Developing children’s independent reading tastes at SIBF 2025

Moderated by media presenter Lamya Tawfik, the session brought together Syrian-British author Nadine Kaadan, Angolan writer Ondjaki, and Indonesian author Reda Gaudiamo, who shared their views on authentic storytelling, cultural identity, and the importance of allowing children to develop independent reading tastes.

Nadine Kaadan, an award-winning author and illustrator based in London, reflected on her early experiences growing up in Syria. “As a child, I only read French and English books. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I discovered a Syrian author writing about Damascus, and for the first time, I saw my own city and people in a story,” she recalled. “I want children to say, ‘I am proud of where I come from.”

Stories can heal

Kaadan, who works closely with young refugees processing trauma, explained how stories can heal both children who have experienced conflict and those from peaceful societies. “Storytelling helps children process emotions, recognise their feelings, and feel acknowledged. They relate in their own way,” she said, adding that writers should resist commercial pressure to dilute cultural authenticity. “I only write when I feel connected to the subject; never because of market demands.”

Children must be heard

Reda Gaudiamo, author of the beloved Na Willa series, championed the power of imagination in children’s literature. “Let children have their own ideas. Don’t say there is no purple broccoli,” she quipped. Recalling a publisher who asked her to remove chapters where her child protagonist said ‘no’ to a teacher, she said, “I refused. Children’s voices matter and they must be heard.”

She cited Le Petit Nicolas by René Goscinny and Totto-chan by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi among her influences, noting that emotions such as loneliness and sadness are universal. “Children everywhere feel the same things,” she said. “Writing for them takes more time and concentration because every word matters.”

Ondjaki, one of Angola’s most prominent literary voices, echoed the importance of identity and language. “Identity is central today. Language is power, and children are ready for the post-war world,” he said. Known for his work across novels, plays, and scripts, he shared: “When I write for children, I take great care — they hate boring or condescending books. What fascinates them are not the heroes' courage or jokes but the small, secret details that reveal their humanity.”

He also urged writers to be unapologetically themselves. “Authors must defend the truth of their culture. We should never tone down our details to please an international market.”

Parents role in nurturing the love  of reading

All three authors agreed that parents play a decisive role in nurturing a love for reading, primarily by setting the right example. “Parents must limit their own screen time if they want children to read,” they said collectively, “and allow them to choose books that reflect their own curiosity.”

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme Between You and a Book, the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 runs for 12 days at Expo Centre Sharjah, hosting authors, publishers, and readers from 118 countries.