Sharjah, 29th Oct. 2009 (WAM) - Sharjah-based Arabic childrens book publisher, Kalimat, has added three new titles to its selection of Arabic childrens books: Shaer Mimi (Mimis Hair), Hikayat Sayyad Samak (Story of a Fisherman) and Jarrat Al Samn wa Asal (The Jar of Honey and Butter). All three of the new titles are both educational and entertaining, and all meet Kalimats exacting standards for Arabic childrens literature.
Speaking of the latest additions to the Kalimat selection, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who founded Kalimat in 2007 in response to the lack of quality story books available for children in the Arabic language, said, "Reading is a very important skill that help children to develop vital language and cognitive skills. This is why I believe that it is so important to have quality Arabic books covering both traditional and contemporary themes made available to our children of all ages. Kalimats books fill a niche segment in the UAEs publishing market, and by publishing new Arabic childrens books and new editions of older books every year, we hope to spread the love of reading to children of all ages, no matter what their individual interests might be."Aimed at children of different ages, Kalimats new titles cover different topics and themes, with Shaer Mimi, written by award-winning Arabic childrens author Fatima Sharafeddine and illustrated by Rasha Al Hakim, taking a look at the trouble with getting what we wish for, while Hikayat Sayyad Samak and Jarrat Al Samn wa Asal, written by Sanaa Shibbani and Fatima Sharafeddine, respectively, and both illustrated by Manal Haddadine, are retellings of two classic tales from Kalila wa Dumna. The release of these new titles comes on the heels of Kalimats successful participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair, which took place from 14 to 18 October 2009 at Messegel?nde in Frankfurt, Germany. Kalimats published titles were on display at the Sharjah Department of Cultures stand at the exhibition. Sheikha Bodour represented the publisher, while author Fatima Sharafeddine and Dareen Charafeddine, Kalimats Publisher gave a presentation entitled Baby and Toddler Books: First Time Around in the Arab World. "The Frankfurt Book Fair is a very prestigious international event the largest of its find in the world and it is very important in the publishing industry. The Fair presented an excellent opportunity for us to promote Kalimats titles to Arabic speakers outside of the UAE and the Middle East," said Sheikha Bodour. "We were also able to enter discussions on the expressions of interest in our copyrights and work on expanding our distribution channels, allowing our books to reach Arabic-speaking children all over the world."With a portfolio of internationally acclaimed authors and illustrators, Kalimats extensive range of books highlights traditional Arabic culture alongside the modern challenges faced by todays children. As the first publishing house in the UAE dedicated solely to publishing and distributing high-quality Arabic books for children aged 0 to 16 years, Kalimat aims to encourage a love of reading and Arabic literature among Arab children, and has published over 30 titles, including picture books, baby books, concept books and fables.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.
