In brief
During the 2026 Sharjah International Book Fair, Sheikha Bodour presented the 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, honouring five winners across categories from early readers to young adult and non‑fiction. The ceremony, backed by Etisalat and organized by the UAE Board on Books for Young People, attracted senior book‑industry figures, and included acknowledgment of the jury’s role in selecting the titles.
In the bustling halls of the 6 November 2026 Sharjah International Book Fair, Emirati leader Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, presented the 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature. The ceremony, organized by UAEBBY and presented by Etisalat, brought together authors, illustrators, publishers and industry executives to celebrate the best in Arabic children's books.
The event was attended by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY; and Saood Ibrahim Saleh, Etisalat’s Vice President of Government Sales for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Cultural figures, representatives from book‑related organizations, jury members, and numerous authors and illustrators were also present, underscoring the community’s broad support for the award.
Sheikha Bodour recognised five winners, reflecting the diversity of Arabic children's literature across five categories. In the Early Reader category, Nasser Al Dousari’s *Shapes from the Imagination*, illustrated by Maya Majdalani and published by Zingo Ringo Books in Switzerland, took the prize. Then, the Picture Book award went to *Fahman*, written by Masarra Touqan, illustrated by Maya Majdalani, and published by Kalila wa Dimna Publishing in Jordan.
Winners of the 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature
Chapter Book: *Unbesieged Minds*, conceived by Lina Abou Chaban, written by Shireen Sabanegh, and illustrated by a team that included Shirough Idris, Amani Albaba, Abdullah Qawariq, Naeem Ajouly and Diyala Zada, published by Jabal Amman Publishers in Jordan.
Young Adult Book: *The Boy Who Lost His Dream*, written and illustrated by Rima Al‑Shaal, published by Roya for Publishing and Distribution in Turkey.
Non‑Fiction: *The Knowledgeables Trip – A Journey with Arab and Muslim Scholars*, written by Muhannad Al Akous, illustrated by Omar Lafi, published by Noon Books: Nahed AlShawa Cultural in Canada.
The ceremony also included a brief honour for the jury members, whose expertise and assessments were instrumental in selecting the winners. The event was highlighted as a testament to the growing international participation of publishers, authors, and illustrators in Arabic children's literature, and underlined the UAE’s support for the cultural export of quality Arab books for young readers.