Elisabetta Dami shares stories and values at SCRF

Sharjah 24: The Reading Corner at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025 (SCRF) – that opened at the Sharjah Expo Centre on Wednesday – went abuzz as acclaimed Italian author behind the globally adored Geronimo Stilton series wowed children, parents, and teachers alike with a lively and heartwarming reading session.

Elisabetta Dami’s interaction with her young fans brought a touch of nostalgia for some and wide-eyed wonder for many, as the prolific author—whose books have sold over 180 million copies worldwide—read aloud from one of Geronimo’s latest adventures with Geronimo and her sister Thea Stilton dancing in front of an amused audience.

Speaking to young readers about the values at the heart of her beloved character, Dami shared one simple principle she believes every child should live by: respect. “If there’s one secret to becoming a true hero—like Geronimo—it’s this: respect everybody. “Respect your teachers, your parents, your friends. That’s where real courage and kindness begin,” she said.

The 67-year-old from Milan then went on to praise UAE as “a beautiful country where books bring people together,” calling the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival “a magical place where stories come alive and children become the stars.”

A global voice in a local setting

For 20 years, Geronimo Stilton has transported children into a world of cheese-chasing adventures and heartwarming lessons about kindness, resilience, and imagination. But for Dami, it’s not just about entertaining kids—it’s about empowering them. “Children are the heroes of today, not just tomorrow,” she said during an informal Q&A session. “They are brave, creative, and full of surprises. We need to listen to their voices and encourage their imaginations.”

During a one-on-one interaction with her young fans, the author – who as an adventure lover got her aircraft pilot and parachutist licenses at 20 before travelling around the world on her own and running the 100-km Sahara ultramarathon and New York Marathon thrice – also shared personal anecdotes about how Geronimo – the mild-mannered mouse who finds himself in wildly unexpected situations – was inspired by her own love of storytelling and desire to uplift children facing challenges.

The festival is hosting 133 guests from 70 countries and will stage more than 50 cultural sessions featuring a distinguished group of international writers and illustrators, in addition to 85 theatre and roaming performances.

For more information, visit https://www.scrf.ae/en/sharjah-childrens-reading-festival.