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يَوْمِي

My Day

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 word. Then look at the picture together and remember your own day.

Cover page

يَوْمِي

My Day

A soft watercolor illustration of a small child, about 4 years old, with tousled dark hair, sitting cross-legged on a woven Levantine rug. Around the child, in a gentle circle, float tiny scenes from
🎨 Illustration prompt

A soft watercolor illustration of a small child, about 4 years old, with tousled dark hair, sitting cross-legged on a woven Levantine rug. Around the child, in a gentle circle, float tiny scenes from a day — a steaming cup, a school bag, a pillow, a moon. The child is smiling softly, looking at the reader. Pale morning light from a window on the left. Watercolor style, soft edges, no harsh outlines. No text in the image.

Page 1

ص

صَبَاح

S — Sabah (Morning)

A small child sitting up in bed, rubbing one eye with a tiny fist. Soft pink and gold light spilling through a window with light cotton curtains. A folded blanket at the foot of the bed. On the window
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child sitting up in bed, rubbing one eye with a tiny fist. Soft pink and gold light spilling through a window with light cotton curtains. A folded blanket at the foot of the bed. On the windowsill, a small pot of basil. Watercolor style, warm and quiet. No text in the image.

Page 2

ف

فُطُور

F — Futur (Breakfast)

A small round wooden table set for breakfast — a plate of creamy white labneh drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with green za'atar, a small bowl of black olives, a stack of warm flatbread, a cup o
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small round wooden table set for breakfast — a plate of creamy white labneh drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with green za'atar, a small bowl of black olives, a stack of warm flatbread, a cup of tea. A child's small hand reaching for a piece of bread. Watercolor style, homey and inviting. No text in the image.

Page 3

ح

حَقِيبَة

H — Haqiba (Bag)

A small red school backpack resting by a wooden front door, ready to go. A little pair of shoes beside it. A light jacket hanging on a low hook above. Morning sun coming through the open doorway, cast
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small red school backpack resting by a wooden front door, ready to go. A little pair of shoes beside it. A light jacket hanging on a low hook above. Morning sun coming through the open doorway, casting a warm rectangle on the tiled floor. Watercolor style. No text in the image.

Page 4

م

مَدْرَسَة

M — Madrasa (School)

A simple Levantine school building with pale yellow walls and tall green-shuttered windows. A few children walking through the front gate, small backpacks on their shoulders. A jacaranda tree with pur
🎨 Illustration prompt

A simple Levantine school building with pale yellow walls and tall green-shuttered windows. A few children walking through the front gate, small backpacks on their shoulders. A jacaranda tree with purple blossoms beside the entrance. Soft morning light. Watercolor style, warm and welcoming. No text in the image.

Page 5

ك

كِتَاب

K — Kitab (Book)

An open picture book on a small wooden classroom desk, with simple colorful illustrations suggested on its pages (no real text). A child's small hand resting at the corner of one page. A sharpened pen
🎨 Illustration prompt

An open picture book on a small wooden classroom desk, with simple colorful illustrations suggested on its pages (no real text). A child's small hand resting at the corner of one page. A sharpened pencil beside it. Watercolor style, quiet and curious. No text in the image.

Page 6

ج

جَرَس

J — Jaras (Bell)

A small brass school bell hanging by a doorway, mid-ring, with tiny motion lines suggesting sound. Behind it, the blur of children running out to a sunny courtyard. Watercolor style, light and joyful.
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small brass school bell hanging by a doorway, mid-ring, with tiny motion lines suggesting sound. Behind it, the blur of children running out to a sunny courtyard. Watercolor style, light and joyful. No text in the image.

Page 7

غ

غَدَاء

Gh — Ghada' (Lunch)

A family lunch table seen from above — a large platter of rice with browned onions and lentils (mjadara), small bowls of cucumber-yogurt salad, a plate of sliced tomatoes and parsley, a stack of flatb
🎨 Illustration prompt

A family lunch table seen from above — a large platter of rice with browned onions and lentils (mjadara), small bowls of cucumber-yogurt salad, a plate of sliced tomatoes and parsley, a stack of flatbread. Several hands of different sizes reaching in. Watercolor style, warm and full of life. No text in the image.

