celebrates the diversity of the Arab American experience by highlighting voices from Egypt, Palestine, Libya, Syria and Lebanon. 

As editors of this volume, Kaldas and Mattawa have skillfully curated the narratives presented in this book in order to present a dynamic vision of the Arab diaspora, and the writers they’ve selected share their experiences in styles as varied as their stories. This anthology is a must-read work for anyone who loves experimental writing or creative nonfiction. 

The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar

A story about heritage, community, and transformation is at the heart of Zeyn Joukhadar’s 2020 novel. In an interview with NPR, Joukhadar shared that this novel is an attempt “to get at that sort of wordless complexity that lies in a space beyond language” — and it absolutely succeeds. 

The Thirty Names of Night explores the power of both family history and queer community as the reader follows a Syrian American trans boy who feels most himself when he’s painting murals on the abandoned buildings of Manhattan’s Little Syria.

One night, a chance encounter with an artist’s diary leads our protagonist on a journey of self-discovery — one that touches upon all who came before him; his ever-shifting identity in the present; and all of the possibilities that may await in the future. Lyrical and richly imagined, Joukhadar’s page-turner won both a Lambda Literary Award and a Stonewall Book Award. 

The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil 

Sure to be a hit during story time, this next book is the perfect addition to any classroom. Educator and award-winning author Aya Khalil crafted an exceptional story for young readers in The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story — a book that’s made even better thanks to fantastic illustrations by Anait Semirdzyhan. 

When young Kanzi writes a poem about a gift from her grandmother, she sets in motion a series of events that leads to cultural exchange and brand-new connections. Throughout the story, Khalil emphasizes the beauty of diversity and the wonderful discoveries that await curious and welcoming young minds.

This book can also introduce audiences who may be unfamiliar with Arab American experiences to new cultural norms, thus affirming children who are all too often underrepresented. Full of moments of cultural appreciation and the knowledge that embracing differences is essential, The Arabic Quilt is a story readers of all ages can connect with. 

You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat 

Imagine hearing “you exist too much” after sharing a vulnerable truth. In Zaina Arafat’s 2020 release, a Palestinian American young woman is met with this response after disclosing that she’s queer. To make matters more impressive, You Exist Too Much is Arafat’s Lambda Literary Award-winning debut novel. 

As NPR puts it, the book is “a narrative about borders, both physical and mental” — our protagonist confronts these borders as well as the depths of her own desires and struggles. In doing so, she begins the process of understanding herself, all while navigating life’s many other challenges. This honest and beautiful offering from Arafat is simply impossible to put down. 

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What Is a Picture Book and What Makes a Great Picture Book!

Picture book age range | picture book word count | what is a picture book, last updated on: october 05, 2022, picture book definition, picture book age range, nonfiction picture books, concept picture books, poetry picture books, fiction picture books, who should a picture book be about, picture book word count, picture book sizes, should a picture book be written in past tense or present tense, how about first person versus third person, picture book page count, picture book length, picture book front cover, picture book spine, picture book back cover.

• Book end sheets

The book block

A picture book is a story intended for the youngest of readers, in which the illustrations and the text work together to tell the story. Picture books are usually read to children, not by children. They are meant for children who are not yet able to read, and help them develop a sense of storytelling, plot, and language recognition. Picture books have illustrations on every page because looking at art helps with story comprehension and understanding that words have meaning. The illustrations also help children contextualize text by giving visual cues to the meaning of the words on a page. In addition, picture book illustrations strengthens a child's observation skills, as there is often more happening in the art than stated in the text. But understanding the definition of a picture book is not the same as understanding essential elements that make a great picture book: picture book word count, age range, and page count to name a few. So let's take a look at what makes a good picture book!

Picture books are primarily intended for children aged 3-7! That one piece of information guides everything else in your book: word count, trim size, and plot. This, above all, is the thing I see authors get wrong when they tell me about their book. I have had people tell me their books is for ages 0-3, and others tell me it is for ages 3-10 (and beyond!) While it’s entirely possible that anyone in that age range might read the book, 0-3 is truly too young, and 3-10 is far too broad.

