Stories as a gateway to children’s hidden talents

Moderated by journalist Hala Harb, the session titled Determining Children’s Hidden Talents Through Reading featured Hannah Lee, Dr Amani Al-Najem, Dr Lina Al-Dasouqi, and Muthoni Garland. Together, they examined how books play an irreplaceable role in shaping young minds—not just by entertaining them, but by awakening their inner voice and unlocking creativity, confidence, and critical thinking. 

“Reading helped me discover my own path,” said Harb. “It’s why this topic is close to my heart.” 

Dr Amani Al-Najem, an expert in early learning and a celebrated author, reminded the audience of Albert Einstein’s famous words: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.” She stressed that stories, particularly when read together and made tactile, build intimacy between children and books. 

Hannah Lee, author of The Rapping Princess and My Hair, shared her experience of how storytelling can unearth talents unexpectedly. “In one school, a child began beatboxing after reading my book. Another wanted to battle rap. These talents were hidden until a story gave them permission to emerge,” she recalled. 

Dr Lina Al-Dasouqi, whose books address inclusion and neurodiversity, spoke about using literature to foster empathy. “Books help children build emotional awareness and understand that being different isn’t wrong. I’ve written stories about children with autism and Down syndrome—not as illnesses, but as part of the human fabric,” she explained. 

The conversation also delved into how a child’s choice of genre can hint at their future passions. “A child who prefers science fiction might one day innovate,” said Muthoni Garland, Kenyan writer, editor, and co-founder of Storymoja Publishing. “Our reading preferences often mirror the worlds we want to live in or change. Books let us rehearse reality.” 

Garland gave a vivid example from her own work: a musical adaptation of her marine conservation story staged in landlocked Nairobi sparked unexpected curiosity. “Children who’ve never seen the sea wanted to know everything about octopuses. That’s the power of narrative.” 

The panel agreed that representation matters. Hannah Lee recalled a moment when a young reader asked her to “just write about me”. Children, she said, need to see themselves in books—not only to feel seen but to believe that their everyday lives are worth narrating. “They don’t always want the fantastical. Sometimes, they just want their own story told.” 

On the subject of fear, both Lee and Garland asserted that children are not only capable of processing dark or scary themes—they crave them. “Stories about fear give children the opportunity to explore danger from a place of safety,” Garland noted. 

The session ended on a call to action for parents, educators, and publishers alike to trust the stories that resonate with children and allow them the freedom to explore different genres, emotions, and identities.