On Bulbul, a First-of-its-kind Arabic Children’s Magazine in North America

Pediatrician and children’s-book author Arwa Nasir is the force behind Bulbul Books, an Arabic children’s-book publishing house based in the US. This year, she has launched a new monthly magazine of the same name. As Nasir notes, the goal of Bulbul magazine is “to promote literacy and the appreciation of the Arabic language through rich, engaging content that blends the arts and the sciences.”

The magazine is the first of its kind in North America. Those interested in subscribing can look through a sample issue on the Bulbul website. Here, Arwa Nasir answers a few questions about

Can you tell us a little about how Bulbul magazine came about?

Arwa Nasir: This magazine is a product of my passion for the Arabic language and from my observation of a gap in this important form of children’s literature in Arabic-speaking world. I grew up reading and enjoying magazines, and I feel that they were instrumental in my development. Even as an adult, I still subscribe to several magazines that enrich my perspective, provide fresh streams of knowledge, and keep me informed in this changing world.

Another inspiration for Bulbul was my perception of the need for an educational but entertaining and engaging activity to replace the epidemic of screen overuse and the consumption of mindless, potentially inappropriate commercial content among children. There is a growing body of evidence showing the harmful effects of excessive screen time and digital media consumption; additionally, the preponderance of English-language content on digital media limits exposure to Arabic.

Could you tell us about some of the magazines you loved as a child? What were some of your favorite issues or features?

AN: When I was young, my uncles used to study in Egypt and they always brought us bound volumes of Samir magazine, which we read over and over until we got the next volume. I loved the graphic stories, which addressed some of the issues of the time to children in an entertaining and relatable way. This is a great example of how children’s literature can help to educate children about important issues and raise their awareness and understanding of the world around them. We also used to love to read translated Tintin and Asterix graphic novels.

Absolutely, magazines fill a different spot on the children’s-literature landscape. Can you talk a bit about how you see the role they play, and how they complement (but are different from) having access to books?

AN: Magazines differ from books in their format, content, and accessibility. They contain engaging visual elements and small chunks of reading material that are less intimidating and do not require the mental effort of reading a whole book. Children can read a magazine even when they have limited time or energy, like on a short car ride or while waiting at the doctor’s office. The variety of topics in a children’s magazine accommodates a variety of interests, so there is something for everyone. They also inspire curiosity and are conducive to shared reading with peers and adults, which fosters literary discourse and knowledge exchange.

Finally, there is nothing like getting a new magazine every month after a period of anticipation. Magazines are truly magical and an excellent medium for encouraging reading and exploration.

You mention reading in doctor’s offices—that is absolutely where I first got to know children’s magazines. How else does your background in public pediatric health shape Bulbul?

AN: Reading is a brain-building activity that has been proven to improve language development, social-emotional skills, and academic performance. Research shows that reading from the page is better than reading from a screen. Literacy promotion is recommended in pediatric practice to enhance children’s brain development and improve their overall health and well-being.

In the first issue available on your website, there are some old favorites: spot the difference, match the flags, a word find, learn to draw, a space for letters from readers. But there are other educational surprises (learning about jewelry making), and information about science, history, architecture, math, cooking, and nature, as well as a serialized mystery. Will each issue have a variety? Are there certain features you plan to have in each issue?

AN: We aim to include a variety of topics in each issue, with focuses on STEM and on literary development. Each issue contains features on science, nature, culture, health, and a feature about the life of a notable and inspirational figure who has displayed positive character and contributed meaningfully to the world. There will also be math and logic puzzles and other educational and entertaining activities.

Will Bulbul primarily rely on staff writers and illustrators, or do you also plan to solicit or accept other contributions?

AN: We have a strong editorial team, and, so far, we have relied on them for content. We are continually recruiting for talent to join our team. We also solicit contributions from the readership, which we carefully vet before accepting them for publication.

On your website, in addition to your first issue, there are two more: one that focuses on the sun and one on outer space. Can you tell us anything about the issues forthcoming later in the year?

AN: We try to build issues around certain themes. For example, in the second issue, we focus on solar energy, and the third focuses on space and astronomy. For the upcoming issues, we plan to continue to address STEM topics like the brain, environmental awareness, heart health, electricity, water desalination, etc. We will also include themes related to the humanities including history and the arts.