A young Bahraini author has released her debut book, inspired by the time she spent with her late father at Durrat Al Bahrain. 
Fatima Jamsheer from Riffa wrote Sparkle in the Ocean during one of her summer breaks. The story takes place deep in the ocean and follows a unique fish named Sparkle, who has seven glowing orbs. At first, she feels different and unsure of herself, but through her journey, she learns confidence, kindness and self-acceptance. In the end, she realises that being different is her greatest strength.
The 54-page creation was published by Austin Macauley Publishers in January this year and is available across 15 international platforms, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
“I used to spend around one or two hours a day writing,” the 12-year-old, who attends Bahrain Bayan School, told GulfWeekly.
“One of the challenges was organising my ideas and making the story flow smoothly, but I truly enjoyed bringing the character of Sparkle alive.
“My father and I used to go to the sea together in Durrat Al Bahrain, as he always loved taking me there. One day while we were swimming, he was showing me the different fish in the water, and that moment sparked my imagination. I started thinking about creating a story about sea creatures. When I shared the idea with my parents, they both encouraged me a lot,” added the adolescent, who has plans to write her next book in Arabic.
She wants to share her stories and messages with more readers in her mother tongue. 
Named after the ‘most perfect pearl’ in the Arabian Gulf, Durrat Al Bahrain is the third largest artificial island in the kingdom after Northern City and Diyar Al Muharraq Islands. It lies 40.5 km south of the capital, Manama. 
Surrounded by a thriving marine and coastal ecosystem, Durrat Al Bahrain is home to dolphins, sea turtles and over 30 species of sharks. The nearby Hidd Al Jamal coastline and man-made islands support nesting grounds for birds like flamingos, white-cheeked terns, and Socotra cormorants.
In her free time, Fatima enjoys reading. A fan of JK Rowling and the Harry Potter series, the wordsmith is drawn to the adventure and fantasy genres. The high achiever has received many academic honours, including her school’s prestigious director’s award. Most recently, she bagged second place at her school’s science fair and aspires to become an architect and interior designer.
“I am incredibly proud of Fatima and her passion for writing at such a young age. Her deceased father and I always encouraged her to pursue her dream of becoming an author. He had seen the early drafts and was eager to see the book published. This project reflects her creativity and resilience, and I know he would have been very proud of her,” remarked Fatima’s mother and homemaker Aida Alqassimi.
Fatima’s father Abdulrahman Jamsheer was a respected Shura Council member and politician, as well as a businessman. He passed away two years ago, following a sudden health complication. Fatima was extremely close to her father, and as the youngest and most adored child in the family, she shared a uniquely special bond with him. Despite her loss, she completed what her father had always hoped for, highlighting her family as a source of motivation.
“My role model is my family because they never give up and always keep trying. My teachers at school have also been a great source of inspiration. They always encourage my creativity, support my ideas, and motivate me to keep improving my writing,” she added.
An excerpt from Sparkle in the Ocean reads:
‘Deep in the Pacific Ocean, magical creatures live in harmony, each with their own special gifts. Among them was a special little fish named Sparkle, who was different from the others.’