Meet the author
Dr Michele Ziolkowski has a background in art, design, photography and archaeology. She attained a Doctoral degree from the University of Sydney, Australia, in Near Eastern Archaeology in 2002. Michele first visited the U.A.E. in 1993 as an undergraduate student to work on an archaeological excavation. Many field seasons followed, working in the Emirates of Sharjah, Dubai, Fujairah, and in the Sultanate of Oman. Michele has experience teaching at university level and presenting papers at international conferences.
Michele has authored and edited numerous academic publications on the archaeology, history and heritage of the Emirates, and is the author of the children’s book The Boy who knew the Mountains. Michele has also received grants and awards for her work including the Sheikh Mubarak bin Mohammed al-Nahyan award (Emirates Natural History Group) in 2006 and a Sharjah Book Award for the best children’s book (English) in 2017. Suhail’s Abu Dhabi Adventure, sequel to The Boy who knew the Mountains is due to be published in 2019. Married to an Emirati, Michele and her husband have a son, Suhail. They currently live in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Michele has authored and edited numerous academic publications on the archaeology, history and heritage of the Emirates, and is the author of the children’s book The Boy who knew the Mountains. Michele has also received grants and awards for her work including the Sheikh Mubarak bin Mohammed al-Nahyan award (Emirates Natural History Group) in 2006 and a Sharjah Book Award for the best children’s book (English) in 2017. Suhail’s Abu Dhabi Adventure, sequel to The Boy who knew the Mountains is due to be published in 2019. Married to an Emirati, Michele and her husband have a son, Suhail. They currently live in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The story behind the story...
I studied archaeology and art at university. Art has always played a significant role in my life. I think all of us look to our strengths when trying to find a way to help make this world better for our children. For me, writing a children’s book based on Suhail and his autistic traits was not only a creative endeavour but also a way that I could try and reach a wider audience with a fundamental message of acceptance.
‘The Boy who knew the Mountains’ provides the perfect vehicle to reach a young audience, and to create a positive shift in attitude within our community. The book highlights autism and focuses more on the abilities of an individual with autism rather than the challenges. The book aims to affect the way society perceives individuals with autism and other special needs. Our children with autism will grow up to be adults with autism, we need an understanding and accepting society to pave the way for their futures.
‘The Boy who knew the Mountains’ provides the perfect vehicle to reach a young audience, and to create a positive shift in attitude within our community. The book highlights autism and focuses more on the abilities of an individual with autism rather than the challenges. The book aims to affect the way society perceives individuals with autism and other special needs. Our children with autism will grow up to be adults with autism, we need an understanding and accepting society to pave the way for their futures.