Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
A wishing cloud that flies around the world helping others and two siblings determined to protect the planet are at the heart of stories written by a Grade 6 Emirati author.
At the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Aletihad spoke to Joory Alzaabi, a young writer and member of the Sharjah Children Shura Councils who has already authored two books.
Her first, "Joory and the Wishing Cloud", follows a girl who loves adventures, volunteering and helping others, while "The Siblings’ Journey and Sustainability" focuses on caring for the environment.
Alzaabi ’s journey into writing began when she was eight. “I have dreamed of writing and becoming an author since I was eight years old,” she said.
With the help of her parents, she wrote her first story and continued reading before writing her second.
Through her books, Alzaabi hopes to encourage other children to pursue their own ambitions. “I want to encourage children to read and, if they have a dream, to believe in themselves,” she said.
In "Joory and the Wishing Cloud", a magical cloud arrives at Joory’s door and invites her on a journey. “I am the Wishing Cloud. Come with me, and we will go around the world and help others,” Joory said, recounting the story.
Their first stop is a place where the plants have withered. A box filled with seeds and water appears, allowing Joory to help bring them back to life. They later encounter a poor girl sitting alone. Why are you alone?” Joory asks.
After learning that others make fun of the girl, Joory comforts her and gives her a box containing clothes and other items.
“The cloud takes me from one place to another to help others,” she said.
For Joory, choosing a cloud was not simply about creating a magical character.
“For me, the cloud represents happiness. The Wishing Cloud helps people and makes them happy,” she said.
In addition, environmental responsibility takes centre stage in "The Siblings’ Journey and Sustainability", which follows Joory and her brother as they clean dirty places and try to leave them more beautiful than before.
“The first story is about helping people and making them happy, while the second story is about helping nature and reducing pollution and waste left on the ground,” she said.
Joory believes children can contribute through simple actions.
“We can encourage children to clean the environment and take care of it,” she said. “When they go on trips or visit different places, they should not throw rubbish on the ground.”
Her environmental interests also extend to her role in the Sharjah Children Shura Councils, where members discuss issues including agriculture, sustainability, pollution and improvements they would like to see.
“The Council has taught us to be confident and courageous in the meetings we attend,” she said.
The two books are only the beginning. “I want to write many, many more books,” Alzaabi said. She also hopes to write in English about nature and science, while also pursuing her dream of becoming a scientist.
