NEW: Shortlists for 2018 Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature

Organizers announced the shortlists for this year’s Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature — the most prominent award for Arabic literature for young people — at this year’s Frankfurt book fair.

Winners are set to be announced at the opening of this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair, on October 31.

Children’s Book of the Year

My Wandering Dreams (أحلامي المتجولة), by Nabiha Maheidly, illustrated by Hassan Zahruddin, from Dar al-Hadaek.

Homesick (الحنين), by Aisha Abdullah Al Harthy, illustrated by Hassan Manasra, from Dar al-Alam al-Arabi.

Up to the Top (صعودا نحو القمة), by Nabiha Muheidly, illustrated by Walid Taher, from Dar al-Hadaek.

Koozy (كوزي) by Anastasia Qarawani, illustrated by Maja Kastelic, from Al Salwa Books.

Young Adult Book of the Year

The Secret of Oil (سر الزيت), by Walid Daqqa, from the Tamer Institute.

Who Lacks Love…Gives It (فاقد الحب… يعطيه), by Rania Amin, from Dar al-Balsam.

You’ll Never Leave Me (لن ترحلي), by Abeer Mohammed Anwar, from Nahdet Misr.

Factory of Memories (مصنع الذكريات), by Ahlam Bsharat, from Salwa Books.

Best Text

The Blue Door, (الباب الأزرق), by Sonia Nimr, illustrated by Raoof Kray, from the Tamer Institute

Farida the Hen Likes to Shout (فريدة الدجاجة التي تحب أن تصيح), by Hoda al-Shaer, illustrated by Sasha Haddad, from Dar al-Yasmeen.

Mama My Classmate (ماما بنت صفي), by Lubna Taha, illustrated by Maya Fadawi, from Salwa Books.

Mama’s Tall…Tall (ماما طويلة… طويلة), by Mohammed al-Muti, from Jabal Amman.

Best Illustrations

Grandpa’s Prayer Beads (سبحة جدي), by Basma al-Wazzan, illustrations by Intelaq Mohammed Ali, from Dar al-Alam al-Arabi.

Farida the Hen Likes to Shout (فريدة الدجاجة التي تحب أن تصيح), by Hoda Al-Shaer, illustrated by Sasha Haddad, from Dar al-Yasmine.

Think of Others, by Mahmoud Darwish, illustrated by Sahar Abdullah, from  Tanmia Publishing House.

Koozy (كوزي) by Anastasia Qarawani, illustrated by Maja Kastelic, from Al Salwa Books.

Best Production

Rabbit and Turtle in the 21st Century (الأرنب والسلحفاة في القرن الواحد والعشرين), by Arwa Khamis, illustrated by Hanan Qa’i, from Arwa Publishing House.

The Boy Who Was Trapped in His Height (الفتى المحبوس في طوله), by Abeer Ali, illustrated by Gulnar Hajo, from Bright Fingers.

Koozy (كوزي) by Anastasia Qarawani, illustrated by Maja Kastelic, from Salwa Books.

Up to the Top (صعودا نحو القمة), by Nabiha Muheidly, illustrated by Walid Taher, from Dar al-Hadaek.

There was no shortlist this year in the “best digital app” category for the lack of quality candidates.

Winner of “Best Children’s Book of the Year” takes 300,000 AED, or about $80,000 USD, split between author, illustrator, and publisher. Winner of “Best Young Adult’s Book of the Year” takes 200,000 AED, split between the author and publisher. The other categories each take 100,000 AED.