The Camel Library: A True Story from Pakistan

by Marzieh Abbas, Anain Shaikh (Illustrator)

Alongside warm and soft illustrations by Anain Shaikh, Marzieh Abbas lovingly weaves the heartfelt true story of Pakistan's first camel library, which reconnected Pakistani children to the light of books in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meet Roshan the camel! He spends his days carrying firewood with his human, Murad, to feed their family. One day, a pandemic sweeps through their home country of Pakistan, closing the schools and public libraries. Many children, especially in rural areas, were left without access to learning materials.

Then Roshan and Murad get a call from an organization that wants to help, and they accept a new instead of carrying firewood, they'll carry books. Day after day, they set out to different villages, Roshan's back loaded with books to lend out to the children they meet. But they don't just bring stories—they also carry joy, hope, and connection.

The back of the book includes photos and more information about the camel library program, as well as fun facts about camels.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Pakistan, Animals, Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

About the author

Marzieh Abbas
Author bio: Marzieh is an award-winning author. Raised between the bustling cities of Dubai, U.A.E and Karachi, Pakistan, Marzieh loves traveling, reading and samosas. She is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and a graduate of the Lyrical Language Lab, Children's Book Academy, and Storyteller Academy. She loves teaching fellow creatives and has conducted several classes online for writers. She is active on Twitter, Blue sky, and Threads where she continues to form connections with the Writing Community, runs a kidlit review group on Facebook and blogs about her author journey and life in Pakistan on Instagram. Marzieh dreams of owning a talking parrot someday. But, until then, she lives in Pakistan with her husband and children who inspire her every day. A DUPATTA IS... (Feiwel & Friends, 2023) is her debut picture book in the traditional American market. She is also the author of the popular Nadia & Nadir series which has 12 books out so far and six more are on the way. Visit her on the web at www.marziehabbas.com

IG link: https://www.instagram.com/marziehabba...
Twitter link: https://twitter.com/MarziehAbbas
FB link: https://www.facebook.com/marziehabbas/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@marziehabbas...
Blue sky: https://www.threads.net/@marziehabbas...



Picture books under contract:
HENNA IS…(Feiwel & Friends, 2024)
AWE-SAMOSAS! (Clarion, 2024)
YASMEEN LARI, GREEN ARCHITECT (Clarion, 2024)
PICKLING TIME (Albert Whitman, 2025)
BOOKS ON MY BACK (Feiwel & Friends, 2024)

Board books under contract:
TBA

Chapter book series under contract:
NADIA AND NADIR (ABDO Books, 2024)

Reviews

[Allison Haehnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Marzieh Abbas for including librarians in your dedication. THE CAMEL LIBRARY is the story of how Murad and his camel, Roshad, brought books to remote villages of Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their success brought about grants for more traveling camel libraries to connect villages together and spread a look of books to children. Eagle-eyed readers can spot one of Ms. Abbas’s other titles in Roshad’s pockets.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during covid, this non fiction picture book told from the camel's perspective capitalizes on the uniqueness of not just a mobile library, but one that uses a camel in remote Pakistani villages, to engage children and hopefully spark discussion. On the surface the story works well for preschool and kindergarteners, but I really think early elementary children will also benefit from this book, as it facilitates critical thinking about innovation, literacy, culture, terrain, and charity. There is nothing Islamic in the text by the Muslim author, but head coverings, chadors and dupattas, are seen on many females in the illustrations, as per cultural custom. I love the backmatter, primarily for answering how Murad is compensated, highlighting the organizations that collaborated, and providing sourcing for the very real story that reads like fiction.

Roshan the camel hauls firewood for his human, Murad. When a virus hits, need drops, but then a new opportunity arises: taking books to children in remote villages. Now each day is an adventure as Roshan and Murad are greeted by excited children anxious to swap out books, share stories, and meet the celebrity camel.

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CAMEL LIBRARY tells the true story of the first camel to deliver library books to children in Pakistan. The engaging tale is told from the camel’s point of view, imagining how he must have felt as he transitioned from carrying firewood to carrying books. This book overflows with the joy of reading and books! It is also an inspiring story of a community effort to support children and literacy. Kids will enjoy looking at the detailed illustrations, too. Highly recommend this fabulous book for all children’s bookshelves!

