As National Day approaches kids in Abu Dhabi will be learning more about the country they live in. With that in mind, TOAD spoke to children’s author Marina Ruiz about her new activity book 3.2.1 Explore The UAE.
What is 3.2.1 Explore The UAE about?
3.2.1 Explore is the first activity book of what I hope will become a series of entertaining and educational books for children who wish to explore a country and its culture. For the first book in the series I decided to focus on the UAE, and aimed it at younger children.
Why did you decide to write this book?
The idea came to me during a family trip to Thailand in January 2010. Looking for a playful way to introduce the country to my kids (five and three years old), I could not find what I was after in the usual book shops. So instead I put together a little folder for them based on information I found on the internet and in travel books such as the country’s flag, the spoken language, the currency used, the landscape, the country’s etiquette and habits, the religion and so on, essentially a proper source for games and fun while learning the culture for my daughters. They came back from the trip with their memories engraved with this holiday exercise book, which was illustrated by various family pictures.
Upon our return, and after finding out we would be moving to Dubai in September 2010, I tried to find a book to introduce the country to my kids, but also to help keep in touch with family, friends and the children’s classmates remaining in France by explaining to them where we are going to live. As I could not find anything to fit my needs again, I decided to create not only an informative, but also an entertaining way to explain a country to children. The 3.2.1 Explore brand was born.
Who is the book aimed at?
3.2.1 Explore is 84 informative pages including games for kids (girls and boys) living or visiting the UAE, but also their friends and their families. The games are aimed at kids aged between five and 11, but the information is suitable for all age groups, including adults!
Is there anything else like it in bookstores?
No, it is the first book for children about the UAE that combines learning information and games.
What subject matter does the book cover?
With 3.2.1 Explore The UAE, children go on a trip with Wens, the tour guide for curious children. They will discover and learn more about the UAE thanks to questions and answers about inhabitants, landscape, wildlife, traditions, food, transport and much more.
What different activities can be found inside the book?
Activities in the book include different types of games (written and drawing), quizzes, postcards to send to friends and a notebook to write in.
Does it teach any key skills?
As well as learning new information children can also improve their reading because the structure of the sentences and the vocabulary are suited to kids improving their word skills. The draft was read by teachers in order to be adapted for that purpose. There is also a notebook and activities to write (for example Arabic letters) and to draw (for instance, arabesques). Games also include activities where children can calculate, recognise shapes and complete crossword puzzles.
Do you think having fun while learning is important?
It is important to have fun while learning because that is the best way to keep kids engaged and willing.
Are you looking to sell the book to schools to use as a teaching aid?
I’ve looked at different distribution avenues, including libraries, shops, schools and tourism centres. The feedback from the schools we’ve contacted has been very good. For the moment a number of schools have agreed to promote the book through the teachers in order to inform parents and children that this book exists. I’m also looking to come and meet children in schools and speak to the children in order to explain the writing, editing and publishing process. Children are very attentive and ask a lot of questions!
Have you got a plan to write any other books soon?
As of now, the book exists in French and in English, and we’ve started to distribute 3.2.1 Explore The UAE in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The plan is to develop the distribution in the UAE, and maybe to translate it into other languages including Arabic. We’re also looking to take the product online and make it digitally interactive.
After we’ve achieved that I plan to develop the 3.2.1 Explore brand by writing new books about other countries. I have already started to put together content for a few countries, and I’m now looking at partners or sponsors to help me to publish them.
3.2.1 Explore The UAE is now available for Dhs90 from WHSmith (Al Wahda Mall), All Prints Library and the Alliance Française. For more information on private sales visit www.facebook.com/321explore.