Page 8

أ

أُمّ

A — Umm (Mother)

A warm, gentle mother in a simple blouse and loose pants, leaning down to kiss the top of a small child's head. Her dark hair is loosely tied back. They are in a sun-filled kitchen with blue-and-white
🎨 Illustration prompt

A warm, gentle mother in a simple blouse and loose pants, leaning down to kiss the top of a small child's head. Her dark hair is loosely tied back. They are in a sun-filled kitchen with blue-and-white tiles. Watercolor style, tender and ordinary. No text in the image.

Page 9

ب

بَابَا

B — Baba (Daddy)

A father with a kind face and short beard, sitting on the floor and laughing as he ties a small child's shoe. Both of them are smiling. A balcony door is open behind them, showing a hint of geraniums
🎨 Illustration prompt

A father with a kind face and short beard, sitting on the floor and laughing as he ties a small child's shoe. Both of them are smiling. A balcony door is open behind them, showing a hint of geraniums in pots. Watercolor style, warm and easy. No text in the image.

Page 10

ل

لَعِب

L — La'ib (Play)

Two small cousins playing in a sunny courtyard with a colorful ball between them. One is mid-laugh, the other is reaching out. A few potted plants and a low stone wall behind them. Watercolor style, f
🎨 Illustration prompt

Two small cousins playing in a sunny courtyard with a colorful ball between them. One is mid-laugh, the other is reaching out. A few potted plants and a low stone wall behind them. Watercolor style, full of light and movement. No text in the image.

Page 11

ك

كُرَة

K — Kura (Ball)

A single bright striped ball — red, blue, and yellow — resting on a tiled balcony floor. A small slipper kicked off beside it. Soft afternoon shadow stretching from the ball. Watercolor style, simple
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single bright striped ball — red, blue, and yellow — resting on a tiled balcony floor. A small slipper kicked off beside it. Soft afternoon shadow stretching from the ball. Watercolor style, simple and inviting. No text in the image.

Page 12

ش

شَاي

Sh — Shay (Tea)

A small clear glass cup of dark tea on a saucer, steam curling gently upward. A few fresh mint leaves floating on the surface. Beside the cup, a tiny sugar bowl with a small spoon. A blurred warm kitc
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small clear glass cup of dark tea on a saucer, steam curling gently upward. A few fresh mint leaves floating on the surface. Beside the cup, a tiny sugar bowl with a small spoon. A blurred warm kitchen behind. Watercolor style, calm and cozy. No text in the image.

Page 13

ت

تِين

T — Tin (Figs)

A small plate of fresh purple figs, one cut open to show the rosy pink inside dotted with tiny seeds. A few green fig leaves around the plate. A warm wooden table. Afternoon light. Watercolor style, r
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small plate of fresh purple figs, one cut open to show the rosy pink inside dotted with tiny seeds. A few green fig leaves around the plate. A warm wooden table. Afternoon light. Watercolor style, rich and sweet. No text in the image.

Page 14

ق

قَيْلُولَة

Q — Qaylula (Nap)

A small child curled up asleep on a couch, a light cotton blanket pulled up to the shoulder. A stuffed bunny tucked under one arm. Soft afternoon light filtering through closed shutters in striped pat
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child curled up asleep on a couch, a light cotton blanket pulled up to the shoulder. A stuffed bunny tucked under one arm. Soft afternoon light filtering through closed shutters in striped patterns on the wall. Watercolor style, hushed and peaceful. No text in the image.

Page 15

و

وِسَادَة

W — Wisada (Pillow)

A single soft white pillow with a small embroidered flower in the corner, resting on a couch. A faint indent where a small head was just lying. Watercolor style, very simple, very gentle. No text in t
🎨 Illustration prompt

A single soft white pillow with a small embroidered flower in the corner, resting on a couch. A faint indent where a small head was just lying. Watercolor style, very simple, very gentle. No text in the image.

Page 16

ت

تَيْتَا

T — Teta (Grandma)

A grandmother with silver hair tucked into a loose bun, wearing a soft cardigan, kneading dough at a kitchen table. She is smiling gently, looking down at her hands. Watercolor style, warm and lived-i
🎨 Illustration prompt

A grandmother with silver hair tucked into a loose bun, wearing a soft cardigan, kneading dough at a kitchen table. She is smiling gently, looking down at her hands. Watercolor style, warm and lived-in. No text in the image.

