We Love Reading is proud to celebrate the participation of Professor Rana Dajani, Founder of We Love Reading, as a member of the jury for the 18th edition of the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, formerly known as the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature. The winners were announced during the Sharjah International Book Fair 2026.
Established in 2009, the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature is one of the leading awards dedicated to children’s and young adult literature published in Arabic. The award aims to encourage creativity, raise the quality of Arabic children’s books, and support authors, illustrators, and publishers in producing outstanding literary works. The total value of the award is AED 1.2 million.
The 2026 edition received 475 entries from 20 countries, reflecting the growing diversity and strength of Arabic children’s publishing. Winning works were selected across five categories: Early Reader, Picture Book, Chapter Book, Young Adult’s Book, and Non-Fiction.
Professor Rana Dajani served alongside distinguished specialists in Arabic language education, children’s literature, writing, illustration, and libraries. Members of the jury were honored during the award ceremony in recognition of their expertise and their contribution to evaluating the entries and advancing literary and artistic quality in books for children and young adults.
We are proud of Dr. Dajani’s participation, which strongly