Author in the News: Daybreak Press Publishes New Book by Muna Imady

Daybreak Press has published Kan Ya Ma Kan, a new book Muna Imady.

Kan Ya Ma Kan is a labor of love and fidelity to the ancient tradition of oral storytelling in Muna Imady’s beloved Syria.  This collection of stories, recipes, games, songs and wisdom meticulously and fervently collected is a gift of love from Muna.  Muna persevered through illness to ensure that these stories and traditions would be preserved despite the war that has scattered Syria’s peoples like seeds throughout the world. Elaine and Susan birthed Muna’s words into the world to ensure that present and future generations will hear the stories that Muna learned at the feet of her Tete, and collected from the generous people of Syria.  
 
The stories depict clever, resilient and resourceful characters written in a style that lends itself to read alouds in a classroom or library setting.  The bold illustrations are reminiscent of Ed Emberly’s early wood-cuts.  These stories are not whitewashed or sanitized - true to the tradition of the genre.  The blend of folktales and true stories interspersed with priceless details about daily life in Syria give the reader a snapshot of life before and during the war.  The recipes reflect the way in which most families pass along recipes that they have been cooking for generations.  With a little patience you will be able to replicate these regional specialties. Muna’s inclusion of stories from the various ethnic groups that have inhabited Syria for centuries, and stories describing the historic peaceful co-existence of Syria’s religious groups gives the reader a true sense of the beauty and hospitality of the Syrian peoples.  

Muna is the late author of two books published by MSI Press: Syrian Folktales and Damascus amid the War. 

   

All of Muna's books are available on Amazon and elsewhere.