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Author Keeps it True to Life When Writing for Children

Abir Ballan, a Lebanese author with a masters degree in public health, has decided to cross the threshold with five books for kids for different ages.

From her son and two daughters, Ballan found an environment rich with childhood issues that inspired her to write Arabic books for children.

“The idea struck my mind all of a sudden while narrating some stories to my own kids. I was encouraged by some friends and started writing a year and a half back depending on daily life experiences and depicting real issues in simple, meaningful and attractive words,” she told Khaleej Times.

Being dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of current childhood books, as well as the strong competition from foreign books, Ballan wanted to present something new and preserve the Arabic language and culture at the same time.

“The foreign childhood books, with their attractive quality, content and illustration, have become predominant in our eastern societies despite being unsuitable for our culture and traditions. The Arabic books available here are not well illustrated or produced, and most importantly spotlights unreal and sometimes negative issues that do not even match children’s age,” she believed.

In her simplistic and vivid style she has penned books that depict basic activities that all kids are involved in. “I have shed light on them through: ‘Delicious Food’, ‘Playing with Dad’, ‘Swimming with Fish’ and ‘Let’s Sleep,” she said. Ballan stressed that reading must be an inseparable part of children’s life, and not only limited to academic study.

“Every child should have his or her own library at home. There should be a specific and suitable place, time and condition for reading, and young kids should learn how to respect their books, and regularly go to the public library to read and borrow books,” she said.

Dareen Charfeddine, Editor of Kalimat Publishing House, said that only two publishers — including her, in the UAE who are interested in such Arabic childhood books.

“We need attractive books that go well with children’s mental development and handle real life issues,” she said, adding that the titles published range from educational stories, which explore the milestones of growing up to Arabic fables that enhance parent-child relationships.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE