world_pictures

Books from
Qatar
Contact: Amira Abed
amira.bqfp@gmail.com
Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing was established as Qatar’s first
publishing house to publish books of excellence and originality in English
and Arabic. They are dedicated to cultivating new literary talent especially
in Arabic by organizing events to support the development of aspiring
new literary talent and running creative writing workshops. In the schools
community, their fast growing role has gained them a lot of recognition
among teachers, librarians and parents as they build a literary culture in
Qatar and the Middle East through reading events and other initiatives such
as World Book Day.
Through Reading and Writing Development (RWD) they aim to give Arabic
literature the importance it deserves by creating content for librarians/
teachers and literary resources such as the annual Children’s Book Guide with
readers looking to RWD for quality book recommendations, book resources,
and a community with whom to share their passion. They are also working on
establishing a BQFP standard for libraries that local Independent Schools will
aspire to meet.
They provide readers with a well-rounded list of children’s books in a
combination of literature in translation and original writing and a variety
of illustration styles, subject matters, and cultures. For example, Hamda and
Fisaikra and Victory Over Abu Derya are retellings of old folk tales from the
region which expose Qatar’s diverse ex-patriate community to the Gulf’s
rich heritage. They aim to bring children in the Arab world closer to books
on relevant themes such as tolerance, unconditional love, and fun and to give
the message that good pleasurable books and active child-friendly libraries
should be accessible to each and every child in school.
the world through picture books • books from qatar • 139