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Tribune News Network
Doha
The Forgotten Garden by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, written originally in Arabic by Basma Elkhatib, illustrated by Omar Lafi, and translated into English by Ghenwa Yehia, was named a finalist in the category of Children’s Picture Book (Illustrative 6 Years & Up) in this year’s Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as was One Box, Many Hearts by first-time author Bayan Khaled. Fadi Salameh illustrated it, and it was also named a finalist in the category of Best Overall Design (Fiction).
“HBKU Press remains a leader in the local publishing industry by providing our authors and their books with the opportunity for international recognition and visibility,” explains Bachar Chebaro, Executive Director of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press.
“We are extremely proud of the contribution HBKU Press makes to the global literary landscape and our commitment to participating in cross-cultural communications in a global context. Now, more than ever, diversity in literary voices is essential to build stronger communities with a foundation of compassion and understanding.”
The Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group, in collaboration with Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency, presents the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The award was created to recognise the best independently published books in 70 different categories each year. It is now in its 15th year and is the world’s largest international awards program for independent authors and publishers.
The Forgotten Garden combines nostalgia and mindfulness to create a story that transports the reader to a forgotten time and place that is hidden in plain sight. It was praised for its originality, inventiveness, and lyrical prose.
The story follows an unnamed narrator as she reflects on the subtle changes that occur in her neighborhood – changes that are unseen but constant as time passes. In her awe of the changes, she is taken aback by a place of beauty and joy that is easily overlooked but always present, silently waiting for someone to slow down, take notice, and appreciate the joy it can bring.
Elkhatib’s three children were the inspiration behind the story with their innocent view of the world.
“Before becoming a mother I thought I would have to teach my children about the world and help them discover it,” Elkhatib explains. “But it was quite the opposite. With their innocence and purity, my children were the ones who helped me rediscover the world, correcting my jaded beliefs, and revealing to me its beauty once again. I hope that others are reminded to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures and joy nature has to offer when they read The Forgotten Garden, just as my children reminded me.”
This is Elkhatib’s second collaboration with Ghenwa Yehia, a fellow children’s book author and translator. They also collaborated on Elkhatib’s award-winning In the Light of Hope (HBKU Press, 2019).
“It is always a pleasure to work with Ghenwa as she never lets me down,” she said. “Rather, with her delicate sensitivity and linguistic acumen, she has elevated my story and captured its essence so a whole new audience can enjoy my work.”
Lana, a young girl forced to flee her home due to conflict, is the protagonist of the story One Box, Many Hearts. Her entire world is turned upside down without her many comforts in a strange new place. Despite the fact that her new home is safe, she had to leave everything behind, and she misses her old friends, school, and home terribly. She doesn’t have anything. Is Lana ever going to be able to call this new place her home?
Bayan Khaled, a first-time author and Research Fellow at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Islamic Studies, reflects on what inspired the poetic story and working with HBKU Press, saying, “I feel a strong connection with refugees because of my father: he grew up as a refugee who struggled and overcame so much to provide a better life for his family, with the help of m Now I feel it is my responsibility to demonstrate to the world the value and beauty of kindness and generosity to others. A small and insignificant act of kindness can mean the world to someone else who is struggling and have a positive impact on their life.
“As my first time publishing a book, I was quite nervous about the process but HBKU Press was extremely responsive and supportive along the way. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with them in the future.”
Fadi Salameh, who has also illustrated I Look Like the Moon (HBKU Press, 2018) and many other HBKU Press books, was overjoyed to learn of the honour. This is Omar Lafi’s third collaboration with HBKU Press, following illustrations for the 2021 World Book Day Book, Migrating Hoopoe (HBKU Press, 2021), and Wool Yarns (HBKU Press, 2021). (HBKU Press, 2019).
The Forgotten Garden will be available in Qatari bookstores later this year, but it is already available as an eBook on Kindle, Overdrive, and Streetlib. One Box, Many Hearts will be available in bookstores across Qatar next month, and it is currently available in Qatar through the Snoonu, Rafeeq, and Purplebox apps and delivered to your door. It’s also available as an eBook on Kindle, Overdrive, and Streetlib.
