EIGHTH SESSION / 2021
The Arab Children's Book Publishers Forum announced the winners of the Best Children's Book Award for the eighth session / 2021. The winners as per the decision of the jury, are some of outstanding works that met the criteria of the award, namely:
First: Children’s Books Category Age Group (under 12 years old):
1. The book titled (الذي طارت منه الكلمات) (From which the words flew), the publisher: Nour Al Maarif for Publishing and Distribution / Egypt, the writer Muhannad Al-Aqous, and the illustrations by Dr. Amira Al Tababi,
Second: Books for Young People (16-12 years):
2. The book (الملكة سهيلة) (Queen Suhaila): Publisher: Nahdet Misr Publishing House, the writer Rania Hussein Amin.
Third: Best Text Category:
3. The book (أكاد أختنق) (Almost Choking): The Writer Sahar Shehadi, and the illustrations by Atif Abdullah, the publisher: Nour Al Maarif House for Publishing / Egypt.
Fourth: Best Illustration Category:
4. The book (أمل) (Amal), the painter: Haya Halaw, the writer: Amal Nasser, and the publisher: Dar Hikayat Qamar for publishing and distribution / Saudi Arabia.
On this occasion, the President of the Forum, His Excellency Mr. Nasser Asi, and the members of the Board of Directors of the Forum, extended their congratulations and praises to the winners, wishing them to keep on excelling and succeeding, along with their best wishes to all members of the Forum.
Professor Aisha Hamad Maghawour, Secretary General of the Arab Forum of Children's Book Publishers, chairman of the award committee, also expressed delight at this achievement and distinction, while noting that the Forum's award for the best children's book is meant to develop the children's book and prompt publishers to come up with the best, something that helps to engage children to have a sense of book companionship, and to build up their reading skills.
The jury of the award has wrapped up its work over the past few days to judge the competing works in the eighth session of the Arab Forum of Children's Book Publishers Award for the best children's book throughout an array of assessment criteria for this Award that is intended to aid in promoting the creative output of the publishing houses of the forum's members, and the enhancement of their contributions to the areas of Arab children's book publishing.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi, President of International Publishers Association, emphasized that the Association gives due care for effective and open communication with publisher unions and associations around the world to discuss developments and challenges in the publishing sector and identify new business models in line with developments in the previous phase.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi said: “We have drawn up a plan to hold a series of in-depth meetings and dialogues with publishers around the world and we started with Arab Publishers Association and Egyptian Publishers Association. The Arab publishing sector has promising opportunities, as the percentage of Arab young people is considered one of the highest percentages all over the world and this category is eager for knowledge and looks forward to getting acquainted with all new and creative aspects. Thus, this constitutes a motivation and inspiration for publishers.”
This statement was said during a meeting held between Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi and members of Arab Publishers Association and members of Egyptian Publishers Association in Cairo.
The meeting of Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi with Arab Publishers Association is the first activity that she has undertaken since holding the presidency of International Publishers Association, in a step in which she affirmed that the issues of Arab publisher are included within the main and essential issues the Association set for its new business cycle. Sheikha Bodour sent a message to Arab publishers, in which she declared that International Publishers Association is keen on interacting with them and continuing the exchange of ideas and visions to find out the factors of growth of the publishing sector in the Arab markets and define how to allow Arab books to reach global markets.
Supporting the creativity
Sheikha Al Qassimi discussed, before the participants in the meeting, the tasks of the specialized committees at International Publishers Association and showed how publishers joined it and participated in achieving its goals, noting that the Association was established to defend for publishers, unify their statements and visions and arrange their efforts to play their roles in an incubating and supportive environment throughout the world.
In addition, President of Arab Publishers Association, Mohamed Rashad, considered that the first visit of Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi, in her official capacity as President of International Publishers Association, is an appreciation and respect for Egypt's position on the map of Arab and global publishing.
He appreciated the efforts exerted by Sharjah under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in caring for and paying due attention to writers and the publishing stakeholders, pointing out that the establishment of Sharjah International Book Fair and the splendid initiatives accompanying it, represented a good chance for the publishing sector undergoing difficult circumstances.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) announced that Dubai Public Libraries received Excellence Award in "I Know" Initiative, which was launched by Arab Federation for Libraries and Information; the largest professional and scientific federation for libraries and information in the Arab world, to honor libraries addressing Corona crisis, due to the distinguished services provided by libraries and their response to the needs of the public during this emergency crisis.
Dubai Culture submitted a file in which it presented the integrated role that Dubai Public Libraries played in response to the pandemic of "Covid-19". It also shed light on its work system, which included the temporary closure of libraries, internal organization and support of library staff, through the virtual follow-up and organization of works, communicating with staff, giving health instructions for them, as well as providing them with vocational training remotely.
Externally, Dubai Culture formed the remote action team to deal with libraries beneficiaries and communicate with the public during the crisis. An action plan was developed and a regular schedule was set for cultural, technical and educational programs for children and adults in Arabic and English. Social media platforms, like "Instagram," were used to broadcast the planned cultural programs and an employee was appointed to review the Arabic content before its broadcast to the public. In addition, the public inquiries were answered and responded immediately, whether by electronic means or SMS.
The Arab Children’s Book Publishers Forum announced the winners of the Award for the Best Child’s Book for the ninth session / 2022, which was granted, according to the jury’s decision, to a number of distinguished and outstanding works that fulfilled the Award criteria, namely:
Firstly: Early Childhood Books Category:
The Book entitled (Do Not Call Animals Out Loud)
The writer: Tamara Kashha and illustrations were made by Anna Zurita; the publisher: Dar Al Yasmeen / Jordan.
Secondly: Middle Childhood Books Category:
The Book entitled (This is why Rayan walks like this): The writer: Yahya Ashour and the illustrations were made by Abdullah Qawariq; the publisher: Tamer Institute for Community Education / Palestine.
Thirdly: Young People Books Category:
The Book entitled (The Garden): the writer: Reda Salam and the illustrations were made by Yasser Jaisa; the publisher: Wow Publishing and Educational Services, United Arab Emirates.
On this occasion, the Forum management congratulated the winners, wishing them continued excellence and success and it extended its best wishes to all members of the Forum.
Ms. Aisha Hamad Meghawer, Secretary-General of the Arab Children’s Book Publishers Forum, also praised this level of members’ publications, which reflects what the Forum seeks, with respect to serving the child’s book and raising the level of its members’ publications, so that it could remain a tributary that enriches the knowledge among the generations. In addition, it would play its role in upgrading Arab children’s literature. Then, she pointed out that this Award is dedicated for developing the children's book and encouraging the publishers to provide the best quality, which would contribute to motivating children to have and acquire the book, as well as develop their reading habit.
The Award’s jury concluded its work during the past few days in assessing the works participating in the ninth session of the Forum’s Award for the Best Child’s Book through a set of assessment criteria for this Award, which aims at the enhancement of the creative production of publishing house members of the Forum and development of their contributions in the publishing fields of the Arab child’s book.
The winners were honored on Saturday, 14/5/2022 within the activities of the Sharjah Reading Festival.
