The 12th iteration of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival is in full swing, running until Saturday at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
The 11-day event, organised by Sharjah Book Authority, boasts a For Your Imagination theme this year, with prominent names across the region and beyond taking part in panel discussions, workshops and other activities both in person and online.
Vibrant illustrations and relatable characters play a key role in nurturing creativity and imagination
In total, 27 authors from 15 countries are participating, alongside 172 publishers, and more than 500 activities have been planned, including a series of theatrical shows and workshops, as well as cookery sessions and a literary competition, among others.
Take a look through the photo gallery above to see more from the event.
For the first time this year, the festival has expanded its outreach across other emirates in the UAE. For example, Egyptian novelist Tayeb Adib and Claudia Rueda, a Colombian picture book author and illustrator, hosted a discussion at Dubai's Al Safa Art and Design Library.
Titled Bringing Stories to Life, the session, which was moderated by Dr Lamia Tawfik, explored aspects needed to create memorable characters in children's books, while also incorporating a moral underpinning.
“Vibrant illustrations and relatable characters play a key role in nurturing creativity and imagination," said Adib. "Stories are therefore an important educational tool whose impact is intensified when adapted to the screen as a series or film."
Back in Sharjah, a cultural panel called Non-Fiction Books for Children was hosted by author, illustrator and animator Matt Lamothe, alongside award-winning Omani writer Dr Wafa Al Shamsi, a poet and professor at the UAE University in Al Ain.
"The challenge is to understand how children think, and how much they can process," said Al Shamsi, while describing her methodology in writing a book for children on health issues that affect their grandparents or the elderly.
“Non-fiction books must strive for accuracy and deliver the right information in an interesting manner. What is most important is to inject fun and a sense of humour into the work so children enjoy it.”
The initiative reflects Sharjah's vision to nurture the new generation's talents and foster their cultural awareness
On Sunday it was announced, following a directive by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, that Dh2.5 million has been allocated to buy new titles from Arab and international publishers who are taking part in the festival.
"The allocation of the grant under the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah is an annual reminder of the importance of supporting and ensuring the continued growth of the book and knowledge industries in the UAE and beyond," said Ahmed Al Ameri, chairman of Sharjah Book Authority.
“[The] initiative will have a greater impact this year in light of the challenges faced by both Arab and international book markets due to the coronavirus pandemic, and reflects Sharjah’s vision to nurture the new generation’s talents and foster their cultural awareness.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
