The United Arab Emirates has made significant strides in the global children’s literature scene, showcased through its participation in the 40th International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) World Congress held in Ottawa, Canada. Under the theme “Listening to Each Other’s Voices,” the event brought together a diverse group of authors, illustrators, publishers, researchers, and specialists in children’s and young adult literature, providing a platform for rich discussions on the influence of books in children’s lives, mental health, technology, and the accessibility of specialised knowledge in Arabic.
Emirati Literature Recognised
The UAE’s impactful presence was further highlighted by the selection of three Emirati works for the IBBY Honour List for 2026. Notable among these is “بيت الحكمة” (The House of Wisdom) by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chosen in the writing category. The book, published by Kalimat Group and illustrated by Majed Zakkari, transports readers to Baghdad during the Golden Age of Islamic civilisation, reinforcing the importance of preserving knowledge and memory for future generations.
In the illustrations category, “أغلى ما في الوجود” (The Most Precious Thing) by artist Hassan Manasrah, with text by Dalia Tunsi and published by Dar Ashjar, received recognition, while “آدم” (Adam) by Samer Mahfouz Braj, a translation of a work by Audra Baranouskait, was acknowledged in the translation category. The Honour List for this year features a total of 191 works in 52 languages from 59 countries, marking the largest listing since the programme’s inception over seventy years ago.
Enhancing Communication through Literature
Maroof Al-Aqrubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, discussed the “Once Upon a Time” initiative during the conference. This initiative, launched by the council, aims to bridge communication and recovery through books, catering to children affected by war, displacement, and dire circumstances. Al-Aqrubi highlighted the journey of the initiative over the past decade, which has evolved from a single library in a UAE-Jordanian camp to a network of libraries and projects spanning over ten countries, facilitating therapeutic reading and access to silent books.
Innovative Approaches to Mental Health and Storytelling
In a related presentation, Dr Ghada Al Marshudy from the UAE University addressed the integration of artificial intelligence in narrative forms to enhance mental health awareness among students. Her talk, titled “Digitising Narratives with Artificial Intelligence: AI-assisted Digital Storytelling to Enhance Mental Wellness Awareness Among Students in the UAE,” focused on the potential of this medium to cultivate empathy, listening skills, and mental health awareness. The initiative encourages students to create short illustrated stories about stress and coping mechanisms, utilising AI tools for their creative process.
Al Marshudy also brought attention to the ethical challenges associated with using AI in children’s storytelling, including participant protection, intellectual property rights, and the risks of over-reliance on technology.
New Collaboration with Bookbird
On the sidelines of the conference, the UAE Board on Books for Young People announced its collaboration with Bookbird, the academic journal published by the International Board on Books for Young People. This partnership aims to translate and publish select articles in Arabic, broadening access to international research and knowledge for researchers, professionals, authors, publishers, and enthusiasts of children’s and young adult literature in the Arab world.
Maroof Al-Aqrubi commented, “This collaboration represents a step towards making specialised knowledge more accessible to the Arabic reader, connecting professionals in children’s literature in our region to an ever-evolving global discourse. Language should not be a barrier to accessing research and knowledge; translating this content allows ideas to transcend borders, reaching new audiences who can benefit and apply them to enhance the tools for writing, illustrating, and publishing books.”