All English Books

Looking back with love

Khalid Albudoor, Fadhil al-Azzawi and Paul Thuysbaert

You could say that poetry makes the invisible in our lives visible, bringing intangible and abstract memories and emotions within our grasp. The written word and lyrical images have the power to transform and enable us to perceive the time and place of the poem sensually, and on a deeper, more passionate level.

HCT Books

This book project began in Dubai Women’s College. It was decided that children’s storybooks would be the perfect vehicle to utilize the illustrative skills of the students and the writing skills and knowledge of stories and children of the Education students. The students went through ups and downs with regards to their collaboration, the meetings they scheduled with each other and the eventual production of the complete storybook. We offer you the final product of their hard work.

A Grumpy Friend

Bu Tubayla

Happy Eid

I Went Walking

In the Fridge

The Pencil and the Rubber

Life without Colours

Tom Visits Rashid in Dubai

The Huge Crocodile and the Tiny Frog

They're Yummy in our Tummies

The Long Eared King

The Smallest Hump

Whose Footprints are These

Sea Djinn

Linda Davies

When Finn Kennedy comes to live in Dubai, he expects to do nothing more adventurous than surf a few good waves. Then he meets Triton, the Sea Djinn, a supernatural being with spectacular powers. Triton reveals that Finn’s parents have been kidnapped at sea by Hydrus, the evil Sea Djinn, who is preparing to wage war against Triton‘s and Finn‘s worlds in a battle of the Djinns that has been brewing for a thousand years.
Triton recruits Finn to his army and bestows on him some of his own powers. Finn, together with his cousin, Georgina, and his friend, Fred, prepares to travel to the underwater lair of Hydrus, far across the sea in the Dark Kingdom, to rescue his parents and to fight Hydrus.
Along the way, the friends meet Mr Violet, no ordinary teacher, who trains them in the skills they will need if they are to have any chance of surviving. Their training is cut short when they find themselves in grave danger and must escape.
They steal a boat and set sail for the Dark Kingdom….

Fire Djinn

Linda Davies

The Prince of Atlantis is back.
His powers are growing but so is the threat.......

Finn Kennedy, his cousin Georgina and their friend Fred are camping at night in the deserts of Dubai when an unseen Voice reveals to them a horiffic vision foretelling the end of the world. The Voice cries out for Lightfighters to enter the battle and to free him. Finn, Fred and Georgie, Lightfighters all of them, cannot turn away. Once more they leave their normal lives behind to embark upon an adventure that takes them beyond the boundaries of this world into the terrifying kingdom of the Dark Fire Djinn.

Storm Djinn

Linda Davies

Finn Kennedy, the prince of Atlantis, is back in the third thrilling novel inthe Djinn Quintet, this time, he must develop a new power.

Creatures of Arabia

Arabia is home to an amazing variety of animal life. Hundreds of beautiful and fascinating creatures are hiding amid the sand and rocks in the deserts and mountains, or seeking water in wadis and plantations. Many of these animals are found only in Arabia; some are very rare.

This series, appropriate for Key Stage 2, looks at how animals adapt to life in the harsh Arabian environment and climate, local habitats, threats to animal and conservation issues.

Creatures of Arabia: Mammals

Mike Unwin & Frances LaBonte

From the well-known camel to the rarely seen Arabian leopard, life is not easy for mammals in Arabia. In this book you will meet some of the marvellous and mysterious creatures. Discover sand cats hiding from the heat in burrows, spot the huge ears of a Blanford’s fox, and find out about the sweet-toothed honey badger that can walk all night.

Creatures of Arabia: Sea Creatures

Sue Graves & Frances LaBonte

With their seagrass beds, coral reefs and deep open waters, Arabian seas are full of amazing sea creatures. In this book you’ll discover the sometimes weird and wonderful creatures that lurk in Arabia’s warm seas, from parrotfish that cover themselves in slime, to sailfish that can swim faster than a cheetah can run.

