Best Lebanese Books, Toys and Games for Kids

Beirut has long been one of the main centres of Arabic publishing, and several houses in the city have built serious lists for young readers. Alongside them you will find a literacy association that makes learning games and a few makers of children’s clothing and outings.

How we chose

Every name here is listed in the Made in Liban directory and is based in Lebanon. We favoured publishers and makers with a clear children’s focus and enough published information to describe them accurately, and we drew each entry only from that information. We have not reviewed individual titles or played every game, so treat this as a starting point for your own browsing.

Arabic children’s publishers

Asala Publishers

Shereen Kredieh started Asala in 1998, selling her first title from her father’s stand at book fairs. The list now runs past 1,600 Arabic titles, from picture books and early readers to realistic fiction and modern fantasy, all reviewed by an in-house educational team. Kredieh chose to leave comprehension questions out so reading stays a pleasure. “When You Get Angry” took the 2013 Etisalat Award for Best Production. Visit Asala Publishers

Dar Al-Hadaek

Author Nabiha Mheidly founded this Beirut house in 1987, and it is described as the first press in the Arab world to focus only on books for children and young people. It has released more than 450 titles for ages 2 to 14 in print, e-book and audiobook form, including books adapted for children with special needs. It also publishes two children’s magazines, Ahmad and Tuta Tuta. Visit Dar Al-Hadaek

Academia International

Set up in Beirut in 1990 as an academic publisher, Academia later built a children’s list sorted into age bands from 3 to 6 up to 12 and over. The “A Story for Every Letter” series pairs each Arabic letter with a story, which makes it useful for early readers. Its picture book “The Pomegranate Girl” won the 2014 Etisalat Award for Best Illustration. Visit Academia International

Dar Onboz

This Beirut publisher is known for artful, award-winning Arabic picture books and sets out to reimagine what an Arabic children’s book can look like. It is a good name to look for if you want picture books that adults will enjoy reading aloud too.

Samir Éditeur

Based in Beirut, Samir Éditeur publishes children’s books and educational titles in Arabic, French and English. That spread of languages suits the many Lebanese families who read to their children in more than one.

General publishers with young readers’ lists

Arab Scientific Publishers

Founded in 1987 by Bassam Chebaro, this general publisher is best known for bringing international fiction and nonfiction into Arabic, and it keeps a strong line for children and teenagers. In 2015 it won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Publishing and Technology. Older children who have read a popular series in English may find it here in Arabic. Visit Arab Scientific Publishers

Hachette Antoine

Formed in 2009 as a joint venture between Hachette Livre and the Lebanese bookseller Librairie Antoine, this Beirut house publishes in Arabic, English and French. Its children’s and young adult books sit alongside Arabic fiction from its Naufal imprint, cookbooks, dictionaries and French-language school textbooks. Visit Hachette Antoine

Games, bookshops and more

Ana Aqra

This Beirut literacy association, active since 1994, designs Arabic learning games for children aged 3 to 12. Its “I Play and Learn with Ana Aqra” kit holds nine games, including seven leveled card games and two board games, covering phonics, vocabulary and reading comprehension. A second kit, Just Right Start, works in Arabic, English and French and was approved for Lebanese public schools. Sales fund programs for out-of-school children. Visit Ana Aqra

Turning Point Books

For browsing in person, this Beirut bookseller stocks English and international books, including children’s titles, along with stationery and gifts.

Dale Corazon – Lebanon Explorers

When the books are finished, this ecotourism group, running since 2011, offers The Little Explorer, a program for children, alongside its hikes, harvest days and camping trips. Visit Dale Corazon – Lebanon Explorers

Tips

Match books to reading level as well as age; several publishers sort their lists into age bands to help.
For children learning Arabic, letter-by-letter series and illustrated card games make a gentler start than long texts.
Families raising bilingual or trilingual children can look for publishers working in Arabic, French and English.
Book fairs in Lebanon are a good chance to see many publishers’ children’s lists side by side.
Educational games work best with an adult or older child playing along at first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who publishes Arabic children’s books in Lebanon?

Several Beirut houses do, including Asala Publishers, Dar Al-Hadaek, Academia International, Dar Onboz and Samir Éditeur. Dar Al-Hadaek is described as the first Arab press to focus only on books for children and young people.

Are there Lebanese educational games for learning to read Arabic?

Yes. The Ana Aqra association makes the “I Play and Learn with Ana Aqra” kit for ages 3 to 12, with card and board games built around phonics, vocabulary and comprehension.

Can I find Lebanese children’s books in French or English?

Samir Éditeur publishes in Arabic, French and English, and Hachette Antoine publishes children’s and young adult books in all three languages.