Page 17

ج

جِدّو

J — Jiddo (Grandpa)

A grandfather with a short white beard and a soft brown vest, sitting in a chair on a balcony, holding a small child on his lap. They are looking out at potted herbs together. Watercolor style, tender
🎨 Illustration prompt

A grandfather with a short white beard and a soft brown vest, sitting in a chair on a balcony, holding a small child on his lap. They are looking out at potted herbs together. Watercolor style, tender and unhurried. No text in the image.

Page 18

ط

طَبْخ

T — Tabkh (Cooking)

A close view of a hand stirring a wooden spoon in a small pot of rice and vegetables, gentle steam rising. A bunch of fresh parsley on the counter beside it, with a sharp knife and a wooden cutting bo
🎨 Illustration prompt

A close view of a hand stirring a wooden spoon in a small pot of rice and vegetables, gentle steam rising. A bunch of fresh parsley on the counter beside it, with a sharp knife and a wooden cutting board. Watercolor style, warm and savory. No text in the image.

Page 19

ع

عَشَاء

' — 'Asha' (Dinner)

A small family sitting around a low dinner table — a steaming dish of mjadara in the center, a plate of sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, a small bowl of yogurt, soft flatbread. The light is golden-eveni
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small family sitting around a low dinner table — a steaming dish of mjadara in the center, a plate of sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, a small bowl of yogurt, soft flatbread. The light is golden-evening. Hands are passing dishes. Watercolor style, full of quiet love. No text in the image.

Page 20

ر

رُزّ

R — Ruzz (Rice)

A small white bowl filled with fluffy white rice, topped with a few cooked carrots and peas, a single sprig of parsley on top. A child's spoon resting beside it. Watercolor style, simple and homey. No
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small white bowl filled with fluffy white rice, topped with a few cooked carrots and peas, a single sprig of parsley on top. A child's spoon resting beside it. Watercolor style, simple and homey. No text in the image.

Page 21

ح

حَمَّام

H — Hammam (Bath)

A small child in a warm bath, only the shoulders and head visible above bubbles. A tiny yellow rubber duck floating beside. A folded towel on a stool nearby. Soft yellow bathroom tiles. Watercolor sty
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child in a warm bath, only the shoulders and head visible above bubbles. A tiny yellow rubber duck floating beside. A folded towel on a stool nearby. Soft yellow bathroom tiles. Watercolor style, cozy and giggly. No text in the image.

Page 22

ص

صَابُون

S — Sabun (Soap)

A small block of traditional olive oil soap, pale green, resting on the edge of a sink. A few tiny bubbles around it. A soft cloth folded beside. Watercolor style, simple and clean. No text in the ima
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small block of traditional olive oil soap, pale green, resting on the edge of a sink. A few tiny bubbles around it. A soft cloth folded beside. Watercolor style, simple and clean. No text in the image.

Page 23

م

مِنْشَفَة

M — Minshafa (Towel)

A small child wrapped up in a big soft white towel, only a smiling face and damp curls peeking out. A parent's hand gently patting the head dry. Watercolor style, warm and snuggly. No text in the imag
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child wrapped up in a big soft white towel, only a smiling face and damp curls peeking out. A parent's hand gently patting the head dry. Watercolor style, warm and snuggly. No text in the image.

Page 24

ب

بِيجَامَا

B — Bijama (Pajamas)

A small child in soft blue-striped pajamas, sitting on a rug brushing their hair with a tiny brush. A bedroom with a small bed already turned down for sleep. Watercolor style, gentle evening light. No
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child in soft blue-striped pajamas, sitting on a rug brushing their hair with a tiny brush. A bedroom with a small bed already turned down for sleep. Watercolor style, gentle evening light. No text in the image.

Page 25

س

سَرِير

S — Sarir (Bed)

A small wooden bed with a soft quilt patterned with tiny flowers. A stuffed rabbit waiting on the pillow. A bedside lamp glowing softly. Watercolor style, the warmest light in the book so far. No text
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small wooden bed with a soft quilt patterned with tiny flowers. A stuffed rabbit waiting on the pillow. A bedside lamp glowing softly. Watercolor style, the warmest light in the book so far. No text in the image.

