Sharjah 24:
The International Prize for Arab Children’s Literature, presented by Etisalat and organised by the UAE Board on Books for Young People, unveiled its shortlist for the eighteenth edition during a press conference held in Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Hall at the National Archives and Library in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The shortlist features 25 books, five from each category, published by 17 publishing houses from eight countries, contributed to by 23 authors and 26 illustrators.
The event was attended by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Archives and Library, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, and Saud Ibrahim Saleh, Vice President – Government Sales in Dubai and the Northern Emirates at Etisalat, alongside prominent figures from the cultural sector, media representatives, and key stakeholders in the book industry, including a select group of authors, illustrators, and publishers.
Record Participation and Growth in the Publishing Sector
This edition of the prize received 475 submissions from 20 countries, presented by 148 publishers, with the participation of 324 authors and 231 illustrators, marking approximately a 17% increase in nominations compared to the previous edition. The number of participating publishers grew by 28%, while the number of authors increased by 16%. Out of these submissions, 434 met the award’s criteria, leading to the selection of the shortlisted works, while 41 entries were disqualified for not meeting the criteria. The geographic diversity of participating creators included authors from 29 countries and illustrators from 33 countries.
For the second consecutive year, the UAE led in submissions by country, increasing from 111 books in the previous edition to 149 books, reflecting a growth of nearly 34%. Following the UAE were Egypt with 115 books, Jordan with 52, Saudi Arabia with 43, and Lebanon with 27 books. Notably, the number of submissions from Syrian publishers surged from three to 11, indicating an expanded presence compared to the last edition.
In terms of categories, the “Picture Book” category topped the submissions with 184 entries, followed by “Early Childhood” with 112 entries, “Young Adult” with 85, “Chapter Books” with 67, and “Non-Fiction” with 27. This year, the prize continued to include a special category for non-fiction books, supporting publications that offer knowledge to children and young adults through engaging and informative approaches that cater to their curiosity.
Commitment to Literature and Reading
During the press conference, Dr. Abdullah Majid Al Ali remarked, “When the National Archives and Library was established in 1968 at the direction of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, his vision established a national responsibility passed down through generations: to preserve our history, understand our roots, and make knowledge a foundation for building our future. In line with this path, our wise leadership continues its commitment to literature and reading, supporting institutions and initiatives that make knowledge accessible to everyone, particularly children and young adults, who shall carry this responsibility forward and contribute to the nation’s legacy through their knowledge and creativity.”
He further added, “We see children’s literature as a cultural responsibility that deserves attention and investment. A book that respects the intelligence of its young reader helps them form opinions, accept differences, and express their thoughts with confidence. The more diverse and high-quality the books available to them, the greater their opportunity to discover their interests and develop their abilities. Here, the value of literary awards shines, as they recognise outstanding experiences, encourage their development, and introduce the community to the effort and expertise required to produce a good book.”
Opportunities for Development in Children’s Literature
Marwa Al Aqroubi also shared her thoughts, stating, “From Sharjah, the award was launched under the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the founder and honorary president of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, believing that Arab children deserve books that care for their language and imagination and provide them with a reading experience that rivals the best children’s publications worldwide. The increase in participation we witness today offers us an opportunity to build on this vision, read the trends in the children’s book industry, and encourage investment in original content that meets the needs of new generations. Our ambition is for the prize’s impact to extend to richer, higher-quality, and diverse reading options, reaching children in their homes, schools, and libraries.
She continued, “We are proud that the UAE has topped submissions for the second year in a row, given the supportive environment for publishing it provides, along with initiatives and programmes that enable publishers to develop their works and offer Emirati youth interested in this sector opportunities to turn their passion for books into professional projects. We are also pleased with the renewed presence from Syria with increasing submissions and take pride in the continued involvement from Lebanon despite challenges. We pay special attention to non-fiction books because children need resources that help them understand the world in an accurate and enjoyable language, and we look forward to greater investment in this area that places books in their hands that enhance their knowledge and inquisitive nature.”
Etisalat’s Continued Commitment to Knowledge
Saud Ibrahim Saleh stated, “The announcement of the shortlist coincides with our group’s celebration of 50 years since its establishment, alongside the UAE’s progress, which we have contributed to by bridging distances and enhancing communication among people. On this occasion, we take pride in our partnership with the award from its inception, as it reflects our belief that investment in the knowledge of new generations deserves continuous commitment. Books enable children to discover the experiences of others, learn how to ask, think, express themselves, and provide them with the tools they need to grow confidently and engage with their communities.”
He added, “Today we celebrate the efforts that precede a book reaching its reader, from the ideas nurtured by an author, the characters illustrated by an artist, to the care a publisher provides to bring it to light. We hope that the award contributes to expanding the visibility of these experiences and encouraging their creators to continue innovating, ensuring that every child finds a book that feels personally written for them, providing a reason to return to reading. This is an impact we are proud to contribute to and carry with us as we look forward to the coming years.”
