UAEBBY Shines at Muscat Book Fair

To kick off its presence in the Omani capital, UAEBBY organised the "Etisalat Children's Book Award" and a session for Omani publishers, authors, and illustrators. The session aimed to provide detailed insights into the award, its categories, conditions, participation procedures, and the evaluation criteria considered by the judging committee. This initiative aims to encourage increased engagement with the award, fostering a more substantial presence in subsequent cycles. The children's and young adult publishing sector stands out as a prominent cultural domain in Oman, with Omani publishers consistently nominated for the award each year, thanks to the outstanding quality of their content, creative illustrations, direction, and printing.

During its involvement in the fair, UAEBBY arranged two panel discussions. The first delved into the theme of "Therapeutic Reading and Its Impact on Children and Young Adults," featuring Iman Boushlibi, Director of Public Libraries Management in Sharjah and a member UAEBBY, along with Dr. Wafa Al Shamsi, an Omani writer and academic specialising in children's literature. The session, moderated by Fatima Al Zaabi, explored the significance of psychological support and assistance in overcoming emotional and psychological challenges, emphasizsing the role of books in enhancing mental and emotional well-being among children and young adults.

In the second session titled "Exploring the Silent World: Silent Books and Their Influence on Reading," UAEBBY featured Ibtihaaj Al Harthi, an Omani author and illustrator, and Thimar Halwani, a Lebanese children's writer and illustrator. Moderated by Omani writer and researcher Dr. Fawzia Al Fahdia, the session discussed silent books as an educational and entertaining resource for readers of all ages, highlighting their role in improving reading skills, nurturing imagination, and critical thinking. Silent books, with their focus solely on illustrations without text, were noted as particularly suitable for a diverse audience due to their universal appeal.
 
Marwa Al Aqroubi, the President of the Executive Board of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), mentioned, "Our involvement in the Muscat International Book Fair is driven by our dedication to promoting the Etisalat Children's Book Award. We aim to enhance interaction with publishers, authors, and illustrators, fostering collaboration to organise diverse reading events. Moreover, we seek to share the experiences of UAEBBY with our counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab world. This initiative encourages them to establish national branches affiliated with the International Council for Young Authors, working together to strengthen the bond between children and books while advancing reading culture across Arab communities."

Al Akroubi underscored that the session organised by the Etisalat Children's Book Award during their participation in the fair attracted interest from a new group of Omani creators who had not previously participated. This strategic move ensures their consistent participation in future award cycles. Participants were equipped with essential details to facilitate their engagement in the competition. The session also featured previous winners, illustrating the award's recognition of their work and providing insight into their upcoming projects. The award takes pride in inspiring them to specialise further in producing high-quality children's books.

In their involvement in the Muscat International Book Fair, the delegation from UAEBBY paid a visit to the Public Children's Library located on Qurm Beach in Muscat. Established in 2017 with support from private institutions, the delegation engaged with the library team, gaining an understanding of its extensive collection, including over ten thousand books and titles. The library encompasses sections for audio stories, services catering to individuals with special needs, areas for early education, and halls for cultural and entertainment events tailored for children up to youth age.

Expressing enthusiasm about the presence of this unique library in Oman, the Emirati delegation expressed a strong interest in fortifying partnerships and collaboration with various entities working with children, including this library. The library plays a pivotal role in enriching the cultural experiences of children and young individuals, providing them with an abundance of books, references, knowledge resources, and learning materials. The library also offers reading events, entertainment activities, and physical games to nurture and support the skills of the youth. UAEBBY reaffirmed its commitment to exploring collaborative opportunities with the library for organizing joint programmes.