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رِحْلَةُ الحُرُوف

A Walk Through the Letters

A Hayya Beena Naqraa story · Tier 0 (Whisper of the Alphabet · هَمْسَةُ الأَبْجَدِيَّة) · For ages 3–5

A pre-reader picture book. One letter, one word, one small picture per page. Read it slowly. Point to the letter. Let the child say the sound.

Cover page

رِحْلَةُ الحُرُوف

A Walk Through the Letters

A soft watercolor illustration of a small barefoot child, maybe 4 years old, with curly hair and pajamas, holding the hand of a gentle grandmother in a long simple dress. They are walking along a quie
🎨 Illustration prompt

A soft watercolor illustration of a small barefoot child, maybe 4 years old, with curly hair and pajamas, holding the hand of a gentle grandmother in a long simple dress. They are walking along a quiet stone path in a Levantine village at dawn. Pale gold light. The path winds toward small houses with red-tile roofs in the distance. A single jasmine vine spills over a low garden wall. The child is looking up, curious. The grandmother is smiling. Watercolor style, soft edges, no harsh outlines. No text in the image. Aspect ratio: square or 4:5 portrait.

Page 1

أ

أَرْنَب

A — Arnab (Rabbit)

A single small grey rabbit sitting in a patch of green clover on the stone path. The rabbit's ears are pricked up, alert and gentle. Morning dew on the clover. The background is soft, blurred green an
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single small grey rabbit sitting in a patch of green clover on the stone path. The rabbit's ears are pricked up, alert and gentle. Morning dew on the clover. The background is soft, blurred green and beige — almost empty, so the child's eye goes straight to the rabbit. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Page 2

ب

بَيْت

B — Bayt (House)

A simple, charming Levantine village house — pale sandstone walls, a red-tile roof, one wooden door, two small windows with potted basil on the sills. A grapevine climbs the side wall. The sky behind
🎨 Illustration prompt

A simple, charming Levantine village house — pale sandstone walls, a red-tile roof, one wooden door, two small windows with potted basil on the sills. A grapevine climbs the side wall. The sky behind is soft morning blue. The whole house is centered on the page, looking warm and welcoming. Watercolor style. No people in this image. No text in the image.

Page 3

ت

تُفَّاحَة

T — Tuffaha (Apple)

A single red apple resting on a small wooden table, beside it a tiny green leaf still attached to the stem. A few light strokes of watercolor red, with a soft yellow blush on one side. Behind, only a
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single red apple resting on a small wooden table, beside it a tiny green leaf still attached to the stem. A few light strokes of watercolor red, with a soft yellow blush on one side. Behind, only a hint of a window's light. Simple, almost still-life style. Watercolor. No text in the image.

Page 4

ث

ثَعْلَب

Th — Tha'lab (Fox)

A small reddish-brown fox peeking out from behind a low stone wall, only the head and front paws visible. Bright curious eyes, a white-tipped tail just barely showing. The wall has tiny wild flowers g
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small reddish-brown fox peeking out from behind a low stone wall, only the head and front paws visible. Bright curious eyes, a white-tipped tail just barely showing. The wall has tiny wild flowers growing between the stones. Watercolor style, warm orange-red tones. No text in the image.

Page 5

ج

جَمَل

J — Jamal (Camel)

A gentle camel with kind eyes and long lashes, head turned to look directly at the reader. Soft beige fur, a single tassel of red wool around its neck (no saddle, no rider, no desert tropes — just the
🎨 Illustration prompt

A gentle camel with kind eyes and long lashes, head turned to look directly at the reader. Soft beige fur, a single tassel of red wool around its neck (no saddle, no rider, no desert tropes — just the camel as a calm animal). Behind it, hills with sparse green olive trees, not sand dunes. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Page 6

ح

حَلِيب

H — Haleeb (Milk)

A small white ceramic cup of milk on a blue-and-white tile counter. A tiny ripple in the milk, as if just set down. Beside it, a small spoon and one fresh date. Morning light. Watercolor style, very s
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small white ceramic cup of milk on a blue-and-white tile counter. A tiny ripple in the milk, as if just set down. Beside it, a small spoon and one fresh date. Morning light. Watercolor style, very simple, very calm. No text in the image.

Page 7

خ

خُبْز

Kh — Khubz (Bread)

A single round flatbread (khubz / pita) resting on a folded cotton cloth, still warm — a faint wisp of steam rising. The cloth is pale blue with a thin stripe. The bread is golden-brown with the typic
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single round flatbread (khubz / pita) resting on a folded cotton cloth, still warm — a faint wisp of steam rising. The cloth is pale blue with a thin stripe. The bread is golden-brown with the typical pocket air-bubble shapes. Soft watercolor. No text in the image.