Page 26

ق

قِصَّة

Q — Qissa (Story)

A grandmother sitting on the edge of a small bed, holding an open picture book, her child grandchild snuggled against her side under the quilt. Both are looking at the book. A small lamp on the bedsid
🎨 Illustration prompt

A grandmother sitting on the edge of a small bed, holding an open picture book, her child grandchild snuggled against her side under the quilt. Both are looking at the book. A small lamp on the bedside table glows gold. Watercolor style, deeply tender. No text in the image.

Page 27

ق

قَمَر

Q — Qamar (Moon)

A round silver moon framed in a small bedroom window, deep blue sky around it. One little star nearby. A pair of light curtains drawn back. Watercolor style, calm and dreamy. No text in the image.
🎨 Illustration prompt

A round silver moon framed in a small bedroom window, deep blue sky around it. One little star nearby. A pair of light curtains drawn back. Watercolor style, calm and dreamy. No text in the image.

Page 28

ن

نَوْم

N — Nawm (Sleep)

A small child fast asleep in bed, one hand curled under the cheek, the quilt pulled up snug. The stuffed rabbit asleep beside. Moonlight spilling softly through the window. Watercolor style, the quiet
🎨 Illustration prompt

A small child fast asleep in bed, one hand curled under the cheek, the quilt pulled up snug. The stuffed rabbit asleep beside. Moonlight spilling softly through the window. Watercolor style, the quietest page of all. No text in the image.

Closing Page

يَوْمٌ جَمِيل.

تُصْبِحُ عَلَى خَيْر.

A beautiful day.

Good night.

A wide soft view of a small Levantine town at night — pale stone houses with warm yellow windows, one window glowing where a child sleeps. The moon hangs gently above. A jasmine vine in the foreground
🎨 Illustration prompt

A wide soft view of a small Levantine town at night — pale stone houses with warm yellow windows, one window glowing where a child sleeps. The moon hangs gently above. A jasmine vine in the foreground. The whole scene is hushed. Watercolor, 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
ص
 s (deep)
صَبَاح
sabāh		 morning
ف
 f
فُطُور
futūr		 breakfast
ح
 h (soft)
حَقِيبَة
haqība		 bag
م
 m
مَدْرَسَة
madrasa		 school
ك
 k
كِتَاب
kitāb		 book
ج
 j
جَرَس
jaras		 bell
غ
 gh
غَدَاء
ghadā'		 lunch
أ
 a
أُمّ
umm		 mother
ب
 b
بَابَا
bābā		 daddy
ل
 l
لَعِب
la'ib		 play
ك
 k
كُرَة
kura		 ball
ش
 sh
شَاي
shāy		 tea
ت
 t
تِين
tīn		 figs
ق
 q
قَيْلُولَة
qaylūla		 nap
و
 w
وِسَادَة
wisāda		 pillow
ت
 t
تَيْتَا
tētā		 grandma
ج
 j
جِدّو
jiddo		 grandpa
ط
 t (deep)
طَبْخ
tabkh		 cooking
ع
 ' (throat)
عَشَاء
'ashā'		 dinner
ر
 r
رُزّ
ruzz		 rice
ح
 h (soft)
حَمَّام
hammām		 bath
ص
 s (deep)
صَابُون
sābūn		 soap
م
 m
مِنْشَفَة
minshafa		 towel
ب
 b
بِيجَامَا
bījāmā		 pajamas
س
 s
سَرِير
sarīr		 bed
ق
 q
قِصَّة
qissa		 story
ق
 q
قَمَر
qamar		 moon
ن
 n
نَوْم
nawm		 sleep

🗣️ Talk about it (for parent or teacher)

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

  1. Which part of your day is your favorite? Breakfast? Play? Bath? Story?
  2. What did you have for futur today? What about for 'asha'?
  3. Who tells you a qissa before sleep? Mama? Baba? Teta? Jiddo?

✏️ 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.
  3. Point to the word and say it.
  4. Point to the picture: "Morning. Sabah."
  5. That's it. Move on. Don't quiz.

This book follows the shape of one day — your child's day. As you read, you can pause on any page and say, "This is like our morning," or "This is what Teta makes for us." The book becomes a mirror, and the words slip in through the warmth.

Repetition is the curriculum. Read this book at bedtime, at breakfast, in the car. Within a week, your child will start saying qamar before you do. That is the goal — not memorization, not testing, but the warmth of words becoming familiar friends.

A note on letter forms: Arabic letters change shape depending on where they sit in a word. 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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