My Account
My Wishlist
My Basket (
Trends in Children’s Publishing: Alexandra Gunn, Amal Nasser & Mariam Al Qasimi
Date/Time: Friday 3 February 2023 10:30-11:20
Venue: 6th Floor Emirates Library, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Al Jaddaf - Dubai
Language: English
Session No: 33
Children’s publishing is a particularly dynamic area of the industry – and at times a volatile one. Our panel of representatives from children’s publishers take a look at the issues driving debate around children’s books, from diversity and inclusion to the distorting effect of celebrity authors on the market.
Panelists include Alexandra Gunn, Amal Nasser and Mariam Al Qasimi.
Alexandra (Alex) Gunn has worked in publishing for over 10 years. Coming from family history of publishing – her father was, and still is involved in the book world – it was inevitable that she found her way into it. In the UAE, Alex worked at some of the most well-known and respected book retailers and distributors building up an incredible knowledge and understanding of the market as well as using the opportunity to share her passion for reading. Early in 2019 Gunn joined Scholastic- the world’s largest children’s Publishing company, bringing her wealth of knowledge and commitment to reading, she is driving sales and loyalty across the UAE and South Africa.
Amal Nasser is a Lebanese writer, storyteller, novelist, screenwriter, poet, trainer, and organiser of artistic, literary, and educational workshops for children and adolescents. She founded Dar Roumaneh, specialising in children's literature in Beirut. She also worked as the editor-in-chief for children's magazines. Her book The Tunnel won first prize at the Beirut International Book Fair in 2016. Nasser also translates from and into Spanish, her first translation Taif was published by Kalimat Group Publishing House.
Mariam Al Qasimi is an Emirati author and publisher who holds a master’s degree in Linguistics from the American University of Sharjah. Al Qasimi is the founder of Araam publishing and has published 15 bilingual children’s stories of which three of them were turned into musical plays. She has been awarded Sharjah children book award in 2018 and made it to the shortlist of Sheikh Zayed Book Award in 2019. She has also written numerous articles for Al Roeya and Al Khaleej newspapers.
This session is moderated by Deema Al Alami
As you plan your day at the Festival, please take into consideration that it takes between 30-60 mins to commute between the Intercontinental, Festival City and Mohammed Bin Rashid Library.