Shortlisted Works Across Categories
The shortlist for the “Early Childhood” category (birth to five years) includes five titles: “Shapes of Imagination” by Nasser Al-Dosari (Sayed Noon), illustrated by Maya Majdalani, published by Zingo Ringo Publishing (Switzerland); “A Mouse in the Kitchen” by Alaa Mohammed Aref, illustrated by Aboud Ahmed, published by Arjouha Publishing (UAE); “A Story from Mama and Yahya” by Mena Allah Jalal, illustrated by Badran Kazrouni, published by Kalila wa Dimna Publishing and Distribution (Jordan); “The Cat Walked and Walked” by Nisba Al-Izbi, illustrated by Lina Naddaf, published by Kalila wa Dimna Publishing and Distribution (Jordan); and “Who Passed Here?” by Yamam Khirsh, illustrated by Noha Jamal, published by Dal Publishing and Distribution (UAE).
In the “Picture Book” category (ages five to nine), the shortlist includes: “The Orange” by Walid Taher, published by Nahdet Misr Publishing (Egypt); “The Dear Cows” by Nahed Mohammed Al-Shawa, illustrated by Abd Al-Aal Ahmed, published by Noon Books: Nihad Al-Shawa Cultural Foundation (Canada); “The Cloud That Lived in Our House” by Aisha Rashid Al-Manaei, illustrated by Maryam Mahmoud Muqadam, published by Ajeel Publishing (UAE); “Fahman” by Masrah Toukan, illustrated by Maya Majdalani, published by Kalila wa Dimna Publishing and Distribution (Jordan); and “Chaos” by Ali Al-Sabaan, illustrated by Hala Tarek, published by Red Fox Library (Oman).
For the “Chapter Book” category (ages nine to twelve), the shortlist includes: “Abu Al Areef” by Nasma Sherif, illustrated by Mariam Lashin, published by Al Aaliya Publishing and Distribution (Egypt); “Ginger the Twelfth” by Amal Nasser, illustrated by Naeem Ajjoli, published by Kiwi Stories Publishing (UAE); “The Boy Named Azouz” by Tamara Qashha, illustrated by Amani Youssef, published by Al-Yasmin Publishing (Jordan); “A Very Crazy Summer” by Basant Ibrahim, illustrated by Suhaila Khalid, published by Dar Al-Shorouk (Egypt); and “Uncaged Minds” by Lina Abu Shaaban (concept) and Shirin Sbanek (text), illustrated by Shurooq Idris, Amani Al-Baba, Abdullah Al-Qawariq, Naeem Ajjoli, and Diyala Zadah, published by Jabal Amman Publishers (Jordan).
In the “Young Adult” category (ages thirteen to eighteen), the shortlist includes: “Alexandrian” by Yamam Khirsh, illustrated by Hagar Al-Shahat, published by Al Mustaqbal for E-Learning and Publishing (Egypt); “Jalnar and the Firebird” by Huda Al-Shawa, illustrated by Diyala Zadah, published by Red Fox Library (Oman); “Lulua’s Summer” by Anas Abu Rahma, illustrated by Lubna Taha, published by Dinosaur Publishing (Palestine); “The Boy Who Lost His Dream” by Reema Al-Shalal, both written and illustrated by Reema Al-Shalal, published by Ru’ya Publishing and Distribution (Turkey); and “The Absurd Planet” by Maria Daaldouh, illustrated by Hani Mahfouz, published by Jabal Amman Publishers (Jordan).
The shortlist for the “Non-Fiction” category (for ages up to eighteen) includes: “Ask Me Anything – Animals” by Basma Al-Khatri, illustrated by Shurooq Al-Tanani, published by Arjouha Publishing (UAE); “The Amusing Characters Who Became Proverbial” by Muhannad Al-Aqous, illustrated by Masouma Haji, published by Alif Ba Ta Publishers (Jordan); “According to the Proverb” by Dana Al-Husseini, illustrated by Hiba Walid Yaseen, published by Zingo Ringo Publishing (Switzerland); “Collections” by Masrah Toukan, illustrated by Haya Halaw, published by Kalila wa Dimna Publishing and Distribution (Jordan); and “A Stroll with the Scholars of the Arabs and Muslims” by Muhannad Al-Aqous, illustrated by Omar Lafi, published by Noon Books: Nihad Al-Shawa Cultural Foundation (Canada).
The judging committee evaluated the works based on the integration of the book’s elements, including the originality of the idea, quality of the text and illustrations, language accuracy, print quality, content suitability for the age group, and ability to provide an enjoyable and impactful reading experience. The winners will be announced and honoured during the Sharjah International Book Fair on November 4, 2026, recognising their contributions to enhancing arab children’s literature and enriching the reading choices available to new generations.