Beyond Jokha al-Harthi: Women Writers from the Gulf

When Jokha al-Harthi and Marilyn Booth won the Man Booker International Prize last year, for Booth’s translation of Sayyidat al-Qamr (Celestial Bodies), many hurried to note that al-Harthi was the “first Omani woman writer” to have a book in English translation.While true, this may give the mistaken impression that there is something new about women's writing from the Gulf. But women on the peninsula have been composing sophisticated literature for centuries. Al-Khansa (575-645 AD), who was born and died on the Arabian Peninsula, is said to have been told by an admiring male writer that she was “the greatest poet among those with breasts.” Al-Khansa is said to have replied, archly: “I am the greatest poet among those with testicles, too.” Her work can be read, in vibrant translation, in James Montgomery’s Loss Sings.Prominent poet-filmmaker Nujoom Ghanem, in a 2016 interview that focused on her literary ancestors, had a similar barb: “The majority of poets in our world are male, but quantity does not make quality.” Yet among the younger generation of writers, women often dominate. In Yemen, the UAE, Kuwait, and elsewhere, emerging women writers have been flooding into writing workshops and literary seminars. Each Gulf country could have its own list of 10 women writers. Here are just a few to seek out:Raja Alem (Saudi) – Alem was the first woman to co-win the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), for her classic Mecca novel The Doves’ Necklace (translated by Adam... Continue reading at 'British Council global'

[ British Council global | 2020-02-19 10:26:57 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "Beyond Jokha al-Harthi: Women Writers from the Gulf"


Bear story to be Walliams’ next picture book

The Bear Who Went Boo!, about a cheeky polar bear cub, will be David Walliams’ next picture book, published by HarperCollins later this year.   Children’s publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh said the book, which will be released 5th November in time for Christmas, is a “deliciously funny new tale”... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Licensing Hotline: August 6

Quirk Books's 'Home Alone' picture book, new Star Wars Little Golden Books, Chronicle's bestsellers-to-brands initiative, Dynamite's expanding roster of licenses, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Picture book from rapper 'Doc Brown'

The Walker Books Group will next year publish a picture book by rapper and actor Ben Bailey Smith across the Walker Entertainment and Candlewick Entertainment imprints.   Smith, who raps under the name Doc Brown, has penned I Am Bear, a rap-style read-aloud story about a mischievous bear. The... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Picture Book That Parents Worldwide—And Google Ventures—Can't Put Down

With 600,000 books sold, the startup Lost My Name is redefining personalization in publishing.There's no company sign or logo out front. No indication of any kind that this quiet stretch of Pritchard's Road in East London includes the headquarters of a global publishing sensation. A squat,... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2015-07-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Capstone acquires Oliver picture book

Capstone has acquired a picture book by Carmen Oliver, author and founder of book agency The Booking Biz. Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies was created to encourage literacy and is about a little girl called Adelaide and her reading buddy, Bear. In the story, Adelaide has to persuade her... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


BookCon 2015: Taye Diggs and Shane Evans: Joyful in a Diverse World

At 1 p.m. today in Room 1A10, “Mixed Me: A Discussion with Taye Diggs and Shane Evans” will address more than just a new picture book. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Bury This Book In The Ground And It Will Magically Come Back As A Tree

This children's book not only teaches about ecology, it practices it.Despite the rise of ebooks, most children's books are still made from trees. One new picture book is designed as a simple reminder of that fact: When kids finish reading a story about an adventure in the rainforest, they can... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Picture book nonsense from Eric Carle

Puffin is to publish a new picture book by The Very Hungry Caterpillar author Eric Carle. The Nonsense Show will celebrate surrealism, and will be published in October to coincide with US publication. Jo Hanks, editorial director at Puffin, bought UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Gay penguins on disputed book list

A picture book about two male penguins raising a baby penguin again features on a list of books to have received the most complaints from library users. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Biddulph wins Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

Rob Biddulph was today (26th March) announced as the overall winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, as well as the best illustrated book category. Biddulph, who is also the art director of the Observer magazine, won the prize for Blown Away (HarperCollins Children’s Books), about a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


“México20″ List Spotlights Top Young Mexican Authors

The México20 list highlights 20 Mexican authors under 40 to be promoted in 2015 when Mexico is Guest of Honor at the London Book Fair. The post “México20″ List Spotlights Top Young Mexican Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Little Tiger acquires Willis picture book

Little Tiger has acquired The First Slodge, the new picture book by author Jeanne Willis and illustrator Jenni Desmond.   “We constantly look to diversify the Little Tiger list, and create surprising and inspiring picture books,” said publisher Jude Evans. “Jeanne’s text for The First Slodge... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Entering a Children’s Picture Book, Literally and Digitally

How can the digital age use the tried-and-true concept of a picture book to create something new and wonderful for children? Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Dig In: Images from 'Julia, Child' by Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad

Take a peek inside 'Julia, Child,' a new picture book that draws inspiration from the energy and spirit of Julia Child as it explores the friendship of two young gastronomes. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Peter Sís and Margaret Ferguson

Margaret Ferguson has edited children’s books for over 30 years, and is now the publisher of Margaret Ferguson Books/Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers. She talked with three-time Caldecott Honor winner and MacArthur Fellow Peter Sís, about the process of editing a picture book and how... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Walliams picture book up for prize

A picture book by comedy star David Walliams, his first in the format, is one of 24 titles for children that are in contention for this year's Booktrust Best Book Awards. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Orion Children's Books gets Keith Richards story

Rolling Stone Keith Richards is to publish a picture book with illustrations by his daughter.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


A Picture Book To Teach Kids Typography

Jeremy Dooley created a new book--and an original font--to tutor tots on typeface.They say necessity is the mother of invention, but new parenthood isn't bad for coming up with new ideas either. "After my son was born, I found that his very simple books started me thinking about a lot of basic... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2014-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


This Gender-Inclusive Picture Book Teaches Kids Where Babies Come From

A new book provides a more comprehensive look at reproduction. Imagine a picture book that explains where babies come from--but never references gender. What Makes a Baby is described as "a book for every kind of family and for every kind of kid," which means it doesn’t matter if parents are... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Prizes: “Maggot Moon” Wins Carnegie, “Black Dog” Takes Kate Greenaway

Sally Gardner has won the prestigious Carnegie Medal for "Maggot Moon;" Levi Pinfold won the Kate Greenaway Medal, which awards excellence in illustration, for his picture book "Black Dog." Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this