Abu dhabi: Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, has launched four new children's books in English and Arabic. Rooted in the UAE's traditions and natural environments, the books are designed with interactive features, including touch-and-feel elements, pop-up illustrations, and engaging animations, to create an immersive learning experience for young readers. Through them, children are invited to explore key aspects of the nation's identity, from its enduring heritage to its desert landscapes, marine ecosystems, and diverse wildlife.
According to Emirates News Agency, the books are inspired by the museum's narratives and include titles such as "Qudwati - Under the Desert Sky," which invites young readers to explore the desert landscapes that shaped the values of the United Arab Emirates' Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This book uses storytelling and illustrations to present the desert as a living classroom that teaches resilience, curiosity, and respect for nature. The Arabic edition was produced in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.
Another title, "Kitabu - Step Inside, Listen Closely," allows children to journey through Zayed National Museum's architecture, objects, and galleries in a pop-up format. Each page features stories and objects that bring the UAE's history and culture to life, encouraging children to explore the museum and its treasures through imagination and discovery.
The touch-and-feel book "What's this? - Animals of the United Arab Emirates" is crafted for early learners, introducing children to animals native to the UAE while fostering curiosity and exploration. Meanwhile, "Our Life by the Sea," an interactive colouring book created in collaboration with €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬°ditions Anim©es, focuses on the importance of the sea in Emirati culture. Children can colour the pages and use the dedicated BlinkBook app to transform their drawings into animated scenes.
These new titles form part of Zayed National Museum's growing publications programme, which also includes "Magan Rediscovered: The Building of a Bronze Age Boat That Sailed the Arabian Gulf," published earlier this year, and "Zayed National Museum's Collection Highlights."