Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Press has published children’s book Ghosoun and Her Brother the Gazelle by the local Qatari author Dr Kaltham Ali al-Ghanim, associate professor of sociology at Qatar University. The book is a classic story, which has a way of transcending time and place, and possesses the ability to touch the lives of generations. The year was 1989 when she first heard the story from a wizened, 80-year-old woman which stuck with her for over 25 years. “The woman who told me the story knew a lot of traditional, Qatari folkloric tales and was a master storyteller,” said Dr al-Ghanim. “She had a special way of bringing a story alive and this particular story stuck with me. I was attracted to the special relationship between a girl and her brother, and their relationship with a dog. Years later, when I started writing for children, I remembered this tale, and knew I wanted to share it with kids in a captivating manner so that it would stick with them as it had with me after all of these years.” The tale depicts a brother and sister who live with their parents in peace and harmony, along with their loyal dog, Salfa. But with the sudden death of their mother, the children’s father marries another woman who quickly conspires with an evil crow to be rid of the children and faithful Salfa. The children embark on a mysterious journey, away from their home, fraught with hardships, deceit, and magical enchantment, in the hope of someday living, once again, happily ever after. – QNA