Page 8

د

دَجَاجَة

D — Dajaja (Hen)

A plump brown-and-white hen pecking gently in a courtyard, with two small yellow chicks following close behind. The ground is packed earth with a few green sprouts. A wooden gate at the edge of the fr
🎨 Illustration prompt

A plump brown-and-white hen pecking gently in a courtyard, with two small yellow chicks following close behind. The ground is packed earth with a few green sprouts. A wooden gate at the edge of the frame. Watercolor style, warm and homey. No text in the image.

Page 9

ذ

ذِئْب

Dh — Dhi'b (Wolf)

A young grey wolf seen from a respectful distance, standing on a hill at twilight. The wolf is calm, not threatening — just present, watching the moon rise. Soft purple and blue tones in the sky, one
🎨 Illustration prompt

A young grey wolf seen from a respectful distance, standing on a hill at twilight. The wolf is calm, not threatening — just present, watching the moon rise. Soft purple and blue tones in the sky, one early star. Watercolor style, gentle. No text in the image.

Page 10

ر

رُمَّان

R — Rumman (Pomegranate)

A pomegranate split open on a wooden plate, the ruby seeds glistening. Beside it, a whole pomegranate, deep red with a small crown at the top. A tiny bunch of mint leaves nearby. Watercolor style, ric
🎨 Illustration prompt

A pomegranate split open on a wooden plate, the ruby seeds glistening. Beside it, a whole pomegranate, deep red with a small crown at the top. A tiny bunch of mint leaves nearby. Watercolor style, rich red tones. No text in the image.

Page 11

ز

زَيْتُون

Z — Zaytun (Olives)

A small clay bowl filled with dark green and purple-black olives. A few olive leaves scattered around the bowl. The wooden table is bare and old, well-loved. The light is afternoon golden. Watercolor
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small clay bowl filled with dark green and purple-black olives. A few olive leaves scattered around the bowl. The wooden table is bare and old, well-loved. The light is afternoon golden. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Page 12

س

سَمَكَة

S — Samaka (Fish)

A single small fish swimming through clear blue water, scales shimmering in light from above. Tiny green water plants in the background. The fish is centered, calm, looking content. Watercolor style w
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single small fish swimming through clear blue water, scales shimmering in light from above. Tiny green water plants in the background. The fish is centered, calm, looking content. Watercolor style with soft blue washes. No text in the image.

Page 13

ش

شَجَرَة

Sh — Shajara (Tree)

A single old olive tree on a hillside, gnarled silver trunk, with a wide canopy of small silver-green leaves. The sky behind is pale blue. The ground at its base is dry earth with a few wildflowers. W
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single old olive tree on a hillside, gnarled silver trunk, with a wide canopy of small silver-green leaves. The sky behind is pale blue. The ground at its base is dry earth with a few wildflowers. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Page 14

ص

صَبَاح

S — Sabah (Morning)

The sun rising over Levantine hills, soft yellow and pink in the sky. A small bird flying across the scene. A single cypress tree silhouetted in the foreground. The light is gentle, full of beginning.
🎨 Illustration prompt

The sun rising over Levantine hills, soft yellow and pink in the sky. A small bird flying across the scene. A single cypress tree silhouetted in the foreground. The light is gentle, full of beginning. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Page 15

ض

ضَوْء

D — Daw' (Light)

A single small flame from an oil lamp glowing warmly against a dim background. The light spills out in soft golden circles. A child's hand, just barely visible, cupped near the lamp — not touching, ju
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single small flame from an oil lamp glowing warmly against a dim background. The light spills out in soft golden circles. A child's hand, just barely visible, cupped near the lamp — not touching, just close. Watercolor with warm golds and deep blues around the edges. No text in the image.

Page 16

ط

طَائِر

T — Ta'ir (Bird)

A small brown sparrow perched on a wooden balcony railing, head tilted as if listening. Behind, the soft blur of a Levantine apartment building. The bird is centered and clear, the smallest puff of fe
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small brown sparrow perched on a wooden balcony railing, head tilted as if listening. Behind, the soft blur of a Levantine apartment building. The bird is centered and clear, the smallest puff of feathers. Watercolor style, gentle. No text in the image.

Page 17

ظ

ظِلّ

Z — Zill (Shadow)

The shadow of a child playing on a sunlit wall — the child themselves not visible, only the shadow shape, with one arm raised. A few jasmine flowers in the foreground. Watercolor style, soft contrast.
🎨 Illustration prompt

The shadow of a child playing on a sunlit wall — the child themselves not visible, only the shadow shape, with one arm raised. A few jasmine flowers in the foreground. Watercolor style, soft contrast. No text in the image.

