Here is a look at some of the workshops I have conducted in the past few years in the United Arab Emirates. Check my social media platforms for more photos and videos.
Improvised Storytelling Workshop at Family Festival
I hosted an improvised storytelling workshop for children at the Family Festival organized by Al Hamriya Municipality in Sharjah. The children wowed everyone with their imaginative stories, created by selecting random words from a large pile of papers.
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival
We enjoyed reading the story of the cat Harhour at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival with the UAE Board on Books for Young People.
Reading Palestine at Reel Palestine Film Festival & Kave
During a reading session at the Reel Palestine Film Festival, we read a story about bedouin’s lives in Palestine, and did a little activity on how to think about stories, characters, location, and time.
Hans Christian Andersen Reading Exhibition
The UAEBBY launched an interactive exhibition on the stories of Hans Christian Andersen. I narrated the stories at the Sharjah Art Museum both in Arabic and English. Visit the UAEBBY Instagram page for the full videos.
Al Hamriyah Virtual Reading Festival
At Al Hamriyah Reading Festival, I read two stories for children, along with doing a number of quizzes and activities. It was such a fun virtual event, using different online tools to get children to be more interactive and have fun.
Virtual Reading Session with Al Maarifa School
When COVID-19 hit the world, the idea of doing workshops physically in front of kids became impossible. However, thanks to ZOOM and Google Meet, we are still able to deliver these workshops virtually. My first virtual workshop was done with Al Maarifal School in Sharjah.
Sharjah World Book Capital Initiative
Between April 2019 and April 2020, Sharjah has been chosen as the World’s Book Capital. For that title, I was part of The Book Friendly School Campaign, which aimed at touring different schools in Sharjah, and conducting storytelling workshops for children and teenagers.
The Lighthouse Monthly Book Reading
With my book, “Big.. Small”, we spent great time with children at the Lighthouse Cafe in D3; reading, discussing, and building our own fish collage.
A Reading with Tamer Institute for Community Education
At the Sharjah International Book Fair, I had a casual reading with the Tamer Institute for Community Education, followed by a coloring activity.
Reading with Kalimat at Sharjah International Book Fair
As part of their activities at the Sharjah International Book Fair, I read two books to many schools visiting Kalimat’s Publishing pavilion.
Ahlan Ramadan Workshop
In partnership with Alwan Farah, we hosted a number of children for a workshops before the Holy Month of Ramadan; reading them a story about the holy month, followed by a workshop to design their own mosques.
Knowledge Without Borders Ramadan Nights
In. a Ramadan. night, kids gathered in Al Qasbaa to listen to a story and we. had a great discussion. This. event was organized by Knowledge Without Borders.
Reading with Nour Publishing
As part of The Reading Box. campaign, I read a book written by Nour Arab of Nour Publishing. The reading was followed by an activity for the children.
It’s Dr. Seuss Day… A Book Activity at ISAS School
It was Dr. Seuss Day at ISAS School in Dubai, so we had to find creative ways to celebrate it with the kids. And what is better than dressing up in weird clothes!
Reading with Nour
In partnership with Nour Publishing and Sharjah Libraries, I conducted a storytelling workshop followed by arts and crafts to a group of students in the city of Dhaid.
Puppets in Ramadan
Just before the Holy Month of Ramadan, we had a casual gathering for children to tell them a story about Ramadan, and it was followed with an activity, and some yummy snacks!
Another Dr. Seuss Day
I love Dr. Seuss’s books, and this book on fish is my favorite. This is a workshop done at ISAS school in Dubai celebrating Dr. Seuss’s day with FISH.
Reading with Sharjah Libraries
On a beautiful sunny day, Sharjah Libraries held an outdoor event that hosted many schools for reading activities. We read a story about grandmothers, and then we drew our lovely families. So much talent in those young children!
Writing Workshops with Kalimat and Sxill
Thinking, writing and illustrating a book in one day is kind of impossible.. but we made it happen with a group of talented ladies in partnership with Kalimat and Sxill! The. results was a number of books for children. I gave an inspirational talk on how to. become a writer.
Summer Camps are Fun with Sharjah Libraries
Everyday, children used to visit the. Sharjah Library in summer to enjoy an hour of reading, interaction, activities, and so many games. It was such a great summer!
My First Book… “Kabeer, Sagheer”
Get in Touch
info@samyareads.com
Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
Samya Reads 