Children had become used to spending Saturday mornings with the stories read aloud by We Love Reading ambassador Zuhur Dugheimat. But what happened during her unexpected absence inspired her to write her first children’s book: “Zuhur’s Garden Library”, a true story that reflects the children’s feelings when their reader was no longer there, and how the need for storytelling transformed into a community initiative.
WLR ambassador Zuhur Dugheimat launched the children’s book “Zuhur’s Garden Library”, which she authored in collaboration with Masarat Touqan and Tasneem Al-Omari, after witnessing what took place in her neighborhood during her absence.
Zuhur, a mother of five, was not just a reader. Despite her ongoing health challenges, she launched the initiative “We Read to Rise – Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader”, which aimed to bring books to children in underserved areas.
She expanded her efforts to include many community activities, becoming one of the most active reading pioneers.
“From the very first day, the We Love Reading training helped me learn how to design reading for pleasure sessions. It opened channels of communication I never imagined with decision makers and earned me the trust of my community. Whenever I invite them to an event or initiative, I am now one of the voices they listen to without hesitation.” Zuhur shares.
The book “Zuhur’s Garden” received positive feedbacks as an enjoyable book for both children and adults, filled with educational and deeply human messages.