Mulberry Tree

Author: Dina Al Zibdeh
Illustrated By: Amani Yousef
Number of Pages:  80
Year of publication: 2020

Lara borrows a pen from her teacher in the science class, and this pen transfers her from one ecosystem to another, within an interesting adventure and exciting events, through which Lara tries to save Bodour, who fell into a hole in the forest, and return her to her home in the desert, where her brother, Sultan, is waiting for her.

This story combines the elements of imagination and suspense, and seeks to introduce new concepts and vocabulary, and connects the heritage of the past, represented by the life of the desert, with the present, represented by its modern tools, with reference to the various environmental aspects and some of the characteristics of each environment.

Values implied in story: 

1. Developing Imagination and Creative Thinking: The story celebrates Lara's imagination and her ability to transform words into adventures.

2. A love of learning and exploration: Writing words in a notebook drives Lara to discover new places (the forest, the desert, the sea, etc.) and to learn about the terrain.

3. A spirit of initiative and helpfulness: Lara insists on rescuing Badour despite the fatigue and danger.

4. Loyalty and Devotion

5. Loyalty in friendship and keeping promises: Lara did not abandon Badour and made every effort to return her to her family.

6. Using knowledge to solve problems: Using the answer from the science book as a solution to reach the map.