Page 18

ع

عِنَب

' — Inab (Grapes)

A small cluster of purple grapes hanging from a vine, with a few green leaves around them. Background: a hint of a stone wall, dappled sunlight. Watercolor style with rich purples and greens. No text
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small cluster of purple grapes hanging from a vine, with a few green leaves around them. Background: a hint of a stone wall, dappled sunlight. Watercolor style with rich purples and greens. No text in the image.

Page 19

غ

غَيْم

Gh — Ghaym (Cloud)

A single soft white cloud drifting across a pale blue sky. Below, the rooftops of a small Levantine village, miniature in the distance. The cloud is the focus, light and unhurried. Watercolor style wi
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single soft white cloud drifting across a pale blue sky. Below, the rooftops of a small Levantine village, miniature in the distance. The cloud is the focus, light and unhurried. Watercolor style with very soft edges. No text in the image.

Page 20

ف

فَرَاشَة

F — Farasha (Butterfly)

A single orange-and-yellow butterfly resting on a small purple wildflower. Wings open wide, showing delicate patterns. Background: soft green blur of grass. Watercolor style with bright warm colors. N
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single orange-and-yellow butterfly resting on a small purple wildflower. Wings open wide, showing delicate patterns. Background: soft green blur of grass. Watercolor style with bright warm colors. No text in the image.

Page 21

ق

قَمَر

Q — Qamar (Moon)

A full silver-white moon in a deep blue evening sky. One small star nearby. Below, the silhouette of an olive tree's branches reaching toward it. Watercolor style with quiet, calming tones. No text in
🎨 Illustration prompt

A full silver-white moon in a deep blue evening sky. One small star nearby. Below, the silhouette of an olive tree's branches reaching toward it. Watercolor style with quiet, calming tones. No text in the image.

Page 22

ك

كِتَاب

K — Kitab (Book)

An open book resting on a small wooden table, the pages slightly curved as if being read. A small green leaf used as a bookmark peeks from one page. A cup of tea steaming gently beside it. Watercolor
🎨 Illustration prompt

An open book resting on a small wooden table, the pages slightly curved as if being read. A small green leaf used as a bookmark peeks from one page. A cup of tea steaming gently beside it. Watercolor style, cozy and quiet. No text on the open book pages (just suggested texture). No text in the image.

Page 23

ل

لَيْمُون

L — Laymun (Lemon)

Two bright yellow lemons on a sky-blue tile counter, one whole, one cut in half with the bright pulp showing. A few green leaves still attached to the stem of the whole lemon. Watercolor style, fresh
🎨 Illustration prompt

Two bright yellow lemons on a sky-blue tile counter, one whole, one cut in half with the bright pulp showing. A few green leaves still attached to the stem of the whole lemon. Watercolor style, fresh and zesty. No text in the image.

Page 24

م

مَاء

M — Ma' (Water)

A small glass of clear water on a wooden table, with a single drop of condensation rolling down the side. Behind, a soft blue blur. The light catches the water's surface gently. Watercolor style, very
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small glass of clear water on a wooden table, with a single drop of condensation rolling down the side. Behind, a soft blue blur. The light catches the water's surface gently. Watercolor style, very simple, very clear. No text in the image.

Page 25

ن

نَجْمَة

N — Najma (Star)

A single bright star in a deep indigo evening sky. Below, a curving Levantine hill with one small cypress tree. The star feels personal, like it's looking back at the reader. Watercolor style, deep bl
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single bright star in a deep indigo evening sky. Below, a curving Levantine hill with one small cypress tree. The star feels personal, like it's looking back at the reader. Watercolor style, deep blues with one shining point of white-gold. No text in the image.

Page 26

هـ

هَوَاء

H — Hawa' (Air / Breeze)

Laundry on a clothesline gently blown by a breeze — a small white shirt, a colorful headscarf, a tiny pair of socks. The clothes are mid-motion, lifted. In the background, a Levantine balcony with pot
🎨 Illustration prompt

Laundry on a clothesline gently blown by a breeze — a small white shirt, a colorful headscarf, a tiny pair of socks. The clothes are mid-motion, lifted. In the background, a Levantine balcony with potted plants. Watercolor style, light and airy. No text in the image.