Doha
The Forgotten Garden by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, written originally in Arabic by Basma Elkhatib, illustrated by Omar Lafi, and translated into English by Ghenwa Yehia, was named a finalist in the category of Children’s Picture Book (Illustrative 6 Years & Up) in this year’s Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as was One Box, Many Hearts by first-time author Bayan Khaled. Fadi Salameh illustrated it, and it was also named a finalist in the category of Best Overall Design (Fiction).
“HBKU Press remains a leader in the local publishing industry by providing our authors and their books with the opportunity for international recognition and visibility,” explains Bachar Chebaro, Executive Director of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press.
“We are extremely proud of the contribution HBKU Press makes to the global literary landscape and our commitment to participating in cross-cultural communications in a global context. Now, more than ever, diversity in literary voices is essential to build stronger communities with a foundation of compassion and understanding.”
The Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group, in collaboration with Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency, presents the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The award was created to recognise the best independently published books in 70 different categories each year. It is now in its 15th year and is the world’s largest international awards program for independent authors and publishers.
The Forgotten Garden combines nostalgia and mindfulness to create a story that transports the reader to a forgotten time and place that is hidden in plain sight. It was praised for its originality, inventiveness, and lyrical prose.
The story follows an unnamed narrator as she reflects on the subtle changes that occur in her neighborhood – changes that are unseen but constant as time passes. In her awe of the changes, she is taken aback by a place of beauty and joy that is easily overlooked but always present, silently waiting for someone to slow down, take notice, and appreciate the joy it can bring.
Elkhatib’s three children were the inspiration behind the story with their innocent view of the world.
“Before becoming a mother I thought I would have to teach my children about the world and help them discover it,” Elkhatib explains. “But it was quite the opposite. With their innocence and purity, my children were the ones who helped me rediscover the world, correcting my jaded beliefs, and revealing to me its beauty once again. I hope that others are reminded to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures and joy nature has to offer when they read The Forgotten Garden, just as my children reminded me.”
This is Elkhatib’s second collaboration with Ghenwa Yehia, a fellow children’s book author and translator. They also collaborated on Elkhatib’s award-winning In the Light of Hope (HBKU Press, 2019).
“It is always a pleasure to work with Ghenwa as she never lets me down,” she said. “Rather, with her delicate sensitivity and linguistic acumen, she has elevated my story and captured its essence so a whole new audience can enjoy my work.”
Lana, a young girl forced to flee her home due to conflict, is the protagonist of the story One Box, Many Hearts. Her entire world is turned upside down without her many comforts in a strange new place. Despite the fact that her new home is safe, she had to leave everything behind, and she misses her old friends, school, and home terribly. She doesn’t have anything. Is Lana ever going to be able to call this new place her home?
Bayan Khaled, a first-time author and Research Fellow at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Islamic Studies, reflects on what inspired the poetic story and working with HBKU Press, saying, “I feel a strong connection with refugees because of my father: he grew up as a refugee who struggled and overcame so much to provide a better life for his family, with the help of m Now I feel it is my responsibility to demonstrate to the world the value and beauty of kindness and generosity to others. A small and insignificant act of kindness can mean the world to someone else who is struggling and have a positive impact on their life.
“As my first time publishing a book, I was quite nervous about the process but HBKU Press was extremely responsive and supportive along the way. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with them in the future.”
Fadi Salameh, who has also illustrated I Look Like the Moon (HBKU Press, 2018) and many other HBKU Press books, was overjoyed to learn of the honour. This is Omar Lafi’s third collaboration with HBKU Press, following illustrations for the 2021 World Book Day Book, Migrating Hoopoe (HBKU Press, 2021), and Wool Yarns (HBKU Press, 2021). (HBKU Press, 2019).
The Forgotten Garden will be available in Qatari bookstores later this year, but it is already available as an eBook on Kindle, Overdrive, and Streetlib. One Box, Many Hearts will be available in bookstores across Qatar next month, and it is currently available in Qatar through the Snoonu, Rafeeq, and Purplebox apps and delivered to your door. It’s also available as an eBook on Kindle, Overdrive, and Streetlib.
