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Al-‘Aawour, known for infusing her illustrations with echoes of Palestinian folklore and lived childhood memory, noted: “As an illustrator for children's books, my source of inspiration is my own childhood—the games, the feelings I once had. I think of all these things, and each one shapes the road of the book in my hand. Other times, inspiration comes from the world around me: folktales, a line from a poem, even a passing conversation on the street. But perhaps most powerful is the child—their perspective, their favourite colours, the emotions that light up their world. Working directly with children has brought me closer to their universe and what truly captivates them.”
For Raahat Kaduji, who grew up in the British countryside, the natural world is never far from the page. “It’s always been the woodland for me. As a child, I spent hours in the woods with my family. There’s endless inspiration there—shapes, textures, wildlife. For children, the visual is what they see first, especially before they become strong readers, so my process almost always begins with a sketch,” she said.
In a discussion about the international reach of picture books, Kaduji reflected on her debut, I’m Not Scary — a book now translated into several languages. “This story is about a bat. There’s a universal element to the fear of the unknown, and I wanted children to see that something that seems frightening might simply be misunderstood. While I wasn’t involved in the translation, I believe the images carry the story across cultures—the emotional truth comes through visually, wherever a child may be.”
Dr Abdullah AlSharhaan, hailed for his decades-long contribution to Arabic children’s media, emphasised the power—and the duty—of telling local stories. “I am keen to narrate tales that have not been told from this part of the world, to create a new imprint on young minds.”
Speaking about the vulnerability and the reward of making art for children, Kaduji said, “Creating a picture book is a risk from the outset. You put a piece of yourself into the world, not knowing how it will be received. But it’s also a privilege, seeing your work spark joy or comfort in a child. My advice to young creatives is simply this: be brave with your ideas, don’t worry about how you’ll be perceived.”
Al-‘Aawour added, “Our books must tell children, ‘We see you. This book is for you, a window to the world and a safe haven.’ Through illustration, we offer children a soft power—the courage and resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.”
For Dr AlSharhaan, the challenge remains ensuring Arabic literature holds its place in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. “Too often, children are introduced to books too late, with academic texts that do not ignite curiosity. Initiatives like the Arabic Reading Challenge are changing this, but we must do more to fill the gap with stories that reflect children’s lives and cultures.”
Kaduji agreed, highlighting the West’s responsibility in elevating diverse voices. “There is a significant gap in representation—stories from the Middle East, Africa, Asia. Children are global; they deserve stories from every horizon.”
“Before writing for others,” concluded Dr AlSharhaan, “write for yourself and the child within you. If you enjoy it, so will future generations.”
The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival continues to offer a window into the rich tapestry of global storytelling, affirming that every child, everywhere, deserves a narrative in which they can see themselves.
The free to attend event is running at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 4. For more information, visit, www.scrf.ae.
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