Wanna Read?, a non-profit organization based in the UAE, donated a book cart filled with English and Arabic books to Children’s National. As a way to show appreciation for the donation and honor the new partnership, Children’s National co-hosted a special event for children with Wanna Read? on December 19, 2016. Wanna Read? local representative, Amira El-Gawly, led a book-reading of The Lost Princess and a Q&A session at Seacrest Studios, followed by dress-up playtime in the Main Atrium with the children. The organization, founded by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, was initiated to encourage reading and foster well-being by building reading rooms in children’s hospitals. This event was the first international event hosted by Wanna Read?.
Amira El-Gawly poses with Dr. Suaad Zayed Al-Oraimi, of the UAE Embassy, Lyn Ingersoll, Children’s National Family Librarian, and the Children's National kids who participated in the event.