Bodour Al Qasimi Honours Winners of 17th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature

Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Founder of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), honoured the winners of the 17th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature (IAACL), presented by e&, during a ceremony held at Expo Centre Sharjah as part of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair.

The 2026 edition recorded 407 submissions from 22 countries, the highest since its launch in 2009, featuring the work of 280 authors, 263 illustrators, and 116 publishers. The UAE led with 111 entries, followed by Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Winners in five categories included Tomorrow is Another Day by Dalia Al Menhall Mirza (Early Childhood), Jerusalem’s Hidden Gate by Ibtisam Suleiman Barakat (Picture Book), A Dive by Nour ElHoda Mohamed (Chapter Book), Children of the Shadow by Hala Abbas (Young Adult), and Who Am I by Qais Saleh Al Hanti (Non-Fiction).

The award celebrates creativity and excellence in children’s and young adult literature across the Arab world. With a total prize value of AED 1.2 million, it remains one of the region’s most prestigious literary honours.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY, highlighted the award’s mission to inspire young readers and strengthen Arab identity through literature, while e& UAE’s Mohammed Al Amimi praised its role in fostering cultural sustainability and supporting Arab talent.