Tag Archives: publishing

Horouf, a program launched by Kalimat publishing, aims to develop the Arabic curriculum and resources for teachers in Arabic schools, in order to improve children's Arabic language skills. The program was designed in consultation with educators and is rooted in the experiences and opinions of teachers, based on their first-hand knowledge of children's learning habits, needs, and interests.

UAE education professionals have commended the outcomes of the first phase of Hurouf's implementation, launched in early 2011 under the direction of Kalimat's Founder and CEO HE Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. The program was piloted in 32 schools, and training workshops were provided to 51 teachers.

Sheikha Bodour explains the importance of quality Arabic language education, saying, "The Hurouf programme was launched with a focus on promoting the Arabic language as a key element of the national Arab identity, and is central to enhancing national identity and raising children who are proud of their Arab roots."

A study conducted by a team of educators and specialists at the same time as the implementation showed the programme to be suitable for children with different abilities and needs, and easy for teachers to implement.

According to Fatima Bu Taweel, an Instructor at the Sharjah Educational Zone, the layout and production of the material made it easy to apply and use, and very engaging for students. "It is important to offer children a range of creative activities, and the teachers' guidebook describes a number of methods and activities appropriate for children."

Kalimat continues to work on implementing several programmes that will strengthen children's relationship with their rich language and culture throughout the UAE and the Arab world.

A guest post from Nida'a Moghrabi (@supernido)

Growing up in the eighties, I remember enjoying the Arabic books published by "Al-Maktabah Al-Khadra'". I read the stories until I memorized them. But I'm not here to talk about my experience, I'm here to talk about my daughter Mariyah's. Living in the US makes the whole idea of introducing her to books so easy and full of fun. We read at home and play/read at the bookstore, we attend story-telling there too! It's one of her favourite places to go to.

Most of the English books Mariyah has were given to her as gifts by mothers or friends who have read the same books when they were little.

Reading to Mariyah -and to her baby sister Selma- is something sacred. I make sure I read to them both at separate times, and sometimes together. Mariyah loves reading and memorizing whole pages from different books. She "helps" me reading and she "fixes" my mistakes too. That's kind of fun.

Then at some point teaching her the Arabic alphabet was not enough. I always wondered how I could make her enjoy the language and actually love it and be proud of it and it's beauty. I had in mind that once she turns 5 I'm going to get her the Jordanian schools' Arabic curriculum books.

And then something beautiful happened!

I discovered Arabic children's books by Kalimat Publishing. I fell in love with their books and wondered why we weren't this lucky when we were kids. I mean Look...

In addition to many others, I got her this book because she LOVES the moon. She is the happiest when she spots it during day time, I mean in daylight. She knows that once the moon is up, it's time to sleep and when the sun is up she knows the moon goes to Amman and so tete has to go to bed.

Aaaaand I got her this one, this particular one for a very VERY special occasion that I won't talk about here now...But I will do so soon soon insha'Allah :)

These books are worth a lot in our home. She only knows about the 1st book so far. She enjoys reading her book over and over and OVER again! I'm giving her the second one as a gift tomorrow after her Ballet class.

They also worth a lot because the shipment from the Middle East was fairly costly. But to be honest, it's all worth it. The books themselves are really affordable. The material they're made of and the drawings/coloring, the simple and fun stories, the finishing, the covers...everything about them is beautiful.

I'm just glad I got them and I'm glad my little girl loves her books. She asked us about دولاب الهواء، السكاكر و الأراجيح so we took her to San Mateo County Fair where she experienced the whole thing herself. Now she can't wait for Eid!

Neither can I. Because I promised her a beautiful pair of blue shoes for next Eid, just like in one of her stories...

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You can browse similar books by Kalimat publishing in our bookstore, and catch up with Nida'a at her blog - www.jeedos.com

It was announced yesterday that the judging panel for the third edition of the Etisalat book award for Arabic children's literature has been approved for the year 2011.

