Morning Now Dawned: A Middle Eastern Kidlit Podcast

Bio: George Jreije is the Lebanese-American author of the acclaimed Shad Hadid and Bashir Boutros series, among other things. He has also written short stories in collaboration with Scholastic, UNICEF, and more. He served as the inaugural author-in-residence for the Concord Library in 2023 and has been a guest of honor and instructor at the Gotham Writers Workshop, the Highlights Foundation, and other writing workshops.Learn More:Here is George Jreije's Website and you can follow him on Instagram as @bygeorgejreije.His books are: Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of AlexandriaShad Hadid and the Forbidden AlchemiesBashir Boutros and the Jewel of the NileAnd you can now pre-order Bashir Boutros and the Forgotten Realm! Available on May 19, 2026. Other authors mentioned include:Nadia Shammas and Sarah Alfagee, authors of a Young Adult book, Squire: A Graphic NovelRhonda Roumani, author of Middle Grade novel Tagging Freedom and a picture book, Umm Kulthum: The Star of the East, which won the Middle East Nonfiction Book Award from the Middle East Outreach Council in 2025.Credits:Theme Music: Paul AmielTechnical Assistance: Dr. Eric Taylor, Ali HattabGeneral encouragement and assistance: Professor Mahmoud Azaz, Professor Emerita Anne Betteridge, Dr. Julie Ellison, Thomas Kenney, Jenessa Ricklefs.Logo/ Thumbnail: University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Marketing and Communications TeamFacebook Page: facebook.com/groups/cmesuarizona/Instagram: @cmes_ua

This is an interview with Moujan Adl, author of A Girl Named Mithra, a picture book about the Iranian winter solstice holiday of Yalda. Links: Moujan Adl, author: https://www.pompub.com/aboutusMona Danesh, illustrator: https://mdanesh.myportfolio.com/, @nazarjoonFarzad Hemati, translator to Persian: https://www.pompub.com/translatorYalda is traditionally celebrated with readings from the poet Hafez. For more information: https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hafez/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170109-the-mystical-poet-who-can-help-you-lead-a-better-lifeFor information on the University of Arizona Center for Middle Eastern Studies, go to: https://cmes.arizona.edu/. For information on the Middle East Outreach Council, go to: http://www.meoc.us/MEOC Book Award information, including a list of all winners is at: http://www.meoc.us/book-awards.htmlAbby Limmer can be reached at [email protected] .