Hopefully, this will give you a flavour of the diversity we so enjoy on this blog!

the arabophile

Which all goes to say that, for me, the Arabic language is oceanic in nature and can absorb anything into its vast genetic pool… I think the time has finally come to treat Arabic as a great reservoir, a live magnet that can absorb foreign influences today as easily as it did in the past. – Sargon Boulus

Perusing the papers

There was plenty of news papery bits last week (and weekend) – includingAndrea Byrne’s article on the rise and rise of the Children’s Book Festival -

We’re delighted to be showcasing such a strong contingent of Irish authors and illustrators in this October’s programme, including both new names and familiar faces. In such a challenging year, it is also incredibly positive that we are able to maintain the festival as a truly national event. It really is testimony to the creativity, talent and enthusiasm to be found around Irish children’s literature at the moment, from the artists and publishers who produce the books, to the teachers and librarians who do so much important work on the ground.
- Tom Donegan (Children’s Books Ireland)

And elsewhere – it’s official… The Irish Times loves Oliver Jeffers.

Read Kutub KIDS

الكتب! الكتب! الكتاب! For children and parents interested in Arabic kid lit

And, Right on Time For Banned Books Week…

The Israeli Education Ministry apparently has decided that the various book bannings I wrote about Saturday were insufficient. According to Ha’aretz:

The Education Ministry summoned the principal of a Sderot area high school for consultations after the school was found to be using a banned textbook that includes material on the Palestinian narrative of the Israel-Arab conflict.

The ministry recently instructed the Sha’ar Hanegev high school to cease using a history text that offers both the Israeli and Palestinian narratives of the conflict. The material in the book is taught as part of an enrichment, five-unit history class initiated by the school.