Youngest Emirati author takes book fair by storm

With only five days left for his ninth birthday, Emirati author Abdullah Ali Hassan took the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) by storm with his three children's books.

Abdullah began working on his first story around a year ago during a writing contest at his school. When he won first place for writing about the adventures of a giraffe and a pigeon, his father asked his friend, who owns Nabati Publishing house, to make his son's story into a book.

"My brother's friend told him ‘I'm busy' at first but when he actually read the stories, he was impressed and told my brother that he wants to sell the books,” Abdullah's uncle revealed.

Speaking to Gulf News at the ADIBF 2015, Abdullah, who is the eldest of three siblings, shyly said: "I read a lot of books related to animals. I am both happy and proud of my achievements.”

The eight-year-old is not accustomed to the attention he is receiving although he had his own book signing last Saturday and was featured on several news networks.

When asked about his next book, Abdullah simply stated: "I'm thinking.” He has translated three out of his five stories into English and has submitted his books to the Library of Congress.

The young author wears the national dress accompanied with large glasses that reflect his ambitions for the future.

"I want to become the Minister of Interior,” he said with a grin.

Abdullah has met many prominent UAE figures including Lt Gen Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club

The Emirati artist has also drawn all of the characters illustrated in his book called Abdullah's World.

Abdullah's World features five stories including the school prize winner, The Giraffe and the Pigeon, among other stories and games.

Interestingly, Abdullah writes his stories using pen and paper and plans on creating stories for children and adults when he is older.

With more than 500,000 titles on display and 1,181 exhibitors from over 63 countries, Abu Dhabi Book Fair returns each year with the world's leading publishing houses, book sellers and readers from across the world and to a vibrant commercial marketplace.

With Abu Dhabi rapidly becoming the hub of the Arab book trade and the point of reference for booksellers, publishers and distributors in the Arabian Gulf, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and KITAB continue to develop the book and publishing industry and promote reading in the Arab world. The book fair is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and will end on May 13.
Source: Gulf News