Creatures of Arabia: Reptiles & Amphibians

Martin Walters & Frances LaBonte

Reptiles are superbly adapted to live in Arabia’s deserts under the hot sun. Slithering through this book are bat-catching snakes, skinks that swim through sand and lizards that change colour. But the desert isn’t so perfect for amphibians: Frogs and toads have to stick to wadis and oases to find a nice damp place to live.

Creatures of Arabia: Birds

Sue Graves & Frances LaBonte

From the coasts to the mountains, Arabia is a wonderful place to find birds. Some live there all year round; others stop over during winter migration. This book brings to life the colourful and curious world of birds, with snake-eating eagles, coursers that prefer to run rather than fly, and shrikes that skewer their prey on a thorn.

Creatures of Arabia - Gift Pack

Contains:

  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Sea Creatures
  • Reptiles & Amphibians

A Taste of Arabia

Jessie Parker

Best-selling and internationally award winning A Taste of Arabia was voted Best Arab Cuisine Book at the Gourmand world Book Awards.

Simply British

Penny Holmes and Susan Mallet

Find out how to prepare the best of British dishes, with traditional recipes from fish and chips and cottage pie to trifle and summer pudding, all updated for today's tastes. You will find also afew delicious variations on some old favourites!

Sheikh Zayed

Frances LaBonte

  • Born in 1918, Sheikh Zayed became the first president of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. When the discovery of oil brought wealth to the UAE, Sheikh Zayed guided the country wisely and peacefully as it progressed rapidly from tents and camels to modern houses, computers and cars. Through simple text and lots of photographs, this book tells the story of the man whom many people call the ‘Father of the Nation,’ from his early childhood in the desert to his years as an internationally respected statesman.

The Arabian Date Palm

Frances LaBonte

  • The Arabian Date Palm is amazing!
    For thousands of years, date palms have grown in the harsh conditions of the desert, providing food, shade and shelter to the people of the Arabian peninsula.
    This fascinating book investigates how date palms are farmed and how, through history, they have provided everything from delicious dates to houses, baskets, fans and toys.

FREEJ Sticker Books

FREEJ Arabic for neighbourhood is the Middle East’s first 3D animated series and the brainchild of Mohammed Saeed Harib. FREEJ tells of four elderly women living in a secluded neighbourhood of a rapidly changing and fast growing Dubai. Humorous and entertaining, many of today’s issues are tackled with a supporting cast of many colourful characters.

Learn all about your favourite characters from FREEJ. With over 50 stickers to find and put in place, this is an ideal combination of learning and fun! Keep children busy with this Sticker Activity Fun Book, packed with picture puzzles, games and fantastic stickers to find!

All About FREEJ

Look After Our World

School Time!

Ramadan and Eid

Children’s Atlas of Arabia and the World

Wafa Tarnowska

This children’s atlas presents a unique view of the world, taking as it does the Arab World as its focus. It is colourful, filled with absorbing facts and information children never realised they needed to know.

Children of the Sun growing up in the gulf

Piyu Majumdar and Paul Thuysbaert

Children of the Sun by Piyu Majumdar and Paul Thuysbaert describes the unique experience of growing up in the Gulf through evocative poetry and vivid photographs. From sand dunes and camels to theme parks and malls, the book describes the many traditional and modern pursuits that make up our lives here and can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

Children of the Sun 2 growing up in the gulf

Piyu Majumdar and Paul Thuysbaert

Life in the Gulf does enchant and enthrall, Sand dunes and palm trees, the muezzin's call, Malls, souks and beaches and skyscrapers tall, We live it and love it and savour it all!

Abdullah and his Grandfather

Andy McNab

Abdullah is eleven-years-old and, in the eyes of his grandfather, ‘coming of age’. Join the two men, young and old, as they set off together on their own journey of discovery and explore for themselves Wadi Hasik and all the natural wonders it has to offer.

See what they see. Feel what they feel. Smell what they smell and then maybe you will understand a little more about the Fusus al Arabia or the Jewel of Arabia.

Omar’s Goats

Kathy Hoopmann

When Omar takes his goats out to graze each day, he is dismayed to find rubbish everywhere. It’s terrible! When his goats get cut and hurt and sick, finally he cries, ‘Enough!’ And sets out to solve the problem in a most surprising way.

