We have always believed in the impact of reading, not only on children but on the entire community. Throughout the read-aloud sessions with our ambassador, Susan Setterallah, in Saudi Arabia, she has consistently shared new insights with us on its impact. For Susan, reading aloud was a response to her inner voice urging her to learn the Classical Arabic language.
We share her story in her own words:
As an Arab, I used to feel embarrassed about not knowing certain words in classical Arabic. I found reading aloud to be the best way to train my tongue.
I started with Sufi novels and read “The Forty Rules of Love” with my friend, but it was not a successful beginning. I then decided to try reading simpler books, such as children’s books. During this journey, I was shocked by the quality of Arabic children’s books! While my initial goal was to improve my reading skills, these stories took me in a different direction, they made me more protective of my Arabic identity and pushed me to explore further. It felt like I had uncovered a great secret in Arab society. Now, I can say that I have discovered why many Arab children do not read for pleasure.
During my search, I struggled to find stories that satisfied me, especially ones that reflected the culture and folklore of the Palestinian people. That’s when I decided to write a story that represents what I would love to see and read to children.
My perspective completely changed when I met an amazing expert in this field, the writer and poet Maya Abu Al-Hayat, director of the Palestine Writing Workshop. Through her books, I discovered the We Love Reading program when I came across “Questions in a Travel Bag” book. That was my entry into a whole new world dedicated to reading aloud. Maya made me fall in love with Arabic children’s literature and silenced the noise of commercial bookstores within me, along with the flashy advertisements of many publishing houses that produce visually stunning books but, in my opinion, fail to match their appearance with meaningful content.
I coordinated with We Love Reading ambassador Mrs. Sanaa Samara, the founder of Wamdat, who always encouraged me by saying, “it would be unfair to deprive children of your talent and unique approach to children’s literature.”
Now, whenever I discover a new story worth telling, I reach out to Mrs. Sanaa, who professionally and passionately organizes the reading session. I consider these sessions essential, and it brings me great joy to bring a smile, or even a wisdom, to those who listen, helping them navigate their days a little more easily. I love seeing children happy when they engage with an exciting book.
Our ambassador Suzan discovered an entirely new world when she stepped into the world of reading. She met like-minded friends who work together to create change in society. Take the initiative and join We Love Reading training and embark on your own journey!