Books set in Baghdad (for kids)

[MotherOfCrocodiles]

DD (year 5, good reader) is doing “Early Islamic Civilization” at school. Can anyone recommend books around this topic, fiction or non fiction? I’ve had a look on the web but it seems quite slim pickings. Especially keen to find some fiction.

Any 1001 Arabian Nights for young readers would fit the bill.

There's a retelling of it with a Iraqi folktales called A Fistful of Pearls.

Not Iraq, but there's a beautiful book called The Cat man of Aleppo.

If you go down those rabbit holes the algorithm might help you ☺️.

Fascinating topic!

Thank you! I have ordered the fistful of pearls, that sounds lovely- and the 1001 nights with illustrations by Jan Pienkowski. Tempted by the cat man, but she might get upset about the cats. Or about the human victims of war, but she’s more likely to worry about the cats…

@happylittlefruitthanks, “a fistful of pearls” was read in a single sitting, so that gets the seal of approval!

Try Elizabeth Laird’s books. They are often set in that part of the world and are written for 9-13yr olds. I loved The Breadwinner (collection of 3 books).

Thanks- the fistful of pearls recommended above is Elizabeth Laird in fact!

Will have a look at the breadwinner

It's not Baghdad, or even Iraq, but The Map of Salt and Stars is a book you might want to look up that I think your daughter will enjoy.

Thanks @greysswould you say it is suitable for a nine year old? Quick look suggests it might be a bit mature

I've read it, It's a really good book, but I read it in my twenties. I think it's probably a bit mature for a 9 year old.

It might be. I can't remember everything but there's nothing graphic I think.

I was going to suggest Oranges in No Man’s Land (it’s not quite what you’re looking for), which is also by Elizabeth Laird. Dd read it at school when she was younger than 9 so it’s suitable. She also read The Enchanted Horse by Jamila Gavin recently, which is a retelling of Arabian Nights.