Author(s): QURAYTEM, SALMA

Picture Books

Zeina, like most children, is petrified of the night and hates going to sleep. She decides to never go to sleep again and to keep her eyes wide open all day long. She draws a huge sun, bigger than an elephant, and sticks it on her bedroom window to scare the night away. Soon she realizes that her plan is failing and her eyelids feel heavy but she still resists sleeping and talks to mom about her fears. She tells her about the witches, wasps, worms and snakes that scare her and mom gives her a magical recipe to disappear all those scary things.

The Magical Kiss portrays children’s reluctance to sleep and the parent’s pivotal role in lessening those fears by being attentive and caring.

**Arabic text only