SCRF 2025 welcomes 30 int’l children's authors and illustrators

April 22, 2025 / 5:42 PM

Sharjah 24: The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) promises a world of imagination, welcoming 30 authors, illustrators, and literary voices in children’s and young adult fiction to its 12-day cultural extravaganza. Hailing from 10 countries, the participants include award-winning storytellers and illustrators whose works in short fiction, novels, science fiction, and graphic novels have captivated young readers and topped bestseller lists worldwide.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the festival will take place at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 23 to May 4 under the theme “Dive into Books”. It offers visitors the chance to meet global literary figures whose contributions have enriched children’s and young adult libraries worldwide.

Eight authors from the United States

Among the US guests are Stephan Pastis, best selling creator of the “Timmy Failure” series and the comic strip “Pearls Before Swine”, and Linda Booth Sweeney, author of the acclaimed “The Noisy Puddle: A Vernal Pool Through the Seasons”. Rhonda Roumani, an award-winning journalist and author of “Tagging Freedom”, will also participate.

Children’s book author and comic artist Dora Wang, known for “Pocket Peaches”, will be joined by Sarwat Chadda, author of “Tariq and the Drowning City”. Brendan Wenzel, who received a Caldecott Honour for “They All Saw a Cat”, and literary agent Janna Morishima, a specialist agent in graphic novels and visual storytelling, complete the US lineup, along with Misako Rocks, manga artist and author of “Bounce Back”.

Eight creators from the United Kingdom

From the UK, the festival will welcome Nicola Morgan, a bestselling author renowned for her works on adolescent psychology, and Raahat Kaduji, whose illustrated book “I’m Not Scary” has been translated into multiple languages. Chloe Savage, winner of the 2024 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for “The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish”, will also attend.

Joining them are Hannah Lee, author of “The Rapping Princess”, and Sital Gorasia Chapman, known for “The Bedtime Boat”. Maryam Hassan, author of “Until You Find the Sun”, and Krina Patel-Sage, who created “Love is All We Need”, will also be present.

Five authors from India

India will be represented by Varun Duggirala, a bestselling author, podcaster, and emotional intelligence researcher, whose book Small Body, Big Feelings aims to help children navigate complex emotions. Lavanya Karthik, author and illustrator of over 40 books, including Ninja Nani and the Bumbling Burglars, will join Samina Mishra, documentary filmmaker and author of Roop and the River Crossing and Where Does It Hurt, and Aarti Khatwani Bhatia, author of Girl Who Lost Her Yes, and Amrita Gandhi, television host and author of Royal-ish.

Three authors from Canada and Australia

Canadian author Colleen Nelson, an award-winning writer and educator, known for more than twenty titles for young readers, including The Undercover Book List, will join SCRF 2025 alongside Rukhsana Khan, an acclaimed storyteller and author of Big Red Lollipop, which was named one of the 100 greatest children’s books by the New York Public Library. Australian author Andrea Rowe, whose book Jetty Jumping won the 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Early Childhood, completes the trio.

Two authors from Pakistan

From Pakistan, the Pakistani writer Sehrish Farooq, recognised as a Malala Education Champion for her efforts in promoting girls’ education will join the festival accompanied by Mariam Shah.

Three guests from the European Union

The festival will host Italian author Elisabetta Dami, creator of the globally bestselling Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton series. Dutch writer and comic journalist C.G. Salamander, author of Maithili and the Minotaur, will join Xin Li, an award-winning author and illustrator of I Lived Inside a Whale.