Emirati author, legal professional, and mother of two, Salha Alhalyan, returned to the world of children’s literature with a renewed purpose of helping young readers and their families navigate sensitive emotional and social topics through creative storytelling.
Holding a Master’s degree in International Business Law and working in the financial sector in Abu Dhabi, Salha Alhalyan has balanced a demanding professional path with a lasting passion for writing stories for children. Salha Alhalyan work focusses on creating gentle, meaningful narratives that help young minds better understand the world around them.
Connector spoke to the Emirati author about her thoughtful children’s stories, which help families discuss emotions and difficult moments.
Salha Alhalyan's first children’s book, ‘The Suspicious Stranger,’ was published in 2013. Soon after, she stepped away from publishing to focus on her academic studies and professional career. Even during that period, however, storytelling remained close to her heart.
“My journey as a writer began with a deep belief that stories can help children understand the world around them. I published my first children’s story, ‘The Suspicious Stranger’, in 2013. At that time, I was passionate about using storytelling as a way to speak to children about topics that are sometimes difficult to address directly. After publishing my first book, I paused my publishing journey to focus on my academic studies and professional career. During those years, I continued developing stories and ideas that I hoped to share with young readers someday. Today, I am returning to publishing with a new collection of stories that are currently with a publishing house and expected to be released soon.”
Among the titles she has written are ‘Superheroes in Room 7’, ‘Sally Little Cloud’, ‘Boba and the Big Push’, ‘Tutu the Lazy Cat’, and ‘The Crimson Book of Zayed’.
Salha Alhalyan says her focus on children’s literature comes from a desire to give young readers the emotional language they often do not yet have.
“Children often experience emotions and situations that they do not yet have the words to describe. Stories can help bridge that gap by presenting feelings and experiences in a way that is understandable and comforting.”
As a mother, Salha Alhalyan has seen first-hand how stories can open the door to reassurance, empathy, and conversation. That perspective recently inspired her to release a free digital children’s story titled ‘When the Sky Said Boom’.
The story is written and independently published to address the current situation in the UAE, where children are exposed to unfamiliar sounds and conversations. Rather than addressing politics or conflicts directly, the story focusses on helping parents comfort their children and explain unsettling moments in a calm, age-appropriate way.
“The inspiration came from a very simple place: motherhood. During recent regional developments, many children began hearing unfamiliar sounds and conversations that they did not fully understand. As adults, we can process these events, but for children, they can be confusing and frightening.”
This led to the creation of ‘When the Sky Said Boom’, a story aimed primarily at children between the ages of 4 and 8.
Salha explained that when writing for young children, the goal is not to overwhelm them with detail, but to meet them where they are emotionally.
“When writing for children, the most important approach is to focus on emotions rather than complex explanations. Children do not need complicated details. They need clarity, reassurance, and the feeling that the adults around them are protecting them.”
Instead of attempting to explain difficult geopolitical realities, the story centres on a child hearing a loud sound and wondering what it means. The narrative then shifts gently toward reassurance, reminding children that they are safe and that there are people working every day to protect them.
For Salha Alhalyan, that balance between emotional education and age-appropriate storytelling is central to her work. She hopes her stories can become tools for parents, helping them begin meaningful conversations with their children in ways that feel safe, warm, and accessible.
“The goal is not to teach children about conflict, but rather to nurture empathy, reassurance, and trust.”
Through her writing, Salha Alhalyan hopes to continue supporting families while expanding her contribution to Arabic children’s literature with stories that are both thoughtful and timely.
Reflecting on the purpose behind her work, she said, “If my stories can help even one child feel calmer and help one parent start a meaningful conversation with their child, then the story has fulfilled its purpose.”