The Cultural Office of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah organised the Sharjah Cultural Salon under the theme "Children's Literature: Between Passion and External Influence", held at the council’s theatre. The seminar featured the participation of Dr. Badi’a Al Hashimi, a specialist in children’s literature; Amira Al Marzouqi, Head of the Psychological and Family Counseling Department at the Family Development Department and Branches; and Jawaher Al Kaabi, Director of Literature and Languages Programmes at Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators. The session was moderated by writer Najiba Al Rifai.
The seminar discussed several key topics, including the question of writing for children: Which is better—literature written for children or written by children themselves? Do the stories authored and published by children count as a contribution to local and global literature, or are they merely attempts that do not meet the standards of creative literary writing?
Quality Isn’t About Who Wrote It
Dr. Badi’a Al Hashimi emphasised that the quality of a story isn’t determined by its author’s identity but by its adherence to literary standards, particularly linguistic accuracy. She noted that although the phenomenon of children writing stories existed in the past, it has grown significantly with the spread of social media. She warned that publishing a book under a child’s name places great responsibility on the child, who then must face the public, respond to their questions, and handle criticism—potentially affecting them negatively. A child should have a genuine passion for writing and publishing and must meet certain standards, contain impactful ideas, and convey meaningful values.
She likened writing to other forms of talent, such as drawing or music, stressing the importance of recognising, nurturing, and supporting a child’s talent. However, she recommended publishing within limited scopes such as school or children’s magazines, noting that issuing a book can place undue pressure on a child beyond their age and maturity.
Dr. Al Hashimi also pointed out the visible interference of parents or publishers in some children’s stories, which compromises the authenticity and spontaneity of the text—especially when the child struggles to discuss the book in media interviews.
Psychological Pressure from Early Fame
Amira Al Marzouqi agreed, stating that children as young as six can have enough vocabulary to write stories, but early publishing and exposure to fame can have more negative than positive consequences. Parents who push their children toward fame may unintentionally place them under immense psychological pressure. The child, in turn, carries a burden far beyond their years, potentially growing up anxious and constantly feeling inadequate—especially if they lack genuine motivation and are simply fulfilling their parents' ambitions. Early fame can also negatively affect a child's personality, potentially leading to arrogance. Striking a balance is key to maintaining the child’s emotional well-being.
She called for more parental control and thoughtful decision-making to balance instilling values and ethics with nurturing talents—while avoiding the child’s obsession with fame. She stressed the crucial role of families in supporting children and the need to educate parents on how to interact with their children in a psychologically healthy way to avoid long-term trauma.
Self-Motivation Is Key
Jawaher Al Kaabi emphasised that children should not be pressured to write or publish unless they have a genuine internal drive. If such a drive exists, they should be encouraged to develop their talent through reading, attending writing workshops, and publishing in children's magazines—while avoiding the premature release of a full book to prevent the adverse effects of early fame.
She stressed the need to balance a child’s passion for publishing and fame with educational and developmental goals. Drawing on her experience, she noted that children who publish books often refuse to attend writing workshops afterward, believing they've reached the pinnacle of success. In reality, both children and adults need continuous learning. She also warned that some commercial publishers focused solely on profit are exacerbating the issue.
Public Interaction and Final Remarks
At the end of the session, the floor was opened for audience questions and comments. Her Excellency Noura Ahmed Al Noman, Head of the Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, stated that families must play a positive role in developing children’s personalities, enhancing their self-confidence and sense of achievement—within the limits of childhood. Parents should not push their children into adult roles and experiences beyond their years, as this creates artificial happiness and fame. She called for clear recommendations to be issued to all child and family-focused institutions to raise awareness and strike a balance between supporting children’s talents and protecting their emotional and psychological well-being.
Her Excellency Salha Obaid Ghabish, Head of the Cultural Office, also spoke, stating that based on her experience in various literary forms—including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and children’s stories—writing for children is the most challenging. Children are honest in their emotions and ideas and won’t flatter—they either accept a book or reject it. The motivation behind this seminar was the emergence of a publishing house called Little Publisher, which prompted concerns about placing children under undue pressure. The feeling of being in the spotlight affects their psychological development. As someone who owns a magazine and publishing house, she often notices that some mothers direct their children toward a path they themselves dreamed of, leading to children with fake smiles and unstable emotional states.
Her Excellency Moudhi Al Shamsi, Head of the Family Development Department and Branches, emphasised the importance of the educational system in spreading awareness about reading and writing. Classes are essential for developing talents and expanding children’s vocabularies. These classes also help build confidence and refine skills—away from the negative aspects of fake fame. She concluded by calling for increased awareness in schools and families alike.
For an optimal experience, please