Sharjah: The International Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature receives 475 entries from 20 Arab and foreign countries.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) has concluded the registration for the 18th edition of the International Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature. The award, presented by E and P, saw a significant increase in participation this year with 475 submissions from 20 countries, compared to 407 in the previous edition. This marks a growth rate of 16.7%, with an increase of 68 submissions. The prize will continue to accept hard copies of the works until the end of August to ensure they meet the necessary criteria and requirements.

The diversity of submissions highlights a wide range of books catering to different age groups. Leading the categories was the ‘Picture Book’ for children aged 5 to 9, receiving 184 entries. Following this was the ‘Early Childhood’ category, targeting children from birth to five years old, with 112 submissions. The ‘Young Adult’ category, for ages 13 to 18, garnered 85 entries, while the ‘Chapter Book’ category, for ages 9 to 12, had 67 submissions. The ‘Non-Fiction Books’ category received 27 entries, emphasizing the growing trend of providing educational content in engaging formats for children.

The geographical distribution of entries was notable, with the UAE contributing 149 submissions, followed by Egypt with 115, Jordan with 52, Saudi Arabia with 43, and Lebanon with 27. There were also 15 entries from Canada, 12 from Qatar, 11 from Syria, 9 from Turkey, 8 each from Oman and Switzerland, 7 from Morocco, and 19 submissions from 8 other countries.

Marwa Al-Aqroubi, Chairperson of the Council, highlighted that the increase in submissions reflects a growing interest among creators and publishers in Arabic children’s literature. She remarked that the submissions present a dynamic overview of the current state of Arabic children’s literature, showcasing diversity in themes, publications, and creative experiences from various countries and cultural backgrounds.

The judging panel, consisting of esteemed writers, illustrators, and specialists in children’s literature and publishing, will evaluate the shortlisted works based on the award’s criteria. These include the originality of the idea, the quality of text and illustrations, language accuracy, and the suitability for the target age group. The panel will also assess the ability of the books to engage a child’s imagination, enrich their reading experience, and provide Arabic content that blends enjoyment with literary and artistic value.