بدور القاسمي تكرّم الفائزين بالدورة الثامنة عشرة من الجائزة الدولية لأدب الطفل العربي – صورة مرفقة مع البيان الصحفي
During a celebration at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2026, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi honoured the winners of the 18th edition of the International Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature. This prestigious award, sponsored by Etisalat and organised by the Emirates Board on Books for Young People, saw substantial participation, garnering 475 entries from 20 different countries.
Ceremony Highlights and Attendance
The event was attended by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority; Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the Emirates Board on Books for Young People; and Saud Ibrahim Saleh, Vice President of Government Sales at Etisalat, among other cultural figures and representatives from publishing institutions. The jury members for this edition were also present, alongside numerous authors, illustrators, publishers, and media professionals, along with distinguished guests at the book fair.
Award Categories and Winners
Her Highness presented the awards across five categories: Early Childhood, Picture Book, Chapter Book, Young Adult, and Non-Fiction. In the category of Early Childhood, “Shapes of Imagination,” authored by Nasser Al-Dosari (Mr. Noon) with illustrations by Maya Majdalani, published by Zingo Ringo (Switzerland), won the award. The Picture Book category was awarded to “Fahman,” authored by Masrah Touqan and illustrated by Maya Majdalani, published by Kalila Wa Dimna (Jordan).
The Chapter Book award went to “Unconstrained Minds,” conceived by Lina Abu Shaaban, authored by Sherin Sbanekh with illustrations by Shurooq Idris, Amani Al-Baba, Abdullah Al-Qawariq, Naim Ajjooli, and Diyaa Zada, published by Jabal Amman Publishers (Jordan). The Young Adult category was won by “The Boy Who Lost His Dream,” authored and illustrated by Rima Sha’al, published by Ru’ya Publishing and Distribution (Turkey). Lastly, the Non-Fiction award was given for “A Walk with Arab and Muslim Scholars,” authored by Mohannad Al-Aqqos with illustrations by Omar Lafi, published by Noon Books: Nahed Al-Shawa Cultural Foundation (Canada).
Recognition for the Jury Members
Her Highness also recognised the jury members for their expertise and efforts in evaluating the submissions and selecting the winners: Dr. Hanada Tah, an expert in Arabic language education; Dr. Rania Al-Dajani, founder of the “We Love Reading” program; Lebanese children’s book illustrator Maya Fadawi; UAE author Nadia Najjar; and British children’s literature expert Pam Dicks. This appreciation was a nod to their role in highlighting exceptional experiences and establishing standards for literary and artistic quality in children’s and young adult literature.
Success and Impact of the Prize
During the ceremony, Marwa Al Aqroubi expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and praised the vision of Sheikha Bodour, which initiated and sustained the award. “We take pride in how the prize has cemented the importance of children’s books as complete creative works, deserving of meticulous attention, from concept and text to illustrations and production,” she remarked.
Al Aqroubi added, “The growth in the number of participating publishers presents a significant opportunity to diversify outputs and create space for new experiences. We aspire to associate increased participation with wider reader access, by promoting exceptional works, encouraging interest in publishing rights and translations, and enhancing their presence in schools and libraries.”
Etisalat’s Commitment to Literary Culture
Saud Ibrahim Saleh noted the importance of the award celebration during the Sharjah International Book Fair, underscoring the direct engagement it facilitates between books and readers, as well as creators and partners in the publishing sector. “Our sponsorship of both the fair and the award supports a comprehensive pathway that celebrates exceptional works and grants them visibility to a wide audience,” he stated.
“Supporting culture represents part of our social responsibility. As we operate in a fast-paced sector where technologies evolve and methods of accessing information change, we acknowledge the value of reading in fostering understanding, discernment, and independent thinking. We particularly focus on children’s literature, as future generations adept at using tomorrow’s tools also need to understand their choices, have the courage to innovate, and possess the language to articulate their aspirations.”
Winning Titles and Their Themes
“Shapes of Imagination,” the winner in the Early Childhood category, offers an interactive experience allowing children to discover basic geometric shapes and imagine their transformations into houses, trees, and animals, blending learning with play and creativity.
The Picture Book winner, “Fahman,” takes children on a whimsical visual adventure where a red lens reveals hidden details in illustrations, encouraging questions and simplified scientific explanations.
“Unconstrained Minds” gathers stories of five children from Gaza who face challenging circumstances with knowledge and innovation, using scrap materials to bring light, warmth, and connection to those around them.
“The Boy Who Lost His Dream” unfolds in late 19th-century Damascus, chronicling Khalid’s journey as he grapples with family constraints on his ambitions, ultimately leading to unexpected experiences that challenge his dreams.
The Non-Fiction prize went to “A Walk with Arab and Muslim Scholars,” which introduces readers to the contributions of Arab and Muslim scientists across various fields, celebrating their legacies and the impact of their knowledge on humanity.
Growth in Participation and Future Plans
The 18th edition noted a significant rise in participation, with 475 entries from 20 countries presented by 148 publishers, including 324 authors and 231 illustrators. Nominations increased by approximately 17% compared to the previous edition, with the number of participating publishers rising by 28% and authors by 16%. A total of 434 entries met the award criteria, leading to a shortlist of 25 books from 17 publishing houses across eight nations.
The UAE topped the submissions by country for the second consecutive year with 149 books, followed by Egypt with 115, Jordan with 52, Saudi Arabia with 43, and Lebanon with 27. Notably, entries from Syrian publishers grew from three to 11, alongside participation from non-Arabic publishers like Canada with 15 entries, Turkey with nine, and Switzerland with eight.
The next edition will introduce a new category as part of the rotating focus of the award, aimed at broadening the scope of genres eligible for recognition. This year, the Non-Fiction category gathered 27 submissions, further highlighting the diversity of literature available to young readers.
Since its inception in 2009, the prize continues to foster the development of Arabic content that combines enjoyment with literary and artistic value. The celebration of the winners at the Sharjah International Book Fair offers a platform to present their works to audiences and specialists, facilitating partnerships that encourage the spread of these titles and their translation into other languages.