Elephant tale

BAHRAINI author Nada Fardan has dropped her first children’s book in English, which normalises making mistakes and learning from them in a supportive environment, offering valuable lessons to both children and parents.  

Illustrated across 20 pages by UK-based Iranian artist Maliha Ahmadi, One Trunk Away is the heartwarming tale of Harry, a young elephant, and his mother, who gently encourages him to face new challenges on his own.

“It’s a delightful read for children and a comforting reminder for parents about the importance of nurturing confidence and resilience in their little ones,” the Sanad resident told GulfWeekly.

“One day, when Harry’s mother falls ill, he must dress himself without her direct help. Initially uncertain, Harry finds comfort in his mother’s assurance that she is ‘just one trunk away’.

“Through three relatable incidents, the story imparts valuable lessons about embracing independence, understanding that mistakes are part of learning and feeling reassured by a parent’s unwavering support,” she added.

The mother of one came across the phrase ‘I’m just one phone call away’, while watching television, which ignited the idea for the book.

“That simple yet powerful statement moved me and sparked the theme of my story: encouraging children’s independence while reassuring them of parental support.

“I chose a family of elephants, to make it more relatable to young readers, and replaced the ‘helping hand’ with a ‘helping trunk’. This story is targeted at children in higher kindergarten and first grade, and encourages them to embrace small steps towards independence while knowing their parents are always close by to guide them,” she revealed.

The former architect, who took to writing as a full-time career a decade ago, has published 13 books so far, including One Trunk Away.

Initially, Nada was hesitant to write in English since it is her second language, but once she set the story concept, her confidence grew.

“Writing in Arabic feels natural and intuitive, while writing in English required a mindful approach, particularly in addressing cultural distinctions embedded in the language,” she said.

“What motivated me to take this step was a desire to reach a global audience of young readers. English, as a universally spoken language, provides an opportunity to connect with children from diverse backgrounds.

“Additionally, I have non-Arab friends who have long encouraged me to create something their children can enjoy. Their unwavering support, even attending my book launches, inspired me to write this story as a gesture of gratitude,” she noted.

Nada thanked popular Bahraini creatives – author Rasool Darweesh and English professor Zainab Al Laith – who helped her in the editing process. One Trunk Away was published by local house Al Ayam Publishing.

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding the right sponsor and publisher. Initially, I signed with an Egyptian publisher, but the process was fraught with delays and complications, particularly regarding the quality and design of the book. After much deliberation, I decided to collaborate with a Bahraini publisher. This change allowed me to oversee the design process personally, ensuring that every detail met my standards,” she explained.

Not one to rest on her past laurels, Nada is already working on her next story The Source of Generosity, which is set to be published next month, and will also venture into illustration with this project.

“The book was commissioned to me by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage to enrich children’s literature for the Sharjah Heritage Days Festival (being staged in February). This will be my first experience bringing my own artistic vision to life, and I look forward to sharing it with my readers,” she added.

One Trunk Away can be purchased at the Bahrain National

Museum gift shop and online on www.alnadaworkshops.com.