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Dubai, UAE, 30 September 2025: In honour of International Translation Day, UAE-based independent publisher ELF Publishing announces the release of Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon, the third and final book in its Oxford University Press (OUP) translation series in Arabic.
Following the much-loved Howard the Average Gecko and Cleo the Completely Fine Camel, the latest title makes another humorous and heartfelt character accesible to young Arabic readers. With Peggy joining the series, ELF Publishing and OUP mark the successful completion of this timely collaboration, which has developed high-quality, entertaining stories for Arab children in their mother tongue.
Philippa Payne, Rights Director, Education Division Oxford University Press, said: “Oxford University Press' early years picture books are designed carefully to encourage a love of reading for pleasure in young children, as we recognise the firm connection between this and future success in all subjects at school and beyond. Our Rights team exists to provide a route for our titles to be translated into other languages, and we are passionate about finding wonderful new homes for our titles across the world, making them accessible to a wider audience, and providing a window into other cultures. We are certain that these new Arabic editions of our well-loved titles by Wendy Meddour will delight and entertain young readers, and we look forward to our continued relationship with Emirates Lit Fest.”
The initiative reflects ELF Publishing's mission to instil a lifelong love of reading in Arabic by ensuring that the language is seen not only as one of heritage and tradition, but also of imagination, fun, and creativity.
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Managing Director of ELF Publishing, said: “At the Emirates Literature Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a world of stories that spark wonder, stimulate imagination, and build a lifelong reading habit. Bringing beloved children's books into Arabic allows young readers to see themselves reflected in the pages, connect with universal values, and experience the joy of storytelling in their own language.
Through our work at the Emirates Literature Foundation and ELF Publishing, we are proud to partner with authors and publishers to make literature accessible to all. These new Arabic editions are more than books, they are invitations for children to dream, explore, and grow.”
To mark the occasion, ELF Publishing hosted a launch event at Magrudy's Jumeirah branch on Saturday, 27 September 2025, featuring storytelling sessions with Sabah Deebi, translator of Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon. Children were overjoyed with the imaginative tales and the interactive activities while families took the opportunity to explore the complete lineup of the series.
Educators and industry leaders have welcomed the translation of the series into Arabic.
Dr Lamya Tawfik, Child Life Coach and Storyteller said: “Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon is a fun book with important themes. The key word here is fun! Undoubtedly, humour is a great vehicle to connect children to reading - they love to laugh and they also become more open to learning and to grasping new concepts when they're having fun.”
Seham Fares, Head of Arabic Department, Jumeirah Primary School, Cycle One said: “Cleo the Completely Fine Camel carries a deep educational and human message. It teaches values like help, conversation, and expressing emotions, even in a challenging desert setting. The animals in the story show different ways to solve problems, with humor and colorful illustrations. Cleo, the young camel, faces many challenges, yet always says, ‘I'm absolutely fine,' even when his actions show otherwise. This teaches children that saying ‘I'm fine' does not always mean you really are. The story also encourages children to express their feelings and to understand and empathize with others.”
Hala Mazboudi, Assistant Principal for MOE subjects, Dubai Schools Al Barsha said: “Howard the Average Gecko supports children in building a strong connection with the Arabic language by presenting it in a fun, engaging, and relatable way. The story is written in simple yet expressive Arabic that children can easily follow and enjoy, while also introducing new vocabulary in meaningful contexts. The character 'Howard' embodies the everyday feelings and challenges many children face, which motivates them to stay engaged with the story and naturally interact with the language. Ultimately, the book transforms Arabic learning into an enjoyable journey rather than a task, helping children see the language as part of their lives and emotions, not just an academic subject.”
This milestone highlights the power of translation in bridging cultures, fostering creativity, and ensuring that all children can see themselves reflected in stories that are both playful and meaningful.
The full series is available for purchase online on the ELF Publishing webstore and in-store at Magrudy's branches across the UAE.
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