Queen did not have Hebrew book offer, Jordanian officials say

Queen Rania of Jordan did not receive offers to publish her new children’s book in Hebrew, official Jordanian sources said.

The sources said Thursday that those offers would have gone directly to the U.S. publisher, Hyperion, following reports the previous day that Rania had rejected offers to publish “The Sandwich Swap” in Hebrew.

The book was published in English and Arabic and launched in the United States in April. The New York Times best-seller addresses dialogue and tolerance, and the Jordanian sources stressed that Jordan was committed to these messages.

The book’s main characters, Lily and Salma, allow the differences in their food to stand in the way of their friendship. Lily brings a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich to school, while Salma brings pita and hummus. After a schoolwide fight, they eventually work out their differences.

According to Rania’s website, proceeds from the sale of the book will go to an organization in Jordan that is renovating 500 schools there.

The book, directed at children aged 4 to 8, was co-written with Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Tricia Tusa.