The American School of Doha (ASD) recently held its first Arabic Book Fair, co-ordinated by the associated Arab Mother’s Association (AMA).
Three publishers, Dar Asala, Dar Kalimat and Hachette A. Antoine, provided a large selection of Arabic books for various grade levels. Students from each division were given the opportunity to attend the fair and were included in a raffle awarding two winners with a book.
This book fair was important for the AMA because the group says it “feels strongly about ASD students progressing in their Arabic reading levels.” They hope to encourage literacy in two or more languages by providing students with the resources necessary for achievement.
Hoda al-Mansoori, President of the AMA, was very proud of the success of the Arabic Book Fair. She said, “One of the main goals of the AMA is to enrich the school’s libraries with Arabic books and resources to provide the students with a wider variety. Therefore, we have donated QR10,000 worth of books to the ASD libraries.”
There was a special guest appearance by Qatari author Shaikha al-Zeyara who was on campus signing copies of her children books, The Stranger, I Want to Be a Mom and Princess Ameena. Shaikha al-Zeyara published her first children’s book in 2009, but began writing long before. She read her stories to her daughter and was then encouraged to write books. She appreciated the opportunity to visit the Arabic Book Fair. “Although ASD is an American school, its students are multicultural and many of them speak Arabic. It is important for children to know their mother language and to be proud of speaking and reading in Arabic.”
ASD Director Dr Deborah Welch was “extremely impressed” with the quantity and quality of the books offered at the fair and stated. “The Arab Mothers Association has brought Arabic children’s books to ASD to promote the enjoyment of reading and the development of literacy. This is the first year of this endeavour and it has been so successful that we hope it continues annually.”
TOGETHER: Shaikha al-Zeyara with ASD students during the fair.
