Sugar Comes from Arabic: A Beginner's Guide to Arabic Letters and Words (English and Arabic Edition)

I expected a workbook with pages of guided practice for writing. It’s actually a miniature textbook with minimal calligraphy practice. Disclaimer: I’ve cherry-picked through the book, but have only completed 25% overall. I’ve read the first and last chapters and started on the characters.Pros:It contains helpful bits to learn pronunciation, the basic idea of how to write, and trivia on Arabic.Cons:Vowels are not covered. While you won’t see them anywhere except children’s books and the Qu’ran, I need them to learn how to pronounce the words. U wdnt ndrstnd ths if u ddnt lrn vwls frst. I feel like the book was missing an essential part of the learning process.More cons:The stroke order of the characters is not mentioned. After using a different reference, I was able to learn how to write correctly. The font also makes it difficult to understand how to write some characters.That being said, the quality is nice and the book is full-sized. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it unless you were getting a series of other reference material to learn the alifbaa (alphabet). I definitely wouldn’t recommend buying it unless it was at least half off.

Really this book is wonderful for adult beginners, people old enough to have trouble retaining information. The random facts, random words that stand out and make memorization possible are pretty great. So far I feel much more confident about my ability to grasp the sounds of the words based on the examples shown. I would suggest this for any beginner of course but this is a wonderful find for an older beginner. The only drawback is the alphabet is featured in a way that English readers can understand not in the intended order, other than that it is a winner. Shukran!

This is a simple and fun book that introduces the user to the Arabic letters. Very imaginative. I would have liked even more practice pages, but I know they would add to the book's cost. I highly recommend this guide to anyone who would like to familiarize herself with the alphabet (alifbaa) and learn to read and write a few words, perhaps including her first name. Interesting tidbits about Arabic culture are sprinkled throughout, like sugar. Perhaps some readers will progress to a serious study of the language.

How to easily learn the Arabic alphabet!Sugar Comes from ArabicA Beginner's Guide to Arabic Letters and WordsBarbara WhitesidesISBN 978-1-56656-757-2 When I lived in Dubai for eight years I often tried to learn Arabic. I probably hindered myself from memorizing the alphabet, thinking "This alphabet has 124 letter shapes to remember. Woe is me! I've never been good at memorizing." Then I discovered information about Sugar Comes from Arabic from the Saudi-Aramco magazine. Hope re-ignited! Maybe I could master Arabic letters! This book's logic, memory aides, personal approach (first step-- write names easily), cultural additions, word source explanations, delightful lay-out--the entire book impresses me. The ring bound pages lay open easily, the large page size makes full but uncluttered pages readable, the pictures are colorful...I can't find anything I'd suggest as lacking in this book. Each page with a new letter has the entire alphabet along one edge for easy reference. Back pages have the entire Arabic alphabet and numbers. The method used to remember each letter and how it fits in words--so clear and simple! I'm happily working on learning Arabic! And making great progress. Thank you, Barbara Whitesides and crew!© Geni J. White

There are so many delightful details to this book, not only in the playful and timely prose, but in the fonts and drawings and photos as well. I love the way the book is bound -- it lays flat, and was clearly made to last. Unlike the majority of informative books published these days, which all seem to be variations on "XXXX for Idiots", it's wonderful to find a book that was created by someone actually devoted to the subject matter. I've only just received the book and skipped around in it, but I can already tell that the author's thoughtfulness will yield many months and years of interesting reading at our house. And make that BACKWARD reading!

I am slowly teaching myself Arabic. Of course slowly learning the alphabet and this book teaches some vocabulary and interesting facts as well. I continue to enjoy it.

Excellent book to have. Many apps and lessons assume that you know the alphabet and if you don't... then they won't be of use for you. This book starts you off like you are a true beginner. It is thorough and complete in that it is the very beginning. I gives you that starting point so that you can make better use of more advanced materials for learning more. This book is the best one that I have found so far!

I gave many copies as gifts. All truly enjoyed them and are learning from the book!

It was good book.

This is a beautiful and wonderful book for people of nearly all ages.I cannot possibly recommend it more highly.evie f