Page 27

و

وَرْدَة

W — Warda (Rose)

A single pink rose in full bloom, with green leaves and a delicate stem. Soft watercolor, the petals layered in light pinks and corals. Background almost white, so the rose feels like it's resting on
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single pink rose in full bloom, with green leaves and a delicate stem. Soft watercolor, the petals layered in light pinks and corals. Background almost white, so the rose feels like it's resting on the page itself. No text in the image.

Page 28

ي

يَد

Y — Yad (Hand)

A small child's hand and a grandmother's hand, fingers gently intertwined. Just the two hands, in soft warm focus, against a blurred Levantine garden background. The grandmother's hand shows a few gen
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child's hand and a grandmother's hand, fingers gently intertwined. Just the two hands, in soft warm focus, against a blurred Levantine garden background. The grandmother's hand shows a few gentle wrinkles; the child's is soft and small. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Closing Page

مَشَيْنَا مَعًا.

مِنَ الأَلِف إِلَى اليَاء.

We walked together.

From Alif to Ya.

The same child and grandmother from the cover, now walking back toward home along the village path. The sun is higher in the sky, mid-morning. The child is carrying a tiny bouquet of wildflowers gathe
🎨 Illustration prompt

The same child and grandmother from the cover, now walking back toward home along the village path. The sun is higher in the sky, mid-morning. The child is carrying a tiny bouquet of wildflowers gathered along the way. They are mid-step, mid-laugh. The Arabic letters faintly float in the sky above them like soft clouds — only suggested, like a memory, not text. (The illustrator can include this as a subtle artistic touch or leave the sky simple — whichever feels right.) Watercolor, gentle, the emotional anchor of the book. No text in the image.

كَلِمَاتٌ جَدِيدَة · New Words

Each letter has its own word — that's the whole vocabulary list. For pre-readers, the picture IS the meaning. Adults: point to the letter, say the word slowly, let the child echo.

Letter Sound Word Meaning
أ
 a
أَرْنَب
arnab		 rabbit
ب
 b
بَيْت
bayt		 house
ت
 t
تُفَّاحَة
tuffāha		 apple
ث
 th
ثَعْلَب
tha'lab		 fox
ج
 j
جَمَل
jamal		 camel
ح
 h (soft)
حَلِيب
halīb		 milk
خ
 kh
خُبْز
khubz		 bread
د
 d
دَجَاجَة
dajāja		 hen
ذ
 dh
ذِئْب
dhi'b		 wolf
ر
 r
رُمَّان
rummān		 pomegranate
ز
 z
زَيْتُون
zaytūn		 olives
س
 s
سَمَكَة
samaka		 fish
ش
 sh
شَجَرَة
shajara		 tree
ص
 s (deep)
صَبَاح
sabāh		 morning
ض
 d (deep)
ضَوْء
daw'		 light
ط
 t (deep)
طَائِر
tā'ir		 bird
ظ
 z (deep)
ظِلّ
zill		 shadow
ع
 ' (throat)
عِنَب
'inab		 grapes
غ
 gh
غَيْم
ghaym		 cloud
ف
 f
فَرَاشَة
farāsha		 butterfly
ق
 q
قَمَر
qamar		 moon
ك
 k
كِتَاب
kitāb		 book
ل
 l
لَيْمُون
laymūn		 lemon
م
 m
مَاء
mā'		 water
ن
 n
نَجْمَة
najma		 star
هـ
 h
هَوَاء
hawā'		 air / breeze
و
 w
وَرْدَة
warda		 rose
ي
 y
يَد
yad		 hand

🗣️ Talk about it (for parent or teacher)

These aren't quiz questions. Ask one, point at the picture, and listen.

  1. Which picture was your favorite? Why that one?
  2. Can you find something in your house that starts with one of these letters? A book? Some bread? A glass of water?
  3. Let's pick one letter to say together five times. Which one?

✏️ Try it (a tiny activity, 2 minutes)

Pick one:

A note for grown-ups reading along

This is a pre-reader book — designed for ages 3 to 5, before children can decode letters on their own. You are the reader. Your child is the listener and the looker.

How to read it:

  1. Point to the big Arabic letter at the top of the page.
  2. Say the letter slowly: "Alif."
  3. Point to the word: "Arnab."
  4. Point to the picture: "Rabbit. Arnab."
  5. That's it. Move on. Don't quiz.

Repetition is the curriculum. Read this book over and over. Within a week or two, your child will start saying arnab before you do. That is the goal — not memorization, not testing, but the warmth of letters becoming friends.

A note on letter forms: Arabic letters change shape depending on where they sit in a word (beginning, middle, end). For now, we only show the simple isolated form. The other forms come gently in Tier 1.

— Hayya Beena Naqraa (هَيَّا بِنَا نَقْرَأ)

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