That being said, it is certainly true that some picture books skew older. You might find a book targeted up to 8 years old, but those books tend to be either nonfiction or about far more complicated subject matter than your standard picture book, and are often books used for classroom learning. Why? Because by eight years old, a child is reading independently—often chapter books. Most eight-year-olds would not want to be seen with a picture book, if for no reason other than fear of feeling babyish. So, while it’s fine for classroom learning, where large books and large pictures make for easier sharing, it’s unlikely to be picked up by parents.

Speaking of parents, don’t forget that while your book is written for children, it does have a secondary audience: the adult reading the book. Picture books walk a fine line between a story that is enjoyable for a child and one that has enough for an adult to make them willing to read it again and again. Keep in mind that while older books are selected by the child, picture books are selected by the parent!

What are the types of picture books?

Nonfiction books are books based on facts, real people, or real events. For picture books, a nonfiction title is often based on one of three things:

• A historical event
• A biography of an important person
• An examination of the natural world (a look at a particular animal or grouping of animals; a look at a particular habitat) And sometimes these cross over. Take, for example, Schomberg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford:

This book is biography of a man. But it is also the history of an important event: the creation of the New York Public Library.  And of course, there are few picture book authors out there that haven't read I Dissent by Debbie Levy, a picture book biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

But of course, with a book, any topic is fair game, so long as it's something that will interest a child in the right age range.

These are books that teach early concepts, and are one of the most popular picture book themes. They are used by the youngest of readers as a teaching tool. Among the most common concept picture book themes are:

• Alphabet books

Sometimes concept books simply list the concept being shown. Other times they are worked around a story. Take for example the pic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom By Bill Martin, Jr. and ABCD Eat! by Bill Heck.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom introduces the letters through a story about them climbing a coconut tree, while ABCD Eat! simply lists a word that starts with each letter. Neither approach is better or worse, they are simply different takes on the same concept.

Picture books can be full stories written in rhyme (more on that later), a collection of poems by a single author on a single theme, a collection of poems by a single author on an undefined theme, or a collection of poems by several authors. Here's a great example from Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.

Here you can see that each page is its own poem, each tied to the central theme of the book.

Fiction means you're making up a story. This is the most common kind of picture book, and when it comes to what it can be about, the sky's the limit. There is no reason you can’t write about whatever makes you—or your children—happy. But again, keep in mind your target audience. Children of this age are still learning about the world, so picture books, no matter how serious or whimsical, tend to present situations and characters young children can understand and relate to. This is why subjects such as farm, bedtime, friendship, and ABC are perennially popular. One of the first things we teach our kids is what sounds animals make, so this is a subject matter they are familiar with and can relate to. A book about a class test, on the other hand, won’t be something a four-year-old who has never been in school can understand.

This again comes down to what kids can understand and relate to. And the answer is that they can relate to themselves! That is why so many picture books are about children. Just keep in mind life experience. A four-year-old can’t relate to a ten-year-old’s life, so try to keep your protagonist in the same age range as your reader.

These days, publishing companies prefer to have picture book protagonists who are human. But for authors who intend to self-publish, the sky’s the limit: is your main character an animal? A monster? A vegetable? Whoever your story is about, have fun with it!

Traditional guidance says picture book word count should not exceed 1,000 words. And, in fact, this is the cap that many agents put on manuscripts. If your book is longer than 1,000 words, they won’t even review it. In reality, the sweet spot is closer to 500-700 words.

Most picture books are written in past tense. That is because they skip around in time. Present tense works well in books for older readers because we can get inside a narrator’s head and find out what we missed. But with picture books, that’s not usually an option. Present tense is great if the entire story is told without any time lags, but if you are jumping around at all, it will likely read better in past tense.

Although there are absolutely exceptions, most picture books are written in third person. Why? Again, it comes down to the audience. Young children love to hear stories, but many don’t have the imagination yet to picture themselves in the story. Setting in first person makes the reader feel like a character. Their imaginations must immerse them in the story. Using third person allows them to enjoy a story as an observer, which they are more accustomed to doing. First person also limits what the reader can see and know to what their narrator sees and knows. Third person gives a bit more flexibility, as the whole world isn't seen solely through the narrator's eyes.

What are the elements of a picture book?

Picture books are traditionally 32 pages. The way those pages are set up typically follows a particular order and particular guidelines.

