Sounds they already know
Each letter is anchored to a familiar English sound, so the first step never feels foreign.
Picture book · Ages 4–12
The Arabic AlphabetFor the English Speaking Child
A book that helps English-speaking kids learn the Arabic alphabet through sounds and actions they already know, with a full-page picture on every spread to make each letter memorable.
Hardcover · 32 pages · Full color · ISBN 979-8-234-16180-2
Bridging English and Arabic, one letter at a time
The Arabic Alphabet: For the English Speaking Child gives teachers and parents a way to bridge the gap between English-speaking children and the Arabic alphabet, using similar sounds from English and actions where no matching sound exists. Every Arabic letter, excluding the hamzah, gets its own example and a full-page picture to help children visualize the word and build a strong memory connection to it.
Actions when sounds run out
For letters with no English equivalent, a simple physical action makes the sound stick.
A picture on every spread
Full-page illustrations give children an image to hold onto for every single letter.
A look inside
Warm, everyday scenes such as wudu at the sink, tangerines in a bowl, and a chick hatching are paired with the letter, its name and its sound.
About Ismail Alwaisi
Author · Teacher
Ismail Alwaisi is a revert to Islam who has spent the past several years learning to read and speak Arabic, a journey he is still continuing today. He hopes to attend Medinah University in Saudi Arabia. That personal journey, with all of its challenges, gave him a deep appreciation for how difficult those first steps can be for someone starting without a background in the language.
Now teaching at a Masjid throughout the year, he works directly with young children and teenagers who are learning the Arabic alphabet for the first time. The Arabic Alphabet: For the English Speaking Child grew out of that experience, using the same sound associations and connections that helped him learn the letters, now shared in a way that other children, teenagers, and the adults teaching them can use too.
Watch the video
A quick look at the book and why it was created.
Bring it to your classroom or living room
Best used alongside a parent or teacher, the book is built for reading together, letter by letter.
The Arabic Alphabet: For the English Speaking Child
Alwaisi, Ismail
Hardcover, 32 pages of ultra premium color, 11" × 8.5". A picture book that helps English-speaking kids learn the Arabic alphabet through sounds and actions they already know.
Sale price
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Contact the author
Have a question about the book, want to arrange a classroom visit, or are interested in bulk or school orders? Reach out directly.