Riding a Donkey Backwards

A collection of 21 riotous tales and riddles about the Mullah Nasruddin


Why does Mulla Nasruddin spoon yoghurt into the river? What is the reason he rides his donkey backwards? Why does he paint a picture that is blank? And is he crazy to move into the house of the man who's just burgled him?

Find out all about the amazing antics of Nasruddin in these twenty-one hilarious stories and riddles, famous throughout the Middle East for their jokes, riddles and wisdom.

Winner of The Aesop Prize 2019 (United States)
Winner of Middle East Book Award Picture Book Section 2019
Winner of USBBY Outstanding International Book 2020 (United States)

"Written in a lively, fresh and accessible style, bridging the east and west, the old & new. The book’s backstory is also inspiring..."

"Muslim culture is portrayed in its richness without the text feeling like a cultural studies project, and the sheer warmth and playfulness of each little vignette gives an insight into the common ground in all cultures that humour breaks. Children and adults will find themselves laughing out loud at the Mulla’s antics. Highly recommended."

"Sumptuous...It's a collection of 21 tales and riddles about a trickster known across Muslim culture. The text feels modern, but the illustrations feel traditional. They are bright and welcoming, playful and intelligent."

"Full of brilliant humour and amazing papercut illustrations, it's a real treat!"

"Jokes, riddles and wisdom in a riotous collection of classic tales starring a popular character from the Islamic world. Khayall Theatre is an award-winning company dedicated to the exploration of Muslim literature for stage, radio and screen."

"They’re just right for classroom use across a wide age range as well as great to share as a family. The tellings are enormous fun and Shirin Adl’s humorous collage illustrations an absolute delight; don’t miss the splendid Islamic tessellation style endpapers."

Sean Taylor is a children’s author, storyteller and teacher with experience of creative writing teaching in three continents. Two of his books have been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize: Purple Class and the Half-Eaten Sweater and Crocodiles are the Best Animals of All (with Hannah Shaw). Sean Taylor lives in Bristol. Khayaal is a multi-award-winning theatre and drama education company dedicated to the exploration of Muslim world literature and the experience of Muslims in the modern world for the stage, radio and screen.


Shirin Adl was born in the UK but was brought up in Iran. Her many books for children include Pea Boy, Stories from Iran, and Shahnameh, with Elizabeth Laird, Ramadan Moon and Mabrook! A World of Muslim Weddings, with Na’ima Robert, Let’s Celebrate and Let’s Play, poetry anthologies with Debjani Chatterjee, and The Book of Dreams, which she wrote and illustrated herself. Shirin Adl lives in Oxford.

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