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[veiledsentiments]

A better question than "when" might be "how?"

BTW... the first year writing teachers at universities here in the US also complain about the limited range of their students knowledge and interests... it is part of the age group...

For both groups the answer is probably more reading and less time playing computer games.

VS

[Noor]

Here's an item of interest to those encouraging youngsters to read. Granted, it's a comic book, but comics can be a gateway to other types of reading.

==============

Mad about Manga
Thursday 16 Jul, 2009

Whether you�re a fan of comic books or not, you�ll have probably heard of Manga.

From the diverse storylines and its distinct style - large eyes, cute L-shaped noses, stars, tear drops and expressive text bubbles - this popular Japanese form of illustration appeals to people of all ages across the globe.

Now a $5 billion global industry, Manga boasts a cult following in Japan, America and Europe. But since the opening of Kinokuniya bookstore at Dubai Mall last November, it appears that UAE bookworms are keen fans too - with over 50,000 Manga books sold in just eight months.

What�s more - today in Dubai, sees the launch of the only local Manga publishing house, Pageflip, which has already glued and bound its first book, �Gold Ring�.

Most publications already sold in the UAE are English translations of Japanese Manga, but �Gold Ring� is the first Manga graphic novel written in Classical Arabic.

I caught up with Emirati-born Qais Sedki, the managing director at Pageflip publishing and author of �Gold Ring�, to find out more about setting up Manga in the UAE and whether he plans to do any versions in English.

�I wanted the first edition of �Gold Ring� to be produced in Arabic to encourage young people to read books in their mother tongue,� says Sedki.

�However, I hope to release future editions in other languages - I believe through literature we can invite international audiences into our homes and build understanding of our customs, values and similarities.�

A personal love of Manga and a desire to help foster national identity among Emiratis and Arabs is what drove Sedki to set up Pageflip. He hopes books like �Gold Ring� will not only get young people reading in Classical Arabic, but thinking more about their culture rather than being led astray by the latest fad.

�Young Emiratis seem to be guided by what is �cool� these days, so my aim is to show them our local tradition can be interesting and captivating too,� says Sedki.

�I want to bolster their sense of pride by showing how interesting our various customs, such as falconry, can be, and how tradition can be a source of inspiration and motivation,� he adds.

The �Gold Ring� storyline centres around the adventures of Sultan, a 15-year-old Emirati boy, in the world of a fictional falconry sport called �Gold Ring�. Many positive themes fill the storyline - such as the importance of perseverance in hard times, the power of believing in oneself and the notion of pride in cultural and traditional heritage.

Manga is often associated with violent content and sexual innuendo, but �Gold Ring� promises not to make even the most conservative of grandmothers blush.

�Since �Gold Ring� is an original story written from the ground up, and not a translated work, we had the advantage of being able to include the most compatible content with our local values and beliefs without compromising on the visual form and engaging storyline,� says Sedki.

Having worked on internationally recognisable Manga titles such as, �Astro Boy�, what do Japanese illustrators, Akira Himekawa (the pen-name for the duo of very talented manga artists who worked on �Gold Ring�) think of the UAE version of their long established art?

�The artists were enthusiastic about the idea of working with Pageflip as it provided them with a lot of insight into the Middle East, and the UAE culture,� says Sedki.

�They were also very keen on illustrating animals such as falcons, camels, and horses, which feature strongly in the storyline.�

With �Gold Ring� being set in the UAE, the illustrators had to make adjustments so that their Manga cartoon style depicted the look and ways of local society.

�Perhaps the Arabic attire was the greatest adjustment they needed to make, but they did an excellent job depicting the traditional clothing,� says Sedki.

�We were able to strike a good balance between traditional clothing and the costumes that are common in Japanese Manga, by having some characters in full traditional garb, whereas others have a costume that has some Arabian influences.

�Other than that, the visual style of the illustrations remains true to the Japanese style,� he adds.

As �Gold Ring� is Sedki�s first Manga title as an author, he says illustrators Akira Himekawa were a great help in ensuring the story is just as appealing as Japanese Manga titles.

�I was able to learn a lot from their experience, such as how to write good cliff-hangers, and how to hold the readers� interest until the next
volume,� says Sedki.

�Their countless suggestions for changes in the plot and the reordering of events results in a fantastic read.�
*�Gold Ring� is currently available at Mohdesh World (beside the airport) but will be available in bookshops shortly.

Visit www.pageflip.ae

http://www.7days.ae/storydetails.php?id=80908&title=Mad%20about%20Manga

[johnslat]

Dear Noor,

And then there's this:

JULY 6, 2009, 11:06 AM
Holy Teamups: American, Arabic Heroes to Join Forces

By DAVE ITZKOFF
Teshkeel Media Group A cover to the Arabic comic book the 99.
As comic book crossovers go, this one may have a longer lasting impact than Superman�s face-off with Muhammad Ali. DC Comics is planning a miniseries in which some of its most recognizable characters will join forces with a team of Islamic heroes whose adventures are produced by an Arabic publisher, The Guardian reported. On its official blog, The Source, DC Comics announced that the miniseries would see its Justice League, whose lineup includes Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, cross paths with the 99, a team of heroes charged with collecting gems that contain the power and wisdom of Baghdad�s ancient Dar Al-Hikma library. The 99, whose membership includes Jabbar the Powerful and Noora the Light, was created by Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, the founder and chief executive of Teshkeel Media Group in Kuwait.

Paul Levitz, the president and publisher of DC Comics, told The Guardian: �It is a long-standing tradition for characters to meet others in the fictional world, and over the years a lot of the superheroes have been translated into Arabic, taking on ethnic elements. But this is a nice step forward. The most difficult creative test is when you are working with the least precedent and when you�re trying to reach an audience that has a different cultural bias and different interests.�

The crossover miniseries will be written by Fabian Nicieza, a longtime American comics writer who has also written for the 99. A publication date was not announced.


and this

http://www.arabdetroit.com/news.php?id=125

Regards,
John

[Tom Le Seelleur]

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/readingconnects/rp-cs.html

Read about how schools in the Uk are promoting Reading. Ideas you could try whereever you teach at whatever level. Check the link above.

Reading promotion - case studies



Primary schools
Collecting reading miles (pdf) - Kennall Vale Primary School, Cornwall, describes the impact of a scheme to motivate children to read more at home (from the family involvement toolkit)

Story sack success (pdf) - Boston Nursery School, Lincolnshire, explains its highly successful story sack club (from the family involvement toolkit)

Reading Rockets launch (pdf) - Millfield Primary School, Hertfordshire, describes the great work of their Reading Rockets group.



Secondary schools
Using web 2.0 technology (pdf) - The City of London Academy, Southwark, explains how its Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is helping to raise the school's profile of reading

'Dads and Lads, Mums and Sons' reading club (pdf) - Reading School, Berkshire, recounts how their reading club motivated pupils to read more (from the family involvement toolkit)

School library reading promotion using Dr Who (pdf) - Don Valley School and Performing Arts College, Doncaster, explains how they have used Dr Who to engage the pupils

Reading and relaxation sessions (pdf) - Lipson Community College, Plymouth, details its success in using relaxation sessions to encourage children to read for pleasure

Oswestry Reads - Oswestry Library and Shropshire County Council's city-wide reading initiative, involving schools, tourist attractions and the local newspaper