(MENAFN Press) Kalimat Publishing House, the Sharjah-based award-winning publisher of high quality Arabic children's books, and with the support of du - the official sponsor for Kalimat activities in UAE - held a series of readings lately to highlight stories that are rooted in traditional Emirati folk tales, in addition to the stories that simulates other issues, educate children on the differences in others, and help them assimilate. Readings were held on three weekends at the Sharjah Islamic Museum and also in schools in Fujairah and the Al Nahda School for girls in Lisali.
This forms part of the publishing house's commitment to encourage a love for reading in children throughout the Emirates by taking books to their schools and places they visit.
The readings featured among others the books Ahmed Al Helou (Sweet Ahmad) and Ghaya Wal Hanish (Ghaya and the Snake). Based on Emirati folktales and traditional Emirati songs, they are part of Kalimat's heritage series that aims to motivate young readers to explore the rich and varied Emirati culture.
As well, Kalimat's author Sahar Naja Mahfouz read from her books Zarafa Melia and Houroufi Tarquos for children with special needs at the Sharjah Islamic Museum. Both books focus on characters who are shy because they looked or felt different.
Zarafa Melia (Mylia the Giraffe) is about a young giraffe whose long neck makes her different and friendless, until this long neck helps her to locate a lost little lamb. Houroufi Tarquos (My Dancing Letters) is about a little boy who has trouble reading until he gets his really cool glasses.
Speaking about the reading events, H.E Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Kalimat Founder and CEO, said, "Since we are in summer break, we began to focus on other places to continue promoting the love of reading among children and to introduce them to the culture of the UAE and its heritage. The reading can be fun and a hobby for kids to enjoy it at any time and place."
Commenting about the reading sessions, Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand and Communications, du, said: "We are glad to see Kalimat's initiatives to inculcate a culture of Arabic reading among children. We are certain that over a period of time these efforts will bear fruits. We would like to see more and more children come forward and participate in these highly interactive and engaging activities."
Kalimat has also announced the winners of their 'A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words' competition. The winners were Ahmad Khaldoun Refaei, Fouad Chergui and Muhammad Amjad. The competition highlighted the joy of reading as a family, with the public being asked to send in photos that showed dads and their children reading together. The photos were published in an album on facebook and the three entries that drew the maximum number of likes and comments emerged as the winners.
Commenting on the competition H.E Sheikha Bodour said, "When only mums read to children, children will develop an interest in books. But when both mum and dad read to children, it strengthens family bonds and reinforces a child's feeling that reading is enjoyable and entertaining. Thus fathers become an important part of their children's language development process."
