Al-Suhail Signs Her Children's Publications at Amman International Book Fair
Al-Suhail: 'The heroes of my stories are not just characters I drew on colored papers, but they are friends who walk with the child on their journey of growth'
Amman4 min read
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The Egyptian Knowledge House organized a signing event for the writer and literary figure Dr. Sarah Talib Al-Suhail, as part of the activities of the Amman International Book Fair, held at the Jordan Exhibition Center in Mecca Mall, in the presence of a number of writers, intellectuals, academics, and media professionals, along with children and their families.
The event witnessed meetings between Al-Suhail and her young readers, who came to get her signature and exchange conversations with her about the characters and events of her stories, while her conversations with parents and mothers addressed the role of reading in children's lives and the importance of presenting stories that combine the fun of discovery and human values.
She also pointed out that writing for children is a literary and humanitarian responsibility, which requires understanding their world and respecting their intelligence and questions, pointing out that the story gives them a space for imagination and reflection, and helps them understand themselves and their relationship with others.
She affirmed: 'Children's literature is the greatest trust; the word we plant in a child's mind today is what determines the features of their future'.
Al-Suhail talked about her experience in writing children's stories, including the series 'Adam', 'The Princess of the Lake', 'Nada', 'The Bird of the Scorpions', 'Firuza's Shoe', and the stories of Sugar, Sun, the Three Buttercups, and the Ivory Lake, explaining that she is keen to diversify characters and adventures, and that the child finds in each story what arouses his curiosity and develops his imagination and human sense.
She added: 'In every work, I strived to open up a horizon for the child that elevates his imagination and develops his human and social sense'.
Speaking about the presence of books in the age of screens, Al-Suhail emphasized the need to present stories that are able to attract children with their language, characters, and events, and to provide space for reading in their daily lives. She pointed out that the family plays a fundamental role in bringing the book closer to the child, through shared reading and dialogue about the stories, and allowing him to express his opinion and choose what he likes to read.
She stressed that the relationship between the child and the heroes of the stories may continue after finishing reading, when he finds in them friends who share his questions and dreams, and encourage him to face difficulties. She said: 'The heroes of my stories are not just characters I drew on colored papers, but they are friends who walk with the child on their journey of growth, teaching them love, tolerance, and courage in the face of difficulties'.
She expressed her happiness at meeting children and their families, considering that listening to readers gives the writer a closer understanding of the impact of their works, and what attracts children's attention and remains in their memories of situations and characters.
She said: 'When I see the sparkle of passion in the eyes of children as they hold the stories, and I listen to the discussions of parents and mothers about the impact of these stories in their homes, I realize that the truthful word has a power that does not fade'.
Sarah Talib Al-Suhail's experience combines writing children's stories, poetry, articles, and interest in social and humanitarian issues, with a presence of children's rights and women's issues in her writings and cultural participations.
During the event, children's conversations and questions about the heroes of the stories and their adventures continued, in a meeting that allowed young readers to get closer to the writer and share their impressions about the stories they loved.