Fishcakes and Jelly

Una Rawlinson

Have you ever been invited,
To a party under the sea?
Have you ever had
fishcakes and jelly for tea?
Meet my friends the dolphin,
dugong and whale,
And see my legs change
Into a mermaid’s tail….
Delightfully illustrated, this children’s book is a warm and fun-filled tale which revels in the marine life which aboundant in the Arabian Sea.

Environmental Handbook

Kathy Hoopmann

Children will only respect and protect the environment when they understand the consequences of their actions, and they will only understand when they are taught. Education is the key to saving our environment. And the Environmental Handbook for Teachers educates children and teachers alike.

Humph's Travels

Chrissie Jenkins

Humph is a cute little camel from the United Arab Emirates, who decides to explore his own country. He finds a wonderful land full of amazing places, buildings and projects. Humph has many escapades with his new friends; everything from dune driving to running in a camel race. Read more to find out all about his trip around the Emirates and you will find lots of interesting information too!

This is the first in a series of books on Humph’s Travels; he soon goes international! Look out for them and learn about many new countries with Humph.

Cherry Loving Leila

Aniko Brauner and Una Rawlinson

Leila, a naughty giraffe, loves cherries. So does Rashid, the game warden. But there is only one cherry tree on the island where the two are living. And that causes problems. BIG PROBLEMS. But, suddenly, something unexpected happens and Leila and Rashid become the best of friends.

The Sifrah Glider

Ahmad AbdulGhani Al Redha

A class of children is in for a treat when their class guest turns out to be an Emirati man who teaches them about his traditional dress and the significance behind each item. Told with a great sense of fun, and amusingly illustrated.

Raya's Globe

Maha Sarraf Shehadeh

Raya wants to find out where she is really from and goes on an imaginary journey, inspired by the globe in her room, exploring each of the countries which are part of her life. By the end of the story, Raya has made a surprising discovery.

Jamila the White Falcon

Mirjam Ricarda Hampel

When Jamila takes part in the Annual Falcon Speed Racing Competition the excitement among birds and handlers is intense!

Read this delightful tale which both informs and entertains the reader, putting the age old sport of kings and rulers into a modern context.

Foxy Tales Vol 1

Denys Johnson-Davies

These two entertaining stories are delightfully and amusingly illustrated.
Foxes are well known for being clever and cunning, and this is indeed the case in The Cunning Fox where an old woman is outwitted by a fox. In The Fox The Pigeon and The Heron the fox outsmarts both the pigeon and the heron in the wiliest manner!

A Pair of Hoopoes

Denys Johnson-Davies

A young man spends the only money he has on two hoopoes, and then generously sets them free so that they may enjoy life. The story tells us that, among Islamíc teachings, is the lesson that humans should be kind to animals. The story also shows us that we are often rewarded for a kindness done to an animal or bird.

The story of The Two Hoopoes is taken from ‘Kalila wa Dimna’s’ Tales, one of the great classics of Arabic Literature.

Pierre's Adventure in Arabia

Janice Edgar and Donna Acheson-Juillet

Pierre is a Canada Goose who spends most of his time on the shores of Georgian Bay in the province of Ontario located in central Canada. He generally heads ‘south’ for the winter, but, one year, he altered his plans and landed in Arabia.

The Story of a Mouse

Denys Johnson-Davies

The Story of a Mouse is adapted from the book ‘Kalila Wa Dimna’, regarded as one of the great classics of Arabic Literature. The present story tells of a mouse that falls from the skies into the hands of a holy man. The story recounts what happens after that.

Pierre's Adventure in Arabia (French)

Pierre is a Canada Goose who spends most of his time on the shores of Georgian Bay in the province of Ontario located in central Canada. He generally heads ‘south’ for the winter, but, one year, he altered his plans and landed in Arabia.

The Traveller

Denys Johnson-Davies

Another delightful story for young readers, from the pen of Denys Johnson-Davies, which tells of the adventures of a traveller and how his kindness almost costs him his life! Whimsical illustrations bring an attractive visualization to this retelling of a tale from the famous Arab Classic ‘Khalila Wa Dimna’.

