‘An Artist’s Journey’ emphasises the values of loyalty and belonging to one’s homeland, speaking to teens in an eloquent and beautiful language while raising several contemporary issues. These include illegal immigration and problems faced by expatriates in their lives, as well as the value of the artist in society and the importance of practicing arts to cultivate souls and encourage cultural integration.

It’s an interesting story told by an enlightened grandmother in the Hakawati style. She uses sound effects, masks and drawing tools while narrating the tale, utilising stimulating methods between one chapter and another to make the novel a story that can be heard, drawn and represented. The story speaks to the reader from the perspective of small and colourful birds, to provide them with a miniature example of a desired civic life in our Arab Islamic societies based on the values of justice, equality, respect for the supremacy of law, tolerance, love, cooperation, national identity, and defending the homeland. This is in addition to different forms of democracy such as consultation, elections, dialogue and debate, to resolve disputes and reject violence and extremism.

The book relies on the elegance and aesthetics of expression to connect with a young audience and is rich in imagery and metaphorical expression, proceeding slowly but excitingly, and is infused with imagination. The use of language is similarly inspired. In the book, birds can speak as they fly across and through the world, taking readers on a journey with wings of imagination; they are no longer just readers, but participants too.

This work encourages educators and pedagogists in general to teach in different ways, such as using art to encourage children to pursue knowledge, acquire life skills and develop their intelligence.

Age Range: 9+ years