Children’s ‘joy of reading’ contest from April 28

A local publisher will launch a reading and storytelling contest for kids entitled “Reading is joyful and fun.”
Thuraya Batterjee, the founder and director of Kadi and Ramadi publishing house, said the contest will encourage kids to read books.
Batterjee announced yesterday the event will be held from April 28 to May 3 with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture and Information, King Abdul Aziz University, and Dallah Academy for Volunteers.
“In this forum we are not only creating activities for children. It’s very important to involve parents too. This participation will boost their children’s love for reading,” said Batterjee.
The contest will also help kids build up confidence to speak in public as the contest requires them to read out a story.
Batterjee said she has also invited creative writers from across the Kingdom for 20 storytelling sessions through drawing, plays, writing, games and other activities. There will also be 35 workshops for kids and 25 workshops for adults.
“We also invited speakers Maysara Taher, Muna Abusulayman, Thuraya Obaid Thamer Shaker and others. The stories of renowned Saudi writers will be on display including from Arwa Khumyys, Ayad Al-Khayari, Nouf Al-Osaimi and Eman Alkhateeb.
That’s not all, kids will also participate in two plays, one in English entitled “The secret life of princesses” and another “Abufbaddakon” (The Frog) in Arabic,” she said.
Batterjee said she plans to publish a book entitled “Dreams of Saudi children” containing the aspirations of local kids.