UK author Kay Woodward recently held a special storytime and book-signing event at Maktaba Children’s Library to celebrate the launch of her new book: The Not-So-Brave-Knight (Franklin Watts, 2016).
At the event, sponsored by Quantum Global Solutions (Quantum), children were enthralled by the hilarious activities of Sir Billy and Princess Olive at the annual Royal Jousting Tournament. Following the event, Kay signed 100 copies of the book, which can be purchased from Maktaba. The library is also offering a free signed book to any family signing up for a year’s membership to the library.
Following the event, Maktaba founder Sarah Champa Al Dafa said, “This was a great event in the Maktaba calendar setting the scene for the rest of the year. Having Kay read her latest children’s book to our children was magical. They were all very excited to learn about Sir Billy and how being funny can help in the scariest of situations.”
“We were delighted to sponsor this event to kickstart Maktaba’s year of activities,” said Peter Murphy, Quantum Managing Director. “Early reading is one of the cornerstones of education and we hope today’s event will encourage children to develop a love of reading themselves.”
Kay Woodward (Facebook: Kay Woodward, www.kaywoodward.co.uk) has written over 150 children’s books in three countries, also writing as Kay Barnham. She has been published by Puffin, Scholastic, Andersen Press, Wayland and many other UK publishers. Her specialist subjects are chocolate, survival skills, ice skating, history, science, bad jokes, Roald Dahl and lightning. And although she writes both fiction and non-fiction, perhaps her most favourite things to write of all are funny books like The Not-so-brave Knight. She lives in Qatar with her husband and daughter. She said of the event, “I love seeing the actual reactions when children listen to a book that I’ve written – and the children at Maktaba were a great audience!”
Maktaba Children’s Library (Facebook: Maktaba Qatar, www.maktabaqatar.org) is one of the first children’s libraries in Qatar. The library is open to the public and welcomes children of all ages – from toddlers to teenagers – with a range of storytime sessions, research facilities and a book lending service. The library is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation funded through membership, partnerships and grants.
Quantum’s Q-munity CSR programme, started in 2013 and is aligned to the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011–16. The programme aims to actively add long-term value within the community by interacting with local organisations and supporting health, sport, community and educational initiatives.
