Why We Created Kan Ya Makan Publications

Every night, our little one would tug at our sleeves, eyes sparkling with anticipation, and ask for just one more "Kan Ya Makan" story — often, three or four times over! "Kan Ya Makan", translating to "Once Upon a Time", is the quintessential beginning to many tales told in Arabic homes. It signifies the start of an enchanting journey, a promise of a tale that would transport young listeners to a world of wonder.

However, as Arab American parents trying to instill in our child the beauty and depth of our Arabic heritage and language, we faced a challenge. The market lacked high-quality Arabic children's books that engaged our son in the same manner as their English counterparts. In many cases, our son did not find the illustrations engaging, and there were little to no good board books available (a must for parents of kids who insist on holding the books during storytime). Furthermore, the tales we encountered were either too complex or distant from the day-to-day Arabic words our son would hear from us or his grandparents.

We yearned for books that would bridge this gap. And from this desire, Kan Ya Makan Publications was born. Choosing the name was the easy part. It echoed our nightly ritual, our son's eager requests, and more universally, the age-old tradition of storytelling that begins with "Once Upon a Time". Through Kan Ya Makan Publications, we aim to offer what we once sought: stories that enchant, while being easy to read and reinforce the Arabic language that resonates in our homes.

To all the parents out there, looking for that perfect tale that feels both magical and familiar, we understand your journey, because it was once ours. With Kan Ya Makan Publications, we hope to make your evenings a little more magical, one story at a time.