Latest news with #SharjahChildren'sReadingFestival2025
Gulf Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
New UAEBBY board empowers Emirati women, says Bodour
As part of its participation in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025, the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) announced the formation of its new advisory board, in an initiative underscoring its ongoing commitment to empowering Emirati women and expanding their role in shaping the future of the board's projects and initiatives. This strategic step also aims to leverage the diverse expertise of the new board members to broaden the organisation's local and international partnerships and to further elevate the standing of children's literature within the Arab and global cultural landscapes. The newly formed advisory council brings together a distinguished group of Emirati women leaders, including Aysha Al Hamrani, an acclaimed artist and children's book illustrator known for her interactive storytelling works; Israa Al Mulla, Director of the International School of Storytelling at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, renowned for her extensive expertise in designing storytelling programmes; Amna Al Mazmi, Director of the Kalimat Foundation, widely recognised for her impactful efforts in empowering children's access to knowledge; Fatma AlKhatib, founder of Sidra Publishing House, known for her dedication to high-quality educational content; Moza Al Rand, Head of Events and Planning at the Sharjah Book Authority; and Noura Al Khoury, an acclaimed Emirati author whose children's books and stories have enriched Arabic libraries with educational and values-driven narratives. Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the UAEBBY, emphasised that the formation of the new advisory board is part of a broader strategic vision to expand the organisation's impact and future role. She said: 'This new board reflects our deep belief in empowering Emirati women to take on leading roles in the development of the children's book industry and to contribute meaningfully to the initiatives we organise to promote reading. These talented women bring fresh perspectives that will strengthen the quality of our projects and widen the scope of engagement with authors, illustrators, and children's literature professionals both locally and internationally.' Deepening ties with writers Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY, said: 'As we embark on a new and more advanced phase of our journey, the advisory board will play a key role in enriching and expanding our programming. From launching innovative initiatives that target children and young readers, to deepening cooperation with writers, illustrators, and publishers — this board represents a vibrant think tank capable of proposing creative solutions to advance the children's book sector and foster a deeper culture of reading. With this newly appointed board, the UAEBBY aims to reshape its programmes and events to align with evolving trends in reader engagement and publishing for young audiences. The Board will continue to focus on building the capacities of professionals in the field of children's literature, encouraging them to produce high-quality and innovative content. It also seeks to introduce stimulating, interactive events that fuse storytelling, art, and learning to cultivate reading habits and critical and creative thinking among children and youth. The UAEBBY is also committed to addressing the evolving needs of publishers, authors, and illustrators by offering advanced professional development opportunities and hosting workshops and training sessions focused on both the technical and artistic dimensions of children's literature. It further seeks to foster strong partnerships with cultural and educational institutions to strengthen the presence of children's books in schools and public libraries, while contributing to the creation of an environment that nurtures young readers and creative minds, guided by the belief that building a knowledge-based society begins with the very first book a child reads.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
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.
