Dual-language copies of Dog Loves Books will be distributed at the event.
Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing and Qatar National Library (QNL) will celebrate World Book Day (WBD) this year with a public event aimed at children. At the event, children will receive free dual-language copies of this year’s award-winning WBD selection, Dog Loves Books, by Louise Yates.
The public event will take place at Landmark Mall on Friday near the food court. From 2pm to 5pm, families can drop by to celebrate WBD through book-related activities and by participating in story time and reading new books.
“Qatar National Library is delighted to participate in this year’s celebration of World Book Day, which is the biggest global book show, marked in over 100 countries across the world,” said Dr Claudia Lux, project director of QNL. “World Book Day fosters renewed appreciation for the contribution of authors, illustrators, books and those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. In partnership with Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, we are organising a public event for children of all ages to explore the pleasure of reading.”
During the week, schools have been invited to Awsaj Academy at Qatar Foundation where schoolchildren will join other third graders at fun workstations based on Dog Loves Books. Reading circles will be conducted in English and Arabic, while the activities range from story-writing to drawing.
Altogether, Bloomabury Qatar will distribute 2,000 free dual-language copies of Dog Loves Books all over the Middle East. Outside Qatar, copies of the book will be donated to the We All Read event in Bahrain, the Palfest in Palestine, the Ruwwad in Jordan and at an event being organised by Red Crescent in Egypt.
World Book Day works to raise awareness of BQFP’s larger dedication to enriching the reading and writing environment in Qatar, in both Arabic and English, and among children in particular.
“We are so happy to see World Book Day expanding the way it has. Five years ago, we started out with modest school visits and a much smaller quantity of books. I hope this growth continues every year with more books for more children across the Arab world,” said Lana Shamma, acting director of reading and writing development, BQFP.
