The Big Bad Wolf offers big discounts on books at SCRF
Visitors of all age groups and especially young children are not only enjoying the varieties of festivities at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025 (SCRF) but also showing great interest in books being sold on discount prices as high as 85 per cent especially at one of the biggest stalls set up by the Big Bad Wolf.
The world's biggest book sale, which was introduced to the UAE by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has come to the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival for the first time, offering discounts as high as 85% thus giving children and their guardians every reason to fully embrace books and reading.
Talking to the media, Andrew Yap, co-founder, Big Bad Wolf Books said: 'Our mission is to change the world through books, and we want to make that change beginning with kids. But in this digital age, how can we make children fall in love with books?'
Andrew Yap, co-founded the Big Bad Wolf Books with his wife Jacqueline Ng way back in 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
'The Big Bad Wolf is a classic character and today's kids are less familiar with it than their parents' generation. The name is sure to attract their interest and curiosity,' he pointed.
Yap remembers his childhood bereft of books and vows that no child today should face that problem; hence he has been intent on presenting books at the most affordable price range.
'This is our first time here. We have partnered with SBA and as a specialised book fair with people from across the region flying in here, this is a wonderful opportunity for us.'
Being a children's event, Big Bad Wolf is exhibiting only children's books at SCRF. But that is a virtual treasure house of books that children will fancy - board books, popup books, colouring books, encyclopedias and the like.
'At SCRF, our books are priced for as low as Dhs3 and as high as Dhs180 (for a book that costs Dhs500),' said Santy John, head of Marketing and Business development of Big Bad Wolf in the UAE.
She pointed out that they have been in the UAE for quite some time, holding book fairs in Dubai and Sharjah.
'We are exploring further and will soon be seen in Ajman and Abu Dhabi, not to mention other Middle Eastern nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. We are across 17 countries and 50 cities, and are still growing.'
The price point is their USP, and has meant even casual visitors will not hesitate to buy a book.
'We have everything a young child needs. The fact that we are selling on a large scale brings in profits. It is the volume game,' said John.
According to Yap, 'If the whole world is reading, we will see a better world.'
'Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025 can only wish for the same too.'
However, Sharif, a student of Grade 8 in one of Sharjah's schools, is enjoying the huge discount on their favourite books at the Big Bad Wolf and shared his excitement and said: 'We were surprised to see the wide range of our favourite books on discounts up to 85 per cent offering by the Big Bad Wolf stall. We will visit again on weekend to buy more books to bring our friends.'
The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, will continue till May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme 'Dive into Books.'
This year's agenda will feature 133 guests from 70 countries, and 122 Arab and international publishing houses from 22 nations.
His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recently toured the festival halls.
This year's edition features over 1,024 cultural, artistic, and entertainment events, including creative workshops, theatrical performances, interactive sessions, and specialised reading activities for children and families.
The festival also welcomes more than 133 distinguished guests from 70 countries, highlighting its global reach and cultural diversity.
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