More Money to Jump-start Arabic Children’s Lit

Arabic children’s-book publisher Kalimat has just received a 1.5-dirham ($408,000 U.S.) sponsorship from Gulftainer.

This prestigious publishing house, exclusively for children, has seen just over 40 books into print. It was established in 2007 after its founder, Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, noted a paucity in quality Arabic literature for children.

It’s also Sheikha Bodour who founded the Etisalat prize for best Arabic children’s book of the year. The 2009 winner of the million-dirham ($270,000U.S.) prize was I Love or Ana Aheb, written by Nabeeha Muheidli.

I hope and expect that Kalimat will be a presence at the Cairo Book Fair, starting this Thursday. If I can only find them….