Shaikha Bodour said the exclusive selection of books will suit the minds and intellect of young Arabs and are written by an elite selection of authors.
Sharjah - They tell stories from around the world and from different times.
Published: Sat 7 Nov 2015, 11:00 PM
Updated: Mon 9 Nov 2015, 7:50 AM
Fourteen books written by celebrated Arab and international writers have been launched at the ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair.
The books were launched by Rewayat, the newest imprint of the Sharjah-based Kalimat Group, and cover topics like history, fairy tales, realistic human and social stories, and good and evil. The books narrate stories of characters from all over the world and from different times.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, said, "The idea of establishing Rewayat came seven years after the launch of Kalimat, the first publishing house in the UAE dedicated solely to publishing and distributing high quality Arabic children's books.
" ... Kalimat (succeeded) in promoting the love of reading among Arab children by providing them with attractive content that appealed to their minds and intellect. Kalimat's readers have grown up and are at an age that requires us to provide them with books that reflect this change in them. This is why we launched Rewayat, the book imprint dedicated to publishing novels and short stories for young adults and adults."
Shaikha Bodour said the exclusive selection of books will suit the minds and intellect of young Arabs and are written by an elite selection of authors.
"We have been eager to ensure the text and content of these books meets the needs of adolescents and youth. There is a selection of translated titles which will provide books with a global outlook in Arabic that suits young people who are open to learning about different civilisations and cultures. Rewayat's books seek to make reading fun, a passion and a lifelong hobby for young Arabs."
Among the books launched by Kalimat Group at the SIBF 2015 is "Pharaoh 9.0" (Fira'on 9.0) by Lebanese writer Yousef Al Buaini, which takes readers on a journey to the year 2034 via many countries and revolves around a mystery related to the curse of Pharaohs.
"Master of Nightmares and The Dreams Tent" (Ed Al Kawabeess Wa Khaimat Al Ahlam) by Palestinian writer Asma'a Abu Maraheel is a novel that tells the story of Mimo, a homeless boy who never imagined that he would be the reason behind people's happiness.
"Bonghany The Healer - The Story of An African Mother" (Bonghany Al Shafi - Hekayat Om Afrikeya) by Emirati writer Mohammed Al Hammadi is the story of a long journey where young Merit ventures through African deserts, wasteland and bush land. The journey is filled with fear and peril and his only guide is his mother's heart.
"Norsan Sotra Series 1 - The Real Power" (Norsan Sotra 1 - Al Quwa Al Hakekiyah) by Egyptian writer Asma'a Qadri chronicles the eternal conflict between good and evil, through Nursan, a boy keeper of physics and science who spent years learning skills that would enable him to take control of one of the powers of the universe. "The Desert Wolf Series 2 - The Black Pearl" (The'ibou Al Sahraa 2 - Al Lou'loua Al Sawda'a) by Denys Johnson-Davies and translated by Dr. Muusa Al Haloul is a new story in the form of old tales narrated by grannies and featuring tales from the land of Sinbad, deserts and wasteland.
"Maggot Moon" (Yaraqat Al Qamar) by Sally Gardner and translated by Iman Fathi is a novel about the dreams of little maggots who travel to the moon. It examines the difference between irrefutable truth and limitless imagination.
"The Breadwinner" (Al Moeela) by Deborah Ellis and translated by Jana Al Hassan tells the story of an Afghan girl named Parvana, who had to disguise herself as a boy to sell matchsticks. Despite its sad tone, the book wants to prove that there is always hope.
"Masah" by Palestinian writer Hani Al Salmi takes readers on a journey between checkpoints set up by soldiers everywhere where the same scenes are repeated.
"Mandala" by Egyptian writer Hanan Motabbaq is about Malika and raises questions such as 'would I live in the time of my grandchildren who have not come or would I live in my father's time before I was born?'
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
E-Paper
Sign In
0°C 
