Aspiring writers and illustrators for children's books in Arabic can now put their pens to paper (or fingers to keyboards) as the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature opens its doors for the 16th edition.Organized by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) and sponsored by e& UAE, a leading technology and investment conglomerate,the award celebrates creativity and excellence in Arabic children's literature.
This year's call to entry,announced during Etisalat's participation in the 15th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival,welcomes submissions from all around the world.Creators can submit previously published works,making it an accessible platform for established and budding authors alike.Importantly, there's no restriction on the number of entries a publisher can submit,encouraging a diverse range of stories to be considered.
The Etisalat Award recognizes the multifaceted nature of creating a captivating children's book.There are five distinct categories:Written Text for Children,Illustration for Children,Picture Book for Early Readers,Child Literature Knowledge Study,and Digital Applications for Children.This ensures all the essential elements – from the narrative itself to the accompanying artwork and child-friendly presentation – are individually acknowledged.
With a total prize purse of AED 1.2 million (approximately USD 326,000),the Etisalat Award offers substantial recognition for the winners.Each of the five categories carries an AED 180,000 (around USD 49,000) prize, divided equally between the author,illustrator (where applicable),and publisher.This three-way split highlights the collaborative effort that goes into crafting a successful children's book.The Early Reader category is an exception, with the AED 90,000 (approximately USD 24,500) prize being shared between the author and publisher only,reflecting the typical structure of such publications.
The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature plays a crucial role in fostering the creation of high-quality Arabic literature for young audiences.By providing a platform for both established and emerging talent, the award promises to keep the world of Arabic children's books vibrant and engaging.