Your book cover should list your title (ideally in the top third of the book) as well as the author and illustrator name. Standard practice is to cite the author simply by name, while citing the illustrator as "Illustrated by"

The spine of your book is the part that faces out when a book is on the shelf. It should feature 3 elements, running from top to bottom:

• Author/illustrator last name
• Company or imprint name (larger publishing companies are broken into several divisions, each with their own unique acquisition list and personality. Each section is called an imprint.) Spine text should be set with the bottom of the letters facing the back cover.

Below is a book case example from my picture book Say Cheese published by my publishing company Charge Mommy Books . On sale now!

Book end papers (or end sheets)

Opening a hardcover picture book, the very first thing you will see are the end papers (or end sheets). These are the pages that glue the inside of the book (the book block) to the cover. If you are using print on demand, they will always be white. If you are using an offset printer, they can either be a color or can feature art. End sheets don't count toward the page count of your book, but rather are an additional 8 pages. They are only used in a hardcover book.

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I HIGHLY recommend Brooke as an editor - she was an absolute pleasure to work with and I will be using her again in the future. Brooke provided an editorial assessment and three developmental edits to my picture book manuscript. I learned so much from Brooke throughout the processes; she's incredibly talented, timely, and added significant value. She really helped whip my manuscript into shape!...

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What Is a Picture Book?

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A picture book is a book, typically for children, in which the illustrations are as important as—or more important than—the words in telling the story. Picture books have traditionally been 32 pages long, although Little Golden Books are 24 pages. In picture books, there are illustrations on every page or on one page of every pair of facing pages.

While most picture books still are written for younger children, a number of excellent picture books for upper elementary and middle school readers have been published. The definition of "children's picture book" and the categories of picture books have also enlarged.

Impact of Author and Illustrator Brian Selznick

The definition of children's picture books was greatly expanded when Brian Selznick won the 2008 Caldecott Medal for picture book illustration for his book " The Invention of Hugo Cabret ." The 525-page middle-grade novel told the story not only in words but in a series of sequential illustrations. All told, the book contains more than 280 pictures interspersed throughout the book in sequences of multiple pages.

Since then, Selznick has written two more highly regarded middle-grade picture books. " Wonderstruck ," which also combines pictures with text,   was published in 2011 and became a New York Times bestseller. " The Marvels ,"  published in 2015, contains two stories set 50 years apart that come together at the end of the book. One of the stories is told entirely in pictures. Alternating with this story is another told entirely in words. 

Common Categories of Children's Picture Books

Picture Book Biographies:  The picture book format has proved effective for biographies, serving as an introduction to the lives of a variety of accomplished men and women. Picture book biographies such as "Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell," by Tanya Lee Stone with illustrations by Marjorie Priceman and " The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos ," by Deborah Heiligman with illustrations by LeUyen Pham, appeal to children in grades one to three.

Many more picture book biographies appeal to upper elementary school kids, while still others appeal to both upper elementary and middle school kids. Recommended picture book biographies include " A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin ," written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet, and " The Librarian of Basra: A True Story of Iraq ," written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter .

Wordless Picture Books: Picture books that tell the story completely through illustrations, with no words at all or a very few embedded in the artwork, are known as wordless picture books. One of the most stunning examples is " The Lion and the Mouse ," an Aesop's fable retold in illustrations by Jerry Pinkney , who received the 2010 Randolph Caldecott Medal for picture book illustration for his book. Another wonderful example that is often used in middle school writing classes as a writing prompt is " A Day, a Dog " by Gabrielle Vincent.

Classic Picture Books:  When you see lists of recommended picture books, you'll often see a separate category of books titled Classic Children's Picture Books. Typically, a classic is a book that has remained popular and accessible for more than one generation. A few of the best-known and best-loved English language picture books include " Harold and the Purple Crayon ," written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson , " The Little House " and " Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel ," both written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton, and " Goodnight Moon " by Margaret Wise Brown, with illustrations by Clement Hurd.

Sharing Picture Books With Your Child

It's recommended to begin sharing picture books with your children when they are babies and continue as they get older. Learning to "read pictures" is an important literacy skill, and picture books can play an important part in the process of developing visual literacy. 

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What Is a Picture Book?

