Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature reveals shortlist

The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) announced the shortlist during a press conference, on Tuesday, at the House of Wisdom, Sharjah.

The final list of winners of the AED 1.2 million award, organised by UAEBBY and sponsored by the Etisalat Group e&, will be announced at a ceremony held during the 41st Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which takes place from November 2-13 at Expo Centre Sharjah. 

During the press conference, held in the presence of HE. Abdulaziz Taryam, CEO, Advisor and General Manager of Etisalat e&- Northern Emirates, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said the 14th edition of the award received 276 submissions from 20 countries comprising 179 authors, 171 illustrators and 79 publishers.

The UAEBBY President noted that the UAE topped the list with 96 submissions, followed by Egypt with 58, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon with 23 entries each, and Jordan with 19 submissions. The prestigious award also received submissions from Bahrain, Palestine, Oman, Iraq, Qatar, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco.

Abdulaziz Taryam, CEO, Advisor and General Manager of Etisalat e& - Northern Emirates, said: "The award, launched from the UAE, aims to help develop the capacities of Arab children around the world in line with the vision, mission and goals of our wise leadership, who believe in enriching the capacities of humankind, support culture and books, instil the habit of reading, and nurture and develop the talents and skills of the younger generations."

He added: "I would like to congratulate all the creative teams that worked on the shortlisted titles of the 14th edition and assert our dedication to continue to support initiatives that drive impact, help unleash creativity in all fields, and support individuals in their quest to learn and advance."

Commenting on the shortlist, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said: "Through the award, UAEBBY reinforces its commitment to the children's literature sector by encouraging authors, illustrators and publishers to utilise best practices and enrich Arabic libraries with outstanding works to fulfil the needs of the younger generations.”

Al Aqroubi added: "We are pleased to see the increasing number of distinguished submissions from non-Arab countries including Turkey, Spain, Canada, Germany, the UK and the USA at the 14th iteration of the award. This affirms the presence of Arabic children's literature around the world and these high-quality works, produced to meet the stringent standards of the award, will lure children to the world of reading and bolster their relationship with books."

Early Reader
Amongst the shortlisted titled in the ‘Early Reader’ category are Lace by Muna Kamal, illustrated by Charlotte Shama and published by Tamer Institute for Community Education, UAE; Fisherman by Bassam Al Taji, illustrated by Omar Lafi, and published by Al Yasmine Publishing House, Jordan; How do You Feel Today? by Massara Touqan, illustrated by Haya Halaw, and published by Kalila Wa Dimna Publishing House, Jordan; Don't Leave My Hand by Noor Al Huda Mohammed, illustrated by Menat Allah Abdullah, and published by Dar Raheeq Alkotob, Egypt; and Once by Manar Haza, illustrated by Ali Al Zaini, and published by Alia publishing, Egypt.

Picture Book
In the ‘Picture Book’ category, the shortlist includes Amani's Wish by Nasser Al Dosari (Mr. Noon), illustrated by Menat Allah Abdullah, and published by TUC TUC EDITIONS, Spain; Behind the Wall - written and illustrated by Mohammad Al Hamawi; Little Puppy's Message by Nasser Al Dosari (Mr. Noon), illustrated by Ali Al Zaini, and published by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, Qatar; The Story of Two Sisters Hana and Shafa by Hadeel Ghunaim, illustrated by Ali Al Zaini, and published by Dar El Shorouk, Egypt; and Kingdom of Antiquity by Manar Haza, illustrated by Basema Husam, and published by Alia publishing, Egypt.

Chapter Book
Under the 'Chapter Book' category, shortlisted titles are Sindrany the Submarine by Umama Al Lawati, illustrated by César Samaniego and published by Al Salwa Publishers, Jordan; New Nest by Muna Al Sheemi, illustrated by Hani Saleh, and published by Dar El Shorouk, Egypt; and Whispers of Trees by Fay Mousa, illustrated by Fatima Madi, and published by Dar Asfar Publishing, Saudi Arabia.

Young Adults Book 
The shortlisted titles in the 'Young Adults Book' category include 45 Hours under the Snow by Shaikha Alzeyara, illustrated by Arash Jahani, and published by Al Yasmine Publishing House, Jordan; I'll start now, do you hear me? by Anas Abu Rahma, illustrated by Lubna Taha, and published by Dinosaun Publishing, Palestine; and Morning Star by Fay Mousa, illustrated by Mais Duwairi, and published by Dar Asfar Publishing, Saudi Arabia.

The winner of the Comics category will be announced during the awards ceremony at the 41st SIBF. 

The Etisalat Award 2021 comprises five categories, each valued at AED 180,000 and distributed equally amongst the author, illustrator, and publisher, except for the 'Young Adult Book' category which will be equally distributed between the author and publisher with AED 90,000 for each. 

Additionally, as part of the award's 'Warsha' programme, which was launched in 2013 with aims to discover and nurture a new generation of writers, illustrators and publishers, AED 300,000 will be dedicated to hosting workshops that harness people's ability to write and illustrate children's books.