Amplifying Algerian Voices in Children's Literature
Our story
By Wahiba Kiared, Founder and CEO
Dar Kiared’s story begins with the family and community that shaped me in Algeria, where I was born and raised.
My uncle, Rabah Kiared, was taken out of school as a child to help support his family. Yet he never lost sight of the importance of education for himself and for future generations. His involvement in Algeria’s struggle for independence helped shape my understanding of freedom: the opportunity to learn, to lead and to tell our stories in our own voices.
My grandmother, Yemma l’Aziza (Beloved Mama), used to say that everything in the universe has its place, and that what is meant to be will always find its way back to where it belongs. Building Dar Kiared has given those words a new meaning for me: a way to celebrate my roots and cultural heritage.
My cousin, Mohamed Kiared, saw possibilities others overlooked. He encouraged my individuality, even in spaces where expectations for girls could be limiting. This helped me imagine a future beyond those expectations.
Together, these experiences shaped my understanding of whose voices are heard, whose experiences are recognised and who gets to tell the stories that define us. They also shaped my belief that children deserve books that reflect the richness of their lives and give them room to imagine.
Why Dar Kiared
For over a decade, I worked in the charity and international development sectors, supporting community-led education initiatives.
I saw what becomes possible when communities have the resources and trust to lead. That experience strengthened my belief that people should have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions and the stories that affect their lives.
Dar Kiared brings that belief to children’s publishing. We centre Algerian writers and illustrators, creating space for stories rooted in their experiences, perspectives and imagination.
Our aim is to publish books that move beyond stereotypes and reflect Algerian lives with depth and dignity: books in which children can recognise themselves, encounter others and imagine new possibilities.
Looking ahead
We are building a new generation of Algerian children’s books and creating opportunities for the people who bring them to life.
Our ambition extends beyond individual titles. We want to support Algerian writers and illustrators as they develop their practice, help their work reach more readers and expand children’s access to stories that speak to their lives.
Dar Kiared is named in honour of the people and place that shaped this vision.
For enquiries or collaborations: info@darkiared.org
