Author: Bodour Al Qasimi
Illustrator: Majid Zakeri
Year: 2024
Publisher: Kalimat Group
House of Wisdom is an illustrated narrative about the history of the House of Wisdom, or Grand Library of Baghdad, which was established during the Islamic Golden Age.
It covers the institution’s lasting impact on the world of knowledge before its destruction by the Mongol leader Hulagu Khan in 1258 CE.
The book aims to promote critical thinking and a recognition of the power of knowledge among young readers.
The book includes memorable images, such as the river turning black from the ink of books tossed into the water.
In 2025, House of Wisdom won the Fiction category at the BolognaRagazzi Awards, presented at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
It also received the Best English-Language Book Award at the Sharjah Book Festival in 2025.
Zakeri has received other honors for his illustration work, including awards at the Golden Pen of Belgrade
