Hassan Cheruppa
Saudi Gazette
Arwa Khomayyis is a versatile genius. She has been a prolific writer, author of children’s books, a publisher and bookstore manager, as well as an academic.
The young Saudi woman, who holds a doctorate in the history of fashion and customs, has authored 20 books, 18 of them for children.
She owns and manages a publishing house — Arwa Al-Arabeia for Publishing (Dar Arwa) with her husband. Her a pavilion at Jeddah International Book Fair has been drawing huge crowds of visitors, especially children and teenagers. “Ours is one of the most successful corners for kids at the fair. The response from young readers was overwhelming,” Khomayyis said.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, she said the Jeddah fair has come as a realization of a long cherished dream of readers, writers and publishers. “We, people of Jeddah, are excited as we have been eagerly waiting for this kind of an event for several years. Crowds of avid readers and excited youngsters thronging the fair venue are ample proof for this.”
She thanked the city’s residents for embracing her books. “I am overwhelmed by the response from young readers, especially children who thronged the pavilion for signed copies of my books. I get tired of signing, but it has been a unique experience,” Khomayyis said.
She said many visitors came to her pavilion, looking for books exclusively for young readers. “Many of them came and talked about books, initiating a healthy dialogue about reading. All of them wanted books signed by the author.”
According to Khomayyis, the reading habit is not dying out. “There is much scope for books in spite of the digital revolution. An unprecedented number of young Saudi women, including school and university students, frequent my store to buy books. I am overjoyed to see them looking for good books and talking to each other about them.”
Khomayyis said she had taken her books to international fairs held in Riyadh as well as in several Arab cities, including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Cairo. She also went to book fairs in New York, London, Frankfurt, Prague and Bologna. “I have also taken my books for exhibitions on other occasions sponsored by someone,” she added.
Khomayyis expressed her delight in becoming a successful author and publisher, apart from her academic career. “I have lots of support from my family and my husband, who runs the bookstore. While I concentrate on book production, he manages other matters related to the store,” she said.
A graduate from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Khomayyis did her higher studies in the history of art, culture and museology from Leeds University, London. She did her PhD with a focus on the history of art and culture, and traditions and customs of Saudi Arabia. She works as assistant professor at the faculty of art and design in Al-Rehab campus of KAU.
In addition to 18 books for children, Khomayyis wrote two novels meant for adolescent readers. Dar Arwa published nine of her books while the rest were brought out by other publishing houses.
Inspired by her own children, Khomayyis began writing children’s books in partnership with different publishing houses. Later, she established her own publishing house to focus on rich and meaningful Arabic content that celebrates Arab culture and deals with contemporary topics relevant to children.
“I am Roomi” was the first title brought out by Arwa Al-Arabea, and it was the first in a three-book series featuring Roomi.
“Arwa Al-Arabea aims to encourage independent thinking and creativity among children as well as to foster dialogue between the young and old. This was exactly what endeared Roomi to little readers as a charming, opinionated girl who has her own ideas about what to wear and is not afraid of expressing herself. More importantly though, she is able to find creative solutions that are true to her identity and yet accommodate her mother’s penchant for pink and zipper,” said the young author.
The book received four nominations for the Etisalat Award for Children’s Literature in Arabic.
Khomayyis’ latest novel “Haflah Shay Fi Qasri Cinderella (Tea Party at the Palace of Cinderella) is one of the bestsellers at the fair. This book was also nominated for Etisalat Award during the Sharjah International Book Fair this year.
