8-year-old Emirati child publishes book

The Emirates Writers Union, Abu Dhabi branch, will on Sunday evening host Ali Abdullah Hassan Al Ahbabi, the eight-year-old Emirati writer and painter.
During the event, Ali will read his story, The Giraffe and the Dove, which was recently published with his own drawings that reflect his imaginative narrative.
Abdullah Hassan Al Ahbabi, Ali's father, will also talk about his son's experience and the atmosphere surrounding him that lead to his creative work.
During the celebration that is to be held at the Abdullah Omran Taryam Hall at the Abu Dhabi Writers Union's new headquarters, poet and critic Mohammad Abdullah Nour Al Din will also give a speech as a publisher for children's books.
Ali's work has attracted a lot of interest and he was awarded by Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, during his meeting with prominent authors and writers at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
The media has lauded Ali's creative work and his ideas through writing and drawing.
Habib Al Sayegh, chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, said that it "comes to embody our faith in the union that we should have a role in nurturing talents and give them the opportunity to express themselves, stressing in particular on the writing of the child themselves as a response to the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and Honorary President of the Union.”
Al Sayegh added, "We have translated these kind directives on several occasions, including the creativity group of the Union, headed by poet Salem Bo Jumhur, which hosted a group of school students in addition to evenings organised by the Union's poetry and story club.” – Gulf News -