Bella the Desert Dog

Janice Edgar and Donna Acheson-Juillet

Bella, The Desert Dog is a heartwarming story about love and hope. It is a true story about a family’s beloved pet, shared through fond memories and prized moments.
Although she came into their lives in a roundabout way, Bella left a deep and lasting impression and it is obvious that the joy she gave lives on, despite her absence. It is a positive exploration of life’s harsh realities that inspires a healthy attitude of acceptance.

The Camel That Got Away

Julia Johnson

Illustrated by Una Rawlinson

Some most unusual camels have come into town - unlike real camels, they’re not black or white or brown. I’m sure you will have seen them all over Dubai, for their brightly coloured coats really catch the eye. One day they were standing on public display, and this is the story of the one that got away!

The Camel Beauty Contest

Marilyn Sheffield

Kamilla the camel is entered into a beauty contest by her owner. At the contest she finds many beautiful camels. She thinks they are more beautiful than she is but the judge is not only looking for a beautiful face, but also a beautiful personality. Has Kamilla got what it takes to win...?

The Tale of Two Donkeys

Denys Johnson-Davies

Young Yusuf is the son of a farmer and lives outside the city of Tangier in the north of Morocco. He goes to school each day riding on his donkey Duldul. But one year there are no rains and nothing for Duldul to eat, so Yusuf’s father has to sell Duldul which makes Yusuf very sad. But it all works out for the best in the end.

Bird's Eye View

Julia Johnson

Look up, look up and see them, Like words with wings they fly, Hundreds of birds together, Scribbled across the sky!
Some have always been here, And some of them are new But many more can now be seen, Where once there were a few. You can hear them if you listen, You can see them if you look, And you’ll find some rhymes about them in the pages of this book.

You're Too Little !

Caroline Borthwick and Judi Barrett-Lennard

‘You’re too little!’ everyone tells Ali, when all he wants to do is help. Discover the ancient Arab world of Dhow building through the eyes of Ali and find out how, in the end, he’s not too little.

Desert Leveret

Kathy Hoopmann

Illustrated by Donna Acheson-Juillet

‘Crouch down low my precious, for the night has teeth and tongue.’ With these words of wisdom, the mother hare begins her baby’s education. And with the unrelenting sun, shamaals, carnivores and humans to deal with, the little leveret has a lot to learn! Beautifully illustrated with soft watercolours, this touching story of survival will leave you amazed at how a one day old leveret can learn more about the desert than most humans learn in a lifetime.

Tales of Arabia: Deenoh and Arbab

Denys Johnson-Davies

This is the story of two little goats and their encounter with a wicked witch. We follow their mother as she challenges the witch, and good wins over evil.

Shiree: The Life of a Sea Turtle

Michael Molnar

Shiree is the story of a female green sea turtle. The story follows the life of Shiree from the moment she hatches from her egg until she becomes a mother. It provides an insight into the life of one turtle and the dangers that all sea turtles must face in the wild if they are to survive.

Tales of Arabia: The Woodcutter

Struggling to feed his family, the woodcutter discovers a genie in a tree in the forest. The genie takes pity on the poor woodcutter, but his foolishness leads him into trouble over and over again. Will he ever learn?

Tales of Arabia: The King And His Three Daughters

The king asks his daughters how much they love him and the answer of his third daughter greatly displeases him. Banished from her home, she will teach her father a valuable lesson when they meet again after many years.

Zoom in On Camels

Marilyn Sheffield

After researching the facts in this book, it is easy to understand why the camel is known as Ata Allah in Arabia. In English, Ata Allah means ‘God’s Gift’. I now truly understand the importance of the amazing camel.
I hope you do too.
Long may the camel survive!

Tales of Arabia: The Great Warrior Ali

Ali’s father was a great warrior and Ali wants to be just like him. He’s never had training as a warrior but somehow manages to convince everyone he is a swordsman. We follow his adventures in this wonderful story from Oman.

The Sea (Bilingual)

The 21 short stories are the winning entries from students living in the UAE. The theme 'The Sea' runs through all these imaginative tales written by some very talented young writers in Arabic and English.