Gulf Today
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
'UAE is a beautiful country where books bring people together'
The Reading Corner at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025 (SCRF) – that opened at the Sharjah Expo Centre on Wednesday – went abuzz as acclaimed Italian author behind the globally adored Geronimo Stilton series wowed children, parents, and teachers alike with a lively and heartwarming reading session. Elisabetta Dami's interaction with her young fans brought a touch of nostalgia for some and wide-eyed wonder for many, as the prolific author — whose books have sold over 180 million copies worldwide — read aloud from one of Geronimo's latest adventures with Geronimo and her sister Thea Stilton dancing in front of an amused audience. Speaking to young readers about the values at the heart of her beloved character, Dami shared one simple principle she believes every child should live by: respect. 'If there's one secret to becoming a true hero — like Geronimo — it's this: respect everybody. 'Respect your teachers, your parents, your friends. That's where real courage and kindness begin,' she said. The 67-year-old from Milan then went on to praise UAE as 'a beautiful country where books bring people together,' calling the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 'a magical place where stories come alive and children become the stars.' A global voice in a local setting For 20 years, Geronimo Stilton has transported children into a world of cheese-chasing adventures and heartwarming lessons about kindness, resilience, and imagination. But for Dami, it's not just about entertaining kids — it's about empowering them. 'Children are the heroes of today, not just tomorrow,' she said during an informal Q&A session. 'They are brave, creative, and full of surprises. We need to listen to their voices and encourage their imaginations.' During a one-on-one interaction with her young fans, the author – who as an adventure lover got her aircraft pilot and parachutist licences at 20 before travelling around the world on her own and running the 100-km Sahara ultramarathon and New York Marathon thrice – also shared personal anecdotes about how Geronimo, the mild-mannered mouse who finds himself in wildly unexpected situations, was inspired by her own love of storytelling and desire to uplift children facing challenges. The festival is hosting 133 guests from 70 countries and will stage more than 50 cultural sessions featuring a distinguished group of international writers and illustrators, in addition to 85 theatre and roaming performances. For more information, visit Stories meet technology The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF), the region's leading literary celebration for young minds, has opened its doors to a world where stories meet circuits and technology becomes a tool for creativity. This year's festival features more than 600 creative workshops and activities, with the Digital Cube workshop – designed around the globally popular game Minecraft – proving to be one of the highlights. The session reimagines a pixelated universe into a hands-on experiment, where children craft glowing, LED-lit cubes that blend art, mathematics, and technology. 'This is a digital LED pixel cube. It's a project that brings together technology education, mathematics, engineering, and art,' said Mahmoud Hashem, a computer scientist from Lebanon and a first-time SCRF participant representing Room 94, known for its inventive workshops. 'Here, we're trying to blend mathematical thinking with practical skills, enhancing creativity and sparking curiosity. We want children to know that technology can be fun and approachable.' Equipped with printed templates, coin batteries, copper tape, LEDs, and scissors, participants set to work building their own digital cubes. The process involved cutting out paper circuits, applying copper tape, inserting the electronics, and colouring and assembling their glowing cubes. 'The beauty of this experiment,' added Hashem, 'is its simplicity. Every element is readily available from a local stationery shop, and the children can take the idea home to invent something new.' For 11-year-old Sana Siddiqui, the session was a revelation. 'It was such a fun way to learn about circuits,' she said. 'I want to use LEDs in the cards I make for my family and friends - the lights could be candles on a cake.' Twelve-year-old Akil Ashraf took it a step further, experimenting with two LEDs in a single circuit. 'I want to make a castle and light it up, just like in the game,' he shared. SCRF's 2025 edition, running until 4 May at Expo Centre Sharjah, stands out for championing digital literacy and creativity in equal measure.
Filipino Times
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Attention, bookworms! Sharjah Children's Reading Festival returns
Ka-TFT, are you ready for a fun and free family day? Check Out the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025! The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) is happening from April 23 to May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, and guess what? It's absolutely FREE! What's in it for you? This isn't just about books—it's an entire world of creativity and learning! Imagine a place where your kids (or even your pamangkins) can enjoy interactive workshops, mind-blowing theatrical performances, and meet their favorite authors and illustrators. From artsy activities to science experiments, there's something for every curious mind. More than just reading Ever had a hard time getting the little ones to love books? Maybe you tried bribing them with ice cream or pretending their gadgets ran out of battery (we won't judge!). But at SCRF, books become an adventure! With storytelling sessions, live readings, and creative activities, they won't even realize they're learning! A festival for everyone This event is not just for kids—it's for the whole family! Parents can join in on insightful talks about raising book-loving kids, while young adults can explore workshops tailored for their age group. And let's be honest, ka-TFT, we all love a good book fair! Mark your calendars and bring the whole fam! Whether you're a bookworm or just looking for a cool new experience, SCRF 2025 is the place to be. FAQ: What is the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival? It's more than a festival. Under the management of the Sharjah Book Authority, a governmental entity established in 2014 in Sharjah, this event is an ecstatic celebration that goes beyond one age group, enriching the whole family while instilling a love of reading in the youngest of children. How much is the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival ticket? You can attend the event for free. How long is the Reading Festival? The event runs for 12 days from April 23 to May 4.
