ABU DHABI: “I’m trying so hard to get this generation to be proud of their roots and their heritage. This is really the heart and soul of ‘Noor’s Heroes’,” Myrna Ayad told Arab News.

Her 2025 debut in children’s publishing — after two decades in books and magazines and a stint as the director of Art Dubai — marks a thoughtful shift in perspective. 

The youthful, fun and vibrant series, each about 40 pages long, is written in lyrical language with vibrant illustrations.

Inspired by her firstborn, daughter Noor — whose name means “light” in Arabic and who will turn 11 in April — the Dubai-based mother-of-two’s new series quite literally shines a light on “the heroes of the region, past and present.” 

Published in identical but separate English and Arabic editions, the series is brought to life by a diverse lineup of Arab artists whose illustrations depict prominent Arab figures. 

Each title is dedicated to one legend, dreamer or trailblazer of the Arab world — figures who have shaped art, culture, music, sport and literature. 

Printed by Kaph Kids, the children’s imprint of Kaph Books, “Noor’s Heroes” celebrates Arab greats in a way that caters to young readers.

“I can’t say that the Noor has a favorite,” Ayad said when asked if she preferred the Arabic or English version of the books. “I think she’s just really, really super proud that she’s involved and inspired the whole series in some way.”

The first batch spotlights four luminaries, developed with support from the Barjeel Art Foundation and Shamsa bint Abdelmonem Alserkal. 

Featured in the series is Egyptian footballer Mohamed “Mo” Salah, illustrated by Egyptian artist Nora Zeid, alongside the late greats: Egyptian icon Umm Kulthum, illustrated by Lebanese-born, Greece-based artist Sasha Haddad; Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish by Egyptian visual artist Mona Elkateb; and Lebanese painter Saloua Raouda Choucair by Emirati artist Khalid Mezaina.

Coming soon are books on popular artists such as award-winning filmmaker Nadine Labaki, who recently appeared at the Red Sea International Film Festival, and US-Iraqi makeup entrepreneur Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty, both of whom were illustrated by Lebanese artist Yasmina Keyrouz. 

Also forthcoming is a book about Palestinian artist Samia Halaby, illustrated by Syrian illustrator Rama Duwaji, who is the incoming First Lady of New York and wife of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

According to the series’ website: “Noor is Arab by blood, raised in a multicultural adopted homeland. Like many Arabs today.

“She represents an Arab youth exposed to a global culture that is becoming increasingly Westernized, who gobbles up information about heroes that don’t (always) resemble them, and is inspired by the foreign that has become universal, unaware of the rich history and identity of the region they come from.”

And who are Ayad’s heroes?

“I don’t have a hero — my daughter and her generation are my heroes; I am putting all my hope and my faith in them,” she concluded.