Meet the Team
Margaretha Potgieter
Author
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa but now residing in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Paul Coward
Author
Taught in Abu Dhabi for five years and has now returned to teaching in the UK
I have worked in education and teaching, around the globe, for over fifteen years and have always believed that the fundamental skill, underpinning all areas of the curriculum, is reading: from reading mathematical questions to communicating scientific conclusions, to the analysis of written texts - it is impossibly important. But more than that, it is one of life’s luxuries, enabling us to visit a world or worlds and situations that let us escape or reflect upon our own reality. Combining the magical and the learning aspects, with a levelled reading scheme, allows the reader to access both at the same time.
Using our knowledge of phonics, knowledge of high frequency words, and knowledge of the Emirati children's culture and interests, we created the Shifting Sands Series reading scheme. Its sole purpose is to reinforce my deeply ingrained passion: to enable children across the emirates to access fun stories and to aid them on their learning quest through reading.
Seryoga Obeid
Illustrator
Palestinian from Beirut, Lebanon and now residing in Germany
Since childhood my drawings captured the attention of my peers and I developed a passion for drawing storyboards. I studied drawing and graphic design in several art institutes including the Russian Cultural Institute, the National School of Art and attended several online courses. I have done digital drawing, animation and motion graphics and also several wall murals. Doing illustrations for the Shifting Sands Series was a challenge I gladly accepted and thoroughly enjoyed.
Marty Harling-Coward
Book design and brand
Resides in the UK
My passion for reading started at a young age when my mum would read stories to me at bedtime. Once I was able to read by myself I would spend long nights hiding under the covers of my bed with a torch, reading whilst listening for the telltale signs that my mum or dad were heading towards my room. Getting lost in the pages of a book is my idea of a great time. Once I became a teacher I understood how the magic happens and I was able to equip the children in my class with the tools they needed to become fluent readers. Some needed more tools or more time, but in the end, they all reached their destination.
I have been a teacher for almost 20 years and 14 of those years have been spent here in Abu Dhabi, my second home. I soon realised that there is a need for books containing stories about the UAE, stories the children can relate to and get excited about because they are familiar with the places and the people. That was when Shifting Sands was born - on a teacher’s bus on the way to school - it has been a very long road with lots of twists and turns, but at last, we are so proud and excited to invite you and your child to start the learning journey with us.
Happy reading!
When Margie and Paul came to me with their idea of an innovative reading scheme, designed purely for an Emirati reading experience, I jumped at the chance of helping them to shape the identity. Just like the UAE I wanted the series to reflect a progressive and contemporary personality and yet retain a traditional spirit. Every book in the series carries our camel emblazoned logo; every page carries a sandy tone, and every illustration and scenario carries a culture - this way we believe we're giving every child the best possible chance to learn English in a way that's best for them.