Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind

My name is Abdullah Bin Salim al Ashur and I live with my people in Wadi Hasik close to Al Haffah in the Governance of Dhofar on the southern coast of Oman. Abdullah and His Grandfather , written by Andy McNab and illustrated by Patricia Al Fakhri ( Jerboa Books , 2008) is about the greatest day of eleven-year-old Abdullah's life: the first day his grandfather took him to the wadi (dried riverbed) to harvest Boswellia trees for their luban (frankincense). Luban is essential to Abdullah and his grandfather and their people, and greatly prized in Omani history. Abdullah is very happy and eager to learn how to make a taqii (cut) on Boswellia tree branches using his manqaf (a traditional Arabic tool like a miniature scythe) so that luban will leak from the branches. The luban will harden and in two to three weeks time will resemble large pearls. These pearls of luban can then be removed from the trees and sold in the suqs (traditional Arab market places) of Salalah. Abdullah...

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Today, let's get to know award winning Australian children's book author Christopher Cheng . I've asked Chris a few questions so that he can introduce himself and his work to readers of Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind. Thank you so much for sharing, Chris! What was it like growing up Asian Australian? How has the experience informed, influenced, and/or inspired your work as a writer for young readers? My dad is from Hong Kong and my mother was born here of European ancestry. I have the best of both worlds being half Australian born Chinese. I got to live in Australia but travel to Hong Kong regularly as a kid, meeting relatives and having just the best fun!!!! Growing up I was in a school with kids whose parents were of a range of different heritages. There were though only a few of Chinese ancestry and I would think that it is true to say that I really didn't think that I was much different to any of the other kids - although I did have a Chinese name! Now as I tr...

My beautiful cousin Kate, who lives in Manama, Bahrain, has sent me a copy of Abdullah and His Grandfather , written by Andy McNab and illustrated by Patricia Al Fakhri. I can't wait to read it and blog about it! Abdullah and His Grandfather was published in 2008 by Jerboa Books . Jerboa Books is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is dedicated to producing top quality children's books with a focus on Arabia. I am so glad to have discovered this publisher! Mardel of Rabid Reader has given Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind a Beautiful Blogger Award. Thank you so much, Mardel! By the way folks, Mardel is a really youthful and cool grandmother! :o)

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* The National Book Development Board - Philippines and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People will present the first National Children’s Book Awards in July. The awards will honor the ten best books in the Philippines for children and young adults (from the years 2008 and 2009). Nominations for the awards are now open and will close on April 15. Click here for the award rules (click on the image to enlarge it). The nomination form is available here . *Two new children's book awards will be announced at the first Asian Festival of Children's Content in May: the Asian Children's Book Prize, and the Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award for Singaporean children's books. I am so excited about all these awards! =D