Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) is proud to announce that its best-selling children’s title, A Recipe for Home written by Ghenwa Yehia, has been announced as the winner of several categories in the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.

A Recipe for Home, published in November 2017 by HBKU Press, was named the first-place winner in the categories of “Cultural Diversity” and “Family Matters”; it was awarded second place in the “Food Related” category; and was given an honourable mention in the category “Picture Books 6 & Older”.

In 2009, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards were conceived to recognize and honour accomplished authors in the field of children's literature, as well as highlighting up-and-coming, newly published authors, and younger published writers.

Divided into 56 distinct subject categories ranging from books on the environment and cooking to sports and family issues, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are geared toward stories that appeal to children of all ages. Books that are awarded the prestigious Purple Dragonfly Book Award are original, innovative and creative in both content and design, and provide children the very best in reading excellence.

“I am delighted, humbled, and honoured to receive such a prestigious award,” explains author and award-winner, Ghenwa Yehia. “This book is so close to my heart as it was written with my personal experiences in mind, but with the knowledge that in today’s multicultural world, in it is a message almost anyone can relate to. I’m am so happy about the positive reception that it has received from parents, children, and now, industry experts. I am deeply grateful for HBKU Press for believing in this story and for the wonderful team who worked hard to bring my dream to fruition.”

“This is a monumental win for both the author of A Recipe for Home and for HBKU Press,” explains Jameela Sultan Al Mass Al Jassem, the Children’s Book Editor of HBKU Press. “International recognition by the committee of the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards for Ghenwa Yehia underlines her talents as a writer and, with regards to HBKU Press, it reaffirms that the publishing house is producing quality literature that engages, teaches, entertains children.”

The illustrator of the book, artist Inna Ogando, was thrilled to be able to bring the author’s words to life, stating, “I am very proud of being the illustrator of A Recipe for Home. I can easily identify with the theme of the book as I myself have lived in many different countries with many different cultures, which makes the story of the book, about cultural heritage, family values and staying true to one's roots, very dear to me.”

The book targets children aged 5 – 12, though its content is relatable to both children and adults alike. Layan and her friends go on a mouth-watering journey where they explore different cultures and make a delectable discovery about the limitless love between family that knows no borders. Here, you will find the answer that every multi-cultural child asks: Where is my home? 

“We had a very tight competition this year and our judges definitely had their work cut out for them,” says Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters LLC, the organizers of the awards. “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of our winners.”

A Recipe for Home is currently being translated into Arabic by HBKU Press.