At the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
Bodour Al Qasimi Witnesses the Launch of the 18th Edition of the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature
Bologna (Italy), 16 April 2026
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority and Founder and Honorary President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), witnessed the launch of the 18th edition of the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, presented by “e&”, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, held from 13 to 16 April in Italy. This step reflects the UAEBBY’s ongoing commitment to supporting the children’s book industry and strengthening the presence of Arabic literature at international fairs and festivals.
The launch of the new edition took place amid a strong Emirati cultural presence at one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to children’s literature. The fair serves as a global hub bringing together publishers, authors, and illustrators from around the world, providing an enabling environment for knowledge exchange and exploring avenues of collaboration. This, in turn, enhances opportunities for the dissemination, translation, and global reach of Arabic publications, while offering valuable insights into the latest trends shaping the children’s publishing industry and engagement with leading international experiences in the field.
The award is structured across five main categories: Early Childhood, dedicated to books for children from birth to five years old; Picture Book for ages 5 to 9; Chapter Book for ages 9 to 12; Young Adult Book for ages 13 to 18; and Non-Fiction Books, the Rotating Category designated for readers up to 18 years old and selected on a biennial basis, in line with evolving literary trends and the needs of young audiences.
These categories reflect the diversity of target age groups, considering varying cognitive levels and interests, while offering publishers the opportunity to submit innovative works that combine intellectual value with artistic appeal. Publishers may submit up to five Arabic titles in both the Early Childhood and Picture Book categories, while an unlimited number of submissions is accepted in the remaining categories, provided they demonstrate originality, quality, and relevance to the designated age group.
Mohammed Al Amimi: The Award Has Strengthened the UAE’s Position as a Global Knowledge Hub
His Excellency Mohammed Al Amimi, Acting General Manager – Northern Emirates at e& UAE, the award’s main sponsor, affirmed that supporting the award aligns with the company’s commitment to social responsibility. He stated: “We take pride in our long-standing partnership with the UAE Board on Books for Young People, which spans more than fifteen years and has supported this pioneering initiative. The award has played a vital role in advancing the Arabic children’s book industry, providing a genuine platform to discover and nurture talent, while enriching the Arabic library with high-quality publications for children and young adults”.
Al Amimi added: “The International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature represents a leading model of integration between the cultural and economic sectors in service of society. It contributes to building generations of readers and creators, while strengthening the presence of the Arabic language on the global cultural stage. This aligns with our vision of investing in the future through knowledge and innovation and reinforces the UAE’s position as a global knowledge hub, delivering tangible impact on the development of the Arab publishing sector and enhancing the quality of its outputs in both form and content”.
Marwa Al Aqroubi: A Global Platform Celebrating Arabic Creativity in Children’s Literature
For her part, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, emphasised that launching the new edition at a major international event reflects the award’s renewed ambition to expand its global reach. She said: “Through this award, we continue to build a global platform that celebrates Arabic creativity in children’s literature, supporting authors, publishers, and illustrators, and empowering them to produce works that meet the highest international standards while reflecting the richness and specificity of Arab culture. The award has become a true meeting point for Arab creatives from across the world”.
Al Aqroubi added: “This edition builds on a sustained cultural journey aimed at fostering a culture of reading among children and young adults and strengthening their connection to the Arabic language. We are committed to attracting high-quality submissions from around the world that enrich the Arabic library with diverse and innovative content, combining creativity and knowledge while addressing the aspirations of new generations”. She noted that the award has played a significant role in promoting reading and maintaining a strong connection between younger generations and books, despite rapid technological developments, through its emphasis on excellence and quality.
Submissions Open Until the End of August
The award invites Arabic-speaking authors, illustrators, and publishers worldwide to submit their works before the deadline of 31 August 2026, in accordance with key eligibility criteria. Submissions must be original works written in Arabic, published in print within the past five years, and must not have received other awards, while fully complying with intellectual property and publishing rights. Educational, school, and scientific books, as well as series, e-books, and audiobooks, are not eligible.
Applicants may submit digital copies of their works via the award’s official website, provided submissions are made through officially registered publishing houses and that previously submitted works are not resubmitted. The jury reserves the right to withhold awards or disqualify entries that do not meet the criteria, and its decisions are final and non-appealable. Winners will be announced and honoured during the opening ceremony of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2026. The total prize value across the five categories amounts to AED 1.2 million, distributed among authors, illustrators, and publishers.
Since its inception, the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature has recognised hundreds of publications, supported the growth of the Arab publishing movement, and elevated quality standards in children’s book production. This has positively impacted on the content offered to new generations, while also discovering emerging talents who have become leading names in the field. The award has further strengthened the presence of Arabic children’s literature on international platforms and enabled Arab creators to produce works capable of competing globally while preserving cultural and linguistic identity.
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