The Etisalat book award, an initiative by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, was launched in 2009 with the support of Etisalat, and is the most significant award for children's literature in the Arab world today.

The judges, all of whom are experienced and respected literary figures, will be expected to review all entries and to carefully examine the results before selecting the winning titles, which will be announced this November. Newly formed each year, the jury is expected to perform their duty in a transparent and fair manner as per the criteria and standards of the award.

In order to participate in the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature, entrants must meet 14 terms and conditions which include, among others, that the book be written in Arabic, and that it was published within the past three years. The book should not be a local, regional or international award winner, and it should be original; translated or quoted works will be excluded.

Entry is open to all Arab and international publishing houses dedicated to producing Arabic-language books targeting children from ages 0 to 14. The publisher is also committed to publishing 2,000 copies of the winning book bearing the logo of the prize for non-profit purposes.

Stay posted for more updates on the Etisalat children's literature award!

Source: ameinfo.com

ARABOH.com recently spoke with two Arab-American mothers who designed a fun and interactive Arabic-language game in response to their own children's learning needs, and will soon be releasing the game to the rest of the world!

Abjad, a game targeted at 3-6year olds  that focuses on alphabet recognition and vocabulary enrichment, was born from Reem Atassi and Mouna Abdelhamid's longing to have their children learn the Arabic language and heritage. "In search of tools to teach our children, we encountered massive road blocks of non-stimulating, un-illustrated, and often outdated Arabic educational tools. As a result, we, as mothers, decided to create a fun and interactive Arabic-based learning mechanism that could compete with its English counterpart."

Check out www.abjadhawaz.me for details on the game's upcoming release, and watch the video below for a demonstration of the game.

التمساح الأناني هو أول كتاب عربي / انكليزي للأطفال يتم نشره من قبل دار بلومزبري -مؤسسة قطر للنشر وهو الآن متوفر على موقع عربو. دار بلومزبري - مؤسسة قطر للنشر هي كيان جديد لشراكة بين بلومزبري للنشر ومؤسسة قطر للتربية والعلوم وتنمية المجتمع.

بناء على دعوة من مؤسسة قطر أفتتحت بلومزبري مؤخرا مكتبها في المدينة التعليمية في الدوحة ، قطر. تهدف الشركة للبدء في نشر كتب عربية / انكليزية للوصول الىنشر حوالي ١٠٠ كتاب سنويا،والمساهمةالفعَالة في مشاريع لتطوير القراءة والكتابة بين الأطفال على حد سواء لأغراض التعليم والمتعة الأدبية.

يسعدنا في عربو أن نوفر لعملائنا الأعزاء في كافة أنحاء العالم أول كتاب عربي / انكليزي لدار  بلومزبري - مؤسسة قطر للنشر والذي يحمل عنوان "التمساح الأناني". قصة جميلة من كتابة فوستن تشارلس ومايكل تيري والكتاب ذات طبعة محدودة.

ويسر عربو أن يقدم لكم هذا الكتاب الرائع الذي يحتوي على قصة معبرة ومرحة. اطلب نسختك اليوم وأستمتع بهذا الكتاب المميَز.

The Selfish Crocodile, the very first Arabic-English children’s book to be published by Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (BQFP) is now available at ARABOH.com.

Upon invitation from Qatar Foundation this past year, Bloomsbury Publishing recently set up offices in Education City in Doha, Qatar. The company’s aim is to start up an English and Arabic publishing program that will build up to approx 100 books every year and initiating projects to develop reading and writing amongst children both for education and pleasure.

ARABOH.com is excited to provide customers all over the world with the very first release of BQFP’s children’s books, The Selfish Crocodile. This popular story, originally written by Faustin Charles and Michael Terry, is now available in a special dual language edition.

ARABOH.com gives The Selfish Crocodile two thumbs up for its fun story and engaging illustrations. Check out the book and buy your copy today.