Resources
Resources - Iraq
N.B: I have checked these resources to the best of my ability, but teachers are responsible for ensuring the suitability of any resources used in their classroom or library. This is particularly true of web-based sites, which can change on a daily basis.
Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq
by Mark Alan Stamaty £6.32
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (2004) ISBN-10: 0375832173
The true story of Alia Muhammed Bakr, who worked with her neighbours to save many treasures from Basra library in 2003. Told in comic book format.
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
by Jeanette Winter
£7.03 Published by Harcourt (2005) ISBN-10: 0152054456
Illustrated story of Alia, the chief librarian of Basra Central Library – see above.
Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War
by Kathy Henderson (Author), Jane Ray (Illustrator)
£6.99 Published by Walker Books Ltd; (2007) ISBN-10: 1406305340
The timely retelling of an ancient tale from the land we now call Iraq about a young prince who gains extraordinary powers, which he then uses to peacefully resolve a war, going on to become a great ruler. Older than the Greek and Roman myths, this story was discovered written on ancient clay tablets and recently deciphered by scholars from around the world.
Arabian Fairy Tales
by Amina Shah (Editor)
£9.44 Published by Octagon Press Ltd (1989) ISBN-10: 0863040489
Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp (Paperback)
by Philip Pullman Author, Sophy Williams Illustrator
£7.99 Published by Scholastic Hippo (2005) ISBN-10: 0439962994
One of many versions of this story. The story, more accessible to younger children than many, is one of the series 'Thousand and One Nights', which were tales told in, and based around, life in Baghdad in the ninth century.
The Three Brothers – A Kurdish folk Story from Iraq
illustrated by Kagan Güner
£5.00 Bilingual text, English/Kurdish Sorani, Published by the Refugee Council, ISBN: 0 946787 09 3; (2001)
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/eshop/folktales.htm
When an inheritance buried in a cave goes missing, a wise judge identifies the culprit by asking the three brothers for their responses to a tale of love and honour.
Arabic folk stories from Algeria and Iraq
illustrated by Abdulla Mawlood and Fiona Macintosh
£5.00 Published by the Refugee Council, ISBN 926787 62 X (1998) See above.
How the Animals Kept the Lion Away (Algeria): Four friends; an old donkey, lame hen, sick goat and skinny dog; co-operate to keep themselves safe from lions. The Man in the Coffin (Iraq): a humorous tale in which two travellers become friends after one scares the other into leaping off a bus, by sheltering from the rain in a coffin.
Gilgamesh the King (Epic of Gilgamesh)
by Ludmila Zeman
Published by Tundra Books, Canada (1998) ISBN-10: 0887764371
A simple retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient myth set in Mesopotamia, called the world's first great work of literature. Each episode told in one beautifully illustrated paperback book.
Ancient Iraq
Eyewitness Guide £7.99 Published by Dorling Kindersley (2007) ISBN-10: 1405318589
Usually a very good publisher. This pack includes a clip-art CD, a giant pull-out wall chart.
Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians (People of the Ancient World)
by Virginia Schomp
£15.08 Published by Franklin Watts (2004) ISBN-10: 0531118185
Clear and well illustrated account of the early civilisations centred in the region of modern-day Iraq. Contains many photos of artefacts, maps, timelines and a useful glossary, as well as some interesting proverbs.
Iraq, the People (Lands, Peoples & Cultures)
by April Fast
£9.99 Published by Crabtree Publishing (2004) ISBN-10: 0778793192
This work is intended for children aged 9-14 years. Tells the story of the area of modern-day Iraq from the earliest civilisations to the present, post-war situation. The daily lives and challenges of today's Iraqi and Kurdish populations are presented with the help of full-colour photography.
Thura's Diary
by Thura al-Windawi
Published by Puffin Books (2004) ISBN-10: 0141317698
Actual diary written by 19-year-old Thura al-Windawi, during the bombing of Baghdad in 2003. It describes the chaos and destruction around her. Well-written with a nuanced view of the political situation as it affected people in daily life. Suitable for children aged 9 and above.
Saddam Hussein and Iraq (Troubled World Series)
by David Downing
Published by Heinemann Library (2004) £8.99 ISBN: 0 431 183708
Clear account of the subjects, which includes discussion of historical sources and possible bias. Useful for teacher background and for students aged 11 and above.
The War in Iraq (Witness to History Series)
by David Downing
Published by Heinemann Library (2004) £8.75 ISBN: 0 431 17075 4
As above. Also includes plenty of primary historical sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq
Provides a useful brief introduction, including maps and the flag.
http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/iraq/index.html
Useful for maps, flags, and also photos of Iraq. Provides background information on history, geography etc. – useful for teacher reference.
http://www.pbase.com/antlegg/kurdistan_december_2004
Positive shots of Kurdistan
http://russellklika.com/index.html
Iraq through the eyes of an American soldier - seems to me to be a sensitive and aware American soldier. Some beautiful images, and, when viewed in September 2007, nothing on the site unsuitable for classroom use.
www.iraqicookbook.com/contents/intro/main.html
http://www.newburypark.redbridge.sch.uk/langofmonth/arabic/player.html
All the resources and ideas you will need to focus on and begin learning basic words in Arabic. Look also at the Activities Booklet on the site.