The Goat Who Wanted To Fly

Julia Johnson came to Dubai in 1975 and soon became a familiar face, reading children's books on Dubai Channel 33, and subsequently appearing on the BBC and in radio productions in the UK. Her first book, Let's Visit the United Arab Emirates, was published in 1987. Julia has subsequently written over a dozen stories, including The Pearl Diver, A Gift of the Sands and The Peacock and the Mermaid. Her book, The Leopard Boy, was lauded by former Children's Laureate and award-winning author of children's books Michael Morpurgo as a "a beautiful story, a wise and wonderfully told tale". Julia also won the Best Children's Book Award at the 2014 Sharjah International Book Fair for The Turtle Secret. Julia's stories frequently focus on the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula. She is keen to preserve and continue the oral tradition of storytelling, and to encourage an awareness of the rich and colourful heritage of the Gulf through her writing.