Children’s Literature Award jury stresses attention to detail

Several members of the judging panel underscored that fostering the growth of children’s literature demands awareness of the finer aspects that determine a book’s quality and impact. They pointed out that some outstanding works were disqualified for lacking a clearly defined readership, while reaffirming that the preservation of Standard Arabic is essential and non-negotiable for literature aimed at young audiences.

This discussion took place during a panel hosted by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) titled “The International Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature”, as part of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair. The session aimed to evaluate both the submitted and winning works and featured members of the judging panel: Italian illustrator Francesca Dell'orto, Dr Wafaa Al Shamsi, a pioneer in children’s and young adult literature from Oman, and Qatari writer Sheikha Al-Ziyarah, with Iman Mohammed, Director of Programs and Awards, moderating the session.

Similar standards among nominated works

Dr Wafaa Al Shamsi explained that some entries did not progress to the final stage due to the absence of proper age classification, despite their high literary and artistic quality. She noted that some publishers confused categories, particularly between “illustrated books” and “early childhood books.”

She further emphasised that the quality of printing and binding has become a critical success factor for printed works amid the growing popularity of digital reading. Al Shamsi added that the jury faced challenges in selecting winners among works of similar merit, ultimately basing their choices on each book’s ability to expand a child’s imagination and positively influence their awareness and behavior.

Exclusion of dialect-based works

For her part, Sheikha Al-Ziyarah noted that some submissions excelled either in text or design but rarely achieved excellence in both areas. She pointed out that some strong narratives were weakened by subpar illustrations.

She praised publishers who maintained a clear list of prohibited content, noting that such practices increase the likelihood of their works being nominated if they meet the award’s requirements.

Al-Ziyarah further explained that the committee excluded any book written in colloquial Arabic, with exceptions only made for songs or excerpts embedded within works primarily written in Modern Standard Arabic.

A transparent selection process

Illustrator Francesca Dell'orto affirmed that the shortlisting and selection of winners were conducted through a transparent and well-defined process. She emphasised that the award’s purpose is to elevate the quality of children’s literature, stating, “Publishers must understand what is appropriate before submitting their work. Our goal is to help develop this field and ensure higher standards for future publications.”