The author of the popular children’s picture book The Perfect Flower Girl will be among the impressive list of local, regional and international guests taking part in the fifth Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, which will be held from 23 April – 4 May, at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

Australian author Taghred Chandab, who has generated widespread interest in her book during school visits throughout the region, says she is looking forward to meeting new young faces at the festival.

“I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival over the years and it’s an honour to be part of the 2013 line-up,” said the UAE-based author.

“Over the last six months I’ve visited so many schools across the region promoting The Perfect Flower Girl, and the response has been incredible. Earlier this year I visited Cambridge International School in Dubai and was overwhelmed when I was told over 80 children had pre-ordered a copy of my book.”

Published in 2012, The Perfect Flower Girl, which introduces young readers to a Lebanese wedding with a difference, aims to help bridge the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims in the west.

The Perfect Flower Girl is the first children’s picture book to be published in a western country about an Australian-Lebanese Muslim wedding. This beautifully written and illustrated book captures the hearts of all little girls who love weddings and dressing up. Little girls will love this story and be able to enter into this wedding with a difference, and, at the same time, be able to recognise that there is no difference between themselves and their Muslim friends.

“The response has been incredible, particularly from mums and dads, educators and the thousands of children who have heard about or read the story,” Taghred said. “I’ve received so many messages on my Facebook page from as far away as Sweden to here in the UAE praising the book, which has helped provide a fresh and welcoming insight into the lives of Muslims around the world.”

The Perfect Flower Girl will be available in the Middle East later this year. For more information, please check out the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectFlowerGirl. Alternatively, visit the publisher at www.allenandunwin.com.au. The book is also available online at www.amazon.com

Visit www.sharjahbookfair.com for more information about activities.

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