A picture book is a book designed for children which uses pictures and illustrations to tell a story. In some cases, a picture book may convey the meaning of the story entirely through pictures, without any text at all. In other cases, text accompanies the pictures and is read along with them. In both instances, the book is designed to introduce young children to the idea of books and reading. As a general rule, each turn of the page reveals a new picture, or series of pictures.

Very young children are usually given board books , which are made with sturdy materials and bright, simple illustrations. Once children begin to grow out of board books, they are offered picture books as a transition before they begin simple chapter books . Most children start looking at these books at the age of two or three, and they may continue to enjoy them for several years. Initially, parents typically hold the books for their children, reading the text aloud and pointing out interesting features of the illustrations.

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The artistic medium of a picture book can vary widely. Pastels, paints, colored pencils, pens, watercolors, and collage are all used to illustrate these books. The illustrator tries to make the book visually lush, with detailed, interesting pictures to capture the imagination. The idea is to get children to ponder each page, savoring the details of the pictures and thinking about them. The pictures draw children into the book, leading him or her to be intrigued by other books, including those with words.

When picture books have text, it is relatively straightforward. Many books use rhyming text, to teach children about word rhythms and patterns. If the text is intended to be read by the child, it is usually printed in a clear, large font so that the child can readily pick out words on the page. More complex text which will be read aloud to the child may be in a smaller font, fitting more of a story in words onto each page.

The picture book as a concept emerged in the late 1800s, when the idea of introducing children to reading through pictures first emerged. Numerous famous authors and illustrators such as Beatrix Potter wrote these books during this period. Most modern picture books are written and illustrated by different people, although authors and illustrators sometimes collaborate on projects together. Typically, a publisher receives the text of the book from the author, and then sets out to find an illustrator. In a book with no words, the publisher may commission an illustrator with a specific concept in mind.

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

If you are referring to children's books with images and words that are interdependent, then it's a picturebook, not picture book. Peter Rabbit and A Walk in the Park are good example of this definition.

I'm doing homework on picture books and i have to describe why they are useful and much more. it gets complicated at the end. Help me.

Picture books in foreign languages can be a great way to learn language, for the same reason they are good for kids just starting to really get good at reading in their native language. Pictures help show what is happening, and words on the page are large and easy to read, often in short sentences, with a fair amount of repetition from section to section. I learned to read Norwegian that way, and now I am trying to learn to read Slovak with a translation of The Little Prince.

I still enjoy picture book illustrations. every so often, I try to go back to some of the picture books I used to read and enjoy as a small child and read them again. While my mother read to me a lot, I also read many on my own, and I remember many of the best.

tell me about illustrated story books!

