Nine Volume Encyclopaedia Introduces Saudi History to Young Readers

King Abdulaziz Public Library has published a nine-volume encyclopaedia introducing readers aged 9 to 15 to Saudi Arabia’s history, geography, society and cultural diversity.

The set covers the Kingdom’s geographical features, historical development, antiquities and historic sites, customs and traditions, cultural activity, infrastructure, economy, natural resources, wildlife and tourism. It places particular emphasis on differences between regions, including variations in livelihoods, lifestyles and social traditions.

The encyclopaedia looks at urban life across trade, industry and other occupations alongside village and Bedouin communities, presenting each through its architecture, clothing, crafts, occupations and daily activities. It also covers traditional remedies, folk proverbs, dances and chants, children’s games, social and religious celebrations and earlier forms of education.

The publication includes around 1,800 photographs, 625 illustrations, 100 tables and 40 geographical maps. Twelve children’s illustrators contributed to the project, which was also reviewed by multidisciplinary committees specialising in child and adolescent psychology and education.

The new set is an abridged version of the library’s 20-volume ‘Encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia’, first published in 2008, which documents the Kingdom’s 13 regions from historical, geographical, social and economic perspectives.

The project forms part of King Abdulaziz Public Library’s wider children’s cultural programming, which includes books and stories, reading workshops, competitions, school visits, cinema screenings and theatrical performances. The library also operates mobile library buses, a Children’s Book Club and dedicated children’s libraries at several branches.