Hanan Marhoon is an accomplished academic and a loving mother of two with a passion for children’s literature. She tells Farah Baig about the establishment of Chapters by Hanan, a book club which she hopes will nurture a love for reading among Bahrain’s children.
Although her academic background lies in Business Studies and Finance, Hanan’s passion for reading and books has always been a significant part of her life. As a mother, she values education and creativity, fostering these in her own children through her love for books which was instilled in her by her own mother.
“As a full-time mum to two wonderful girls, aged eight and five, I’ve had the privilege of investing my time in their development, both socially and academically. Through extensive reading of articles and studies, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of child psychology, which has not only benefited my own children but has also equipped me to effectively engage with other children,” says Hanan.
Her academic journey began with a Crown Prince Programme scholarship for her high school studies, followed by a degree in Business Studies from Bangor University, UK. She spent seven transformative years in Paris which greatly shaped her global perspective. Hanan’s international experience has honed her adaptability and resilience both in her personal and professional life.
Now, Hanan is a proud advocate for children’s literature, emphasising its role in inspiring and educating young minds. “While my career path may not have initially been in education, my dedication to nurturing young minds has become a fulfilling aspect of my life journey,” she says.
The book club, Chapters by Hanan, caters to children ages eight and older so they are developmentally ready to engage with the material. The groups convene at bookstores across the Kingdom that have been supportive of the initiative including Sophia Bookstore in Muharraq – Chapters by Hanan’s first home, NEO Bookstore in Riffa, Jarir Bookstore in Seef Area and Isa Cultural Centre’s Children’s Library.
When asked what the inspiration was behind starting the club, she joyfully states that it stemmed from observing her eldest daughter Al Joory develop a genuine passion for reading. “Witnessing her enthusiasm in exchanging books with her school friends sparked an idea to nurture this habit further. I suggested starting a small book club to foster her circle of friends and encourage their shared love for reading. From that simple suggestion, Chapters by Hanan organically grew into a thriving community,” she says.
“My ultimate goal is to instill a lifelong love for reading and learning in children. By fostering a supportive community centred around books, I aim to cultivate critical thinking skills, broaden vocabulary and encourage creativity and imagination. Ultimately, I aspire to empower young readers with the tools they need to navigate the world around them with confidence and curiosity,” she adds.
Since its inception, Chapters by Hanan has done just that having welcomed a total of 130 children into its fold. Each group typically consists of eight to 10 members, ensuring an intimate and engaging environment for discussion and activities.
For flexibility and to accommodate as many young readers as possible, the group offer various sessions throughout the week with each member having four sessions per month with each session lasting an hour and 15 minutes. This aligns with the needed for each young reader to delve into the selected chapter books.
“To support their reading journey and ensure the completion of the book by the end of the month, each participant receives a book map and a structured plan aiding them in tracking their progress throughout the weeks,” she explains.
“During our sessions, we not only discuss the book’s content but also delve into practical skills, such as utilising dictionaries effectively. Additionally, we engage in various activities tailored to each book, sourced from our dedicated activity book, featuring word searches, puzzles and crosswords. Furthermore, we take the opportunity to explore and understand the inner workings of bookstores, enriching our understanding of the literary world,” she adds.
Children who are interested in joining the book club can easily do so by accessing the registration link provided on Hanan’s Instagram account. The registration form includes basic questions designed to gauge the child’s readiness to participate in the club.
“Proficiency in English reading is a primary criterion for acceptance, as the selected books range from medium to hard difficulty levels. This ensures that participants can grasp a broader vocabulary and comprehend plot intricacies with the characters involved,” she states.
Hanan is keen on fostering a sense of community within Chapters by Hanan, encouraging parents to register siblings, friends, or cousins together. “By maintaining connections among peers, the shared experience of the book club becomes a consistent and mutually reinforcing habit, especially when they interact outside of our sessions,” she says. “As for the future, I envision expanding our reach and impact. Ideally, I hope to find a like-minded team who shares our values and can replicate the enriching experience we offer to even more children.”
“I’d like to thank my partner Ali for supporting me through this journey. I’d also like to make a special mention of the bookstores which have not only proved to be immersive venues for the children but have never asked for a monetary exchange since they all believed in the idea and encouraged it!” she concludes.
Those interested in joining the book club can reach out to Hanan through Instagram with the handle @chaptersbyhanan or by emailing chaptersbyhanan@gmail.com.
