|
It’s not easy being a toddler – just ask little Zein. In Ashtaq Li Baba (I Miss Dad!), the child desperately misses his father. In La Akdar An Anam (I Can’t Sleep!), a fear of dinosaurs keeps Zein awake, and in Wa Ana (And Me?), he’s jealous when twins steal the limelight. But there’s a silver lining – the curly-haired child is helping improve Arabic literacy.
She has been working for Kalimat since its inception in 2007. It was founded by Sharjah royal Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al-Qassimi, who was frustrated to find Arabic children’s books weren’t of the same quality as those in English. A year ago, they’d only published five books, now they’ve produced 25 and another 20 are on the way.
Explaining that her own daughter seems reluctant to speak Arabic at home, Charafeddine thinks it’s sad that children in the Arab region are “leaning more towards English and other foreign languages”. “It’s a good thing to speak other languages,” she continues, “but it’s not right to forget your mother tongue. There’s this idea of being westernised, being equipped with the languages of the future and the workplace – and this is fine, but you shouldn’t lose your own language.”
While Charafeddine admits that “there’s a lack of interest in reading in the region”, there are positive signs. It’s just been announced that Dubai will host an International Children’s Book Fair in February 2010. “We want to develop and flourish,” says Charafeddine. “Our aim is to promote reading as a lifelong habit.” www.kalimat.ae |
J Magazine speaks to Dareen Charafeddine, editor at Kalimat, a publisher teaching Arab kids their ABCs 
Zein is the creation of Kalimat (“words”), a publisher making quality kids’ books in Arabic. “We [the Arab world] have kids’ books that aren’t up to standard,” says Kalimat’s editor Dareen Charafeddine. “The illustrations, the design, the production, the printing – they’re often cheap-looking and condescending to children. If you’re not familiar with a child’s world, you can’t write a book for kids.”
Despite such rapid growth, convincing schools, parents and governments of the value of teaching kids to read Arabic from a young age remains a challenge. These books promote literacy, stimulate creativity, help secure the future of the Arabic language in its own region, and introduce characters to kids who share their physical characteristics and are sensitive to Arab values. “It’s important for kids to see characters who look like them,” says Charafeddine. 
Kalimat, she says, is a cross between a business and a cultural organisation. She hopes it will be profitable in the future; for now it’s supported by its founder’s private funds and sponsorship. Various schemes exist to promote literacy in the Arab world and Kalimat’s books have been distributed widely, but getting shops to sell them is another matter. “When they see Arabic books aren’t selling,” explains Charafeddine, “they hide them at the back of the shop. It’s a vicious circle – people don’t want to read in Arabic, so Arabic books are neglected.”