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Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) has welcomed the beginning of this year’s summer season, which officially began on June 21. As summer offers students on school holidays plenty of time for rest and other extracurriculars, younger readers are encouraged to enjoy some reading initiatives and learn more about the Earth, the environment, and efforts surrounding sustainability they themselves can get involved in right away.
Readers interested in learning more about the environment can begin with “The Boy at the End of the Alley” by Basma Elkhatib. This book, geared towards young adults, introduces readers to the concepts of recycling and sustainability through the story of Salim and his family. After his aunt, Saliha, breaks her leg, she moves in with him and his family while she recovers. There’s just one problem – Aunt Saliha is obsessed with the environment and all things recycling! While this serves as a major distraction to Salim at first, he is soon able to appreciate the newfound knowledge Aunt Saliha brings him. Read about how Salim becomes an innovator who is appreciated by everyone in the neighborhood.
Living in the modern age often comes with a heavy dependence on various electric appliances and gadgets. The Exhausted Electronics by Nada Abu Dahab brings our attention to the toll continuous usage of our devices take on not just ourselves, but our planet as well. This thoughtfully illustrated children’s book tells the story of Adam and his family who, like many of us, never seem to turn off their devices. As a result, these electronics begin to quickly burn out! Will Adam understand the importance of conserving energy before he’s left in the dark? Readers are invited to delve in and find out, and perhaps make a habit of conserving energy where possible themselves.
Learn more about the importance of a healthy ecosystem with “Air Trees” by Dr. Jabr Al Noaimi. An illustrated children’s book with an important lesson, “Air Trees” simplifies the message of environmental coexistence through a story of palm and sidr trees. Once palm trees start complaining about the sidr trees taking up too much space, Nasser and his father decide to remove the sidr trees to replant them in a field far away. Instead of helping, this sets off a chain reaction within the ecosystem and a decline in date production. Will Nasser and his father figure out a way to restore the natural balance?
Younger readers interested in learning more about the diversity of the ecosystems are encouraged to explore the informative and brightly illustrated duo, “The Book of Trees” and “The Book of Birds,” by Nathalie Tordjman. Both are comprehensive and thorough resources, with “The Book of Trees” containing information about trees, their classification and types, and their ability to defend themselves as well as communicate with one another. It also includes information about a tree’s complete anatomy, growth, age, and much more. “The Book of Birds” similarly helps readers discover over 200 different types of birds, exploring their physical traits, diet, habitat, migratory habits, and so much more. Both are gorgeously illustrated and not to be missed by nature enthusiasts or anyone looking to learn more about the world around them.