[Natasha Khan Kazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Camel Library by M.T. Abbas, with beautiful illustrations by Anain Shaikh, is a heartwarming true story told from the perspective of Roshan the camel. Once burdened with carrying firewood, Roshan and his companion Murad are given a new purpose—delivering books to children in remote villages in Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic. This book shines with the joy of reading, community, and connection, while the soft, detailed illustrations bring the desert journey to life. A touching and inspiring story, perfect for every child’s bookshelf!

[Martha Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on a true story of a camel that brought books to children in remote areas of Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic. Told from the camel's point of view, this engaging story has bright illustrations that will appeal to children. Back matter includes information about the real camel library program and fun facts about camels. The author and illustrator live in Pakistan. Charming.

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book. It's told from the perspective of a camel who becomes a mobile library, which my kids thought was the coolest thing ever. It’s such a fun and uplifting (and true) story, it prompted a lot of good discussion with my kids. The art is reallyu beautiful, and it;s a great showcase for a part of the world we don’t see often enough in kids books. Definitely one we’ll come back to again adn again.

[Stephanie Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From consummate storyteller Marzieh Abbas comes a true tale of the first camel library in Pakistan. Created during the Covid–19 pandemic, the library enabled books to reach children in remote villages who might otherwise been cut-off. Vivid illustrations by Anain Shaikh bring us on the scene as we learn, along with Roshan the camel, how his life will change and how he will change lives. Teachers and librarians take note: backmatter provides more camel fun facts.

[Jyoti Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of carrying firewood, Roshan, the camel, and Murad, his human, are given a new job: carrying books to villages across the desert in Pakistan that have been cut off from schools and libraries because of the Covid 19 pandemic. And of course, it’s not just books they deliver, but joy, adventure and connection. With The Camel Library, author Abbas has written another heartfelt story complemented by soft digital illustrations by Anain Shaikh. A lovely addition to any collection!

[Shireen Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book since it reminded me of the fun day I rode a camel in Pakistan. It was interesting to read a children's book where kids have no dialogue and are side characters while an animals and adult are the main characters. I enjoyed reading this NF story.
Thank you Macmillan Children's for the digital review copy.

[Kari Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Camel Library is a lyrical, heartfelt story about enduring love for libraries and how a pandemic couldn’t shut down children’s love for reading with the help of Roshan the camel to shoulder the load and bring a traveling library to them. This book is perfect for homes, libraries, and classrooms!

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inspiring nonfiction picture book introduces Raheem, a librarian bringing books to remote villages on camelback. With engaging text and stunning art, it highlights the power of literacy and determination. A wonderful resource for classrooms, it sparks appreciation for stories, perseverance, and creative solutions to big challenges.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

About a camel and it's owner who during the COVID pandemic started going around to remote villages of Pakistan and delivering books. The camel became a library where kids could pick a book and then return it. A mobile library with a camel. It was the right amount of length for a smaller kid and was interesting to read about how it all came to be.

[Jessica Stremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story told from the perspective of a camel who delivered books as part of Pakistan's first Camel Library. Lyrical, entertaining, and overall a really enjoyable read. The illustrations pair perfectly with the text and add depth to the overall story. Highly recommend!

[Bonnie Kelso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story about a unique mobile library that was sparked by the COVID pandemic. Told from the point of view of a camel, this story sparks curiosity and speaks to the special relationship between humans and animals.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Roshan! What a wonderful story about getting books to future readers told very creatively from the camel's perspective (the only thing that's not a true part of the story). And I love Roshan's commentary, funny jokes, and expressiveness. I think kids will, too. A very huggable book!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cheerful, uplifting and true story of how Syeda Basarat Kasim established mobile camel libraries--books delivered by camel!--for children in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Narrated by the camel, Roshan.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting and heart-warming, this is the story of an innovative effort to keep kids reading after libraries shut down in Pakistan during the COVID Pandemic.

[Elizabeth Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming picture book. Lovely writing and illustrations and a story children will love! I highly recommend this book as a gift, in the classroom, or library story times.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this picture book told from the camels perspective of becoming a mobile library in Pakistan starting during Covid 19. Elementary and up

[Sydney Coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect way to celebrate ABOS coming up <3 what an absolute beautiful form of outreach services. Totally inspiring and lovely!

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I added this one to my list of favorites so far this year. It's a great book about bringing books to a remote place to share with other people.