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Guide to Picture Books   What are Picture Books? The phrase "picture book" is commonly used to describe a book, most often written for children, in which the content is conveyed through the use of words and pictures in combination or through pictures alone. A picture book differs from an illustrated book in that the pictures it contains form an essential part of the structure of the book. Due to physical factors in the bookbinding process, picture books are conventionally 32 pages long. Picture books are a relatively new form of book, originating in the early twentieth century. Wanda Gag is widely considered to be a pioneer in the development of the picture book form. The formula for illustrated books had been to show text on the left page and pictures on the right page, without combining them.  In Millions of Cats , Gag mixed up the order of pictures and text, combined pictures and text, and stretched pictures onto more than one page.  Her ideas paved the way for modern authors/illustrators like Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, and Eric Carle. Types of Picture Books Board Books Board books are meant for the youngest readers. Board books have cardboard pages to withstand wear and tear from little fingers and mouths. Age:  Birth-2 years. Examples: Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli Barnyard Dance  by Sandra Boynton     What's On My Head   by  Margaret Miller   Concept Books Concept books introduce children to a theme such as the alphabet, counting, colors or shapes.  Some can be as simple as “A is for Apple.”  Others are more complex like the "Miss Bindergarten" series, where each sentence uses a letter of the alphabet to tell a Kindergarten story. Age: suggested for   ages 2-8 Examples:   Freight Train  by Donald Crews   Feast for Ten by Cathryn Falwell   Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert Easy Readers Easy Reader books, also known as Beginning Readers or Early Readers, use a limited vocabulary and are structured as chapter books. Text blocks are bigger and the included images function more as illustrations than as essential elements in the story.  Some representative Easy Reader imprints are I Can Read, Ready to Read, and Easy-to-Read. Age: 4-8 years and novice readers Examples: The Cat in the Hat  by Dr. Seuss Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems       Non-Fiction Non-fiction picture books introduce children to new subjects in a simple way. Age: 3-12 years Examples:   A Million Dots by Andrew Clements   Bring on the Birds by Susan Stockdale   Wangari's Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter   Wordless In these types of books, the stories are told completely by the pictures. Making up stories to go with the pictures is a perfect pre-literacy activity. Age: 2-12 years Examples: The Snowman by Raymond Briggs   Flotsam by David Wiesner   Do You Want To Be My Friend? by Eric Carle     How do picture books help a child read? The experience of reading with a child creates a bond, hones a child's social skills and demonstrates the value the adult places on stories and reading. Research shows that children should be involved in the process of reading a book.  Allow the child to talk about things in the book by asking her questions and helping her to describe what she sees. The website for the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has good suggestions on how to involve your children while reading with them.  Reading with a child develops a number of the crucial building blocks of  literacy. Phonological Awareness  - The ability to hear and use the smaller sounds in words (Phonics) Vocabulary  - Knowing the names of things Print Awareness  - Knowing how to handle a book, follow text on a page and notice the words around them. Narrative Skills -  The ability to tell their own stories. Letter Knowledge  - Knowing the difference between the letters by their shape, name and sounds. Choosing a Picture Book Topic A child is more likely to become a reader if he reads (or has read to him) books that address his passions and concerns. A librarian can help you find something thematically appropriate. Reading Level As children begin to read on their own, they use knowledge about their reading levels to help choose materials that will yield the most satisfaction. A book with more white space, larger type, and fewer words per page is more appropriate for novice readers.  As readers become more skilled, they can navigate denser text blocks. The five-finger rule is a quick way to learn your child's reading level. Follow these steps: Pick a page and have the child read the whole page.   Have the child hold out a finger every time they see a word that they do not know or cannot pronounce. No fingers raised - the book is probably not challenging enough but, please note:   Children often get great comfort and satisfaction from being able to read an entire "easy" book by themselves.     If the child has 5  fingers raised – the book is probably too difficult and is likely to cause frustration.   Somewhere in the middle (1-4 fingers) is usually the best choice. The goal is exposure to new words. Make sure the child can understand what she reads. "Reading" the words without comprehension is of no benefit. Resources Websites

Association for Library Services to Children’s (ALSC's) Notable Children’s Books: Here are the titles that ALSC considers "the best of the best."  Caldecott Award : Find the annual winners of this prestigious American Library Association award, which was first conferred in 1937 to the "artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children" published in the preceding year.  Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator):   Another American Library Association award, this one is granted annually to an outstanding African-American illustrator of a book for children which "demonstrate[s] an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values."  Children’s Picture Book Database: This database from Miami University enables a user to search 5700 picture books by topics, concepts, and skills imparted through reading (e.g., coping). Picturing Books:   Here you will find everything you want to know about picture books from information about specific books, authors, and illustrators to general information about artistic style and typography.     Ask Us For more information please e-mail the Children's Department via  Ask-A-Librarian , call us at (410)-396-5402 or write us at: Children's Department Enoch Pratt Free Library 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201

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Meaning of picture book in English

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• exercise book
• novelistically
• young adult

Examples of picture book

Translations of picture book.

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a skilled and trained cook who works in a hotel or restaurant, especially the most important cook

I’d give my right arm for it: ways of saying ‘want’

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picture-book

Definition of picture-book

 (Entry 1 of 2)

picture book

Definition of picture book  (Entry 2 of 2)

• indefectible
• irreproachable
• letter-perfect
• picture-perfect
• unblemished

Example Sentences

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'picture-book.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1922, in the meaning defined above

1699, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near picture-book

picture bride

Cite this Entry

“Picture-book.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picture-book. Accessed 11 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of picture book.

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Definition of 'picture book'

• picture book

picture book in British English

picture book in American English

Picture-book in american english, examples of 'picture book' in a sentence picture book, trends of picture book.

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Browse alphabetically picture book

• picture a scene
• picture caption
• picture card
• picture desk
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'P'

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