A children’s book, written to promote self-worth, has been released by a Bahrain-based author.
Otter is the third title in Jordanian born Muna Imad Rabieh’s collection, all of which use an animal as the centre of the story to grab young readers’ attention.
The book is illustrated by Camila Rodrigo, an illustrator based in Chile, and sees Otter wake up one day lost and far away from his friends, and he doesn’t remember who he is or how to get back.
Along his quest to return home, he meets animals who try to guide him, telling him who they think he is.
“The story is written in a fun rhyme with strong values promoting self-worth, being true to yourself, and not being easily influenced by others,” Ms Rabieh told the GDN.
“It is a great reminder that not everything others say about us is true!”
Aimed at children aged three to seven, the 22-page self-published book was inspired by Ms Rabieh’s passion for educating young minds on how to handle and manage relationships with others and with themselves.
“How much of our interactions with others are reflective of who we are and how much of them have to do with the person we’re communicating with?” said the 32-year-old author.
“Writing this story is my way of conveying to children, in a fun and light manner, that not everything people say about them is true.
“It’s important for me to send this message to children at a young age so that they don’t end up carrying with them a lot of destructive beliefs that never really had anything to do with them in the first place.
“This story makes it easier for us to address this topic with youngsters and plant a very important and healthy seed in their psyche.”
Though there are no firm plans on the horizon for another book, Ms Rabieh said she would in the future like to write books about children with special needs and how people can create an inclusive society.
Ms Rabieh will host a number of book readings this month; the first will be at Words Bookstore Café, Budaiya on February 16 at 10am.
For further details about upcoming book readings, follow @booksbymuna on Instagram, where you can also purchase a copy of Otter.
The book is also available for BD4 from Yellow Submarine and Kidzeville in Saar, as well as the National Bookshop, and will be available in Words Bookstore Café and Virgin Megastore, Bahrain City Centre in late February.
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