Washington, DC - The American Psychological Association has granted a nonexclusive license to United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) to translate into Arabic several titles published by APA’s Magination Press® children’s book imprint and to distribute free copies to children and their caregivers living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Books will be distributed by UPA via its school-based “Healing Through Feeling” program in Gaza, which enables Palestinian mental health practitioners to provide kindergartners, their families, teachers and caregivers the awareness needed to understand and address their symptoms of trauma.

“The United Palestinian Appeal is very pleased that the APA has agreed to this arrangement to the benefit of children in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” said UPA Executive Director Saleem F. Zaru. “We appreciate APA’s support and are very proud of this program.”

APA Executive Publisher Jasper Simons said the agreement directly supports APA’s mission to advance psychological science to benefit society and improve people’s lives. “Helping children in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank who may be subject to significant stress and trauma is very much in keeping with our mission,” he added. “We are delighted to work with UPA on this initiative.”

Magination Press titles that are included in this partnership are: "Healing Days: A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma" by Susan Farber Strauss, PhD; "Imagine a Rainbow: A Child’s Guide to Soothing Pain" by Brenda S. Miles, PhD; "Jenny Is Scared! When Sad Things Happen in the World" by Carol Shuman, PhD; "Max Archer, Kid Detective: The Case of the Wet Bed" by Howard J. Bennett, MD; and "A Terrible Thing Happened: A Story for Children Who Have Witnessed Violence or Trauma" by Margaret M. Holmes.

United Palestinian Appeal is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian American registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and activities in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. It works to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian people and strives to contribute to the long-term socioeconomic and cultural development of Palestinian communities. UPA’s focus areas are health and wellness, education, community and economic development.

Established in 1978, UPA is the oldest Palestinian-American non-profit organization working to support Palestinians. Throughout the years, UPA has allocated over $100 million for projects and programs in support of its mission. For more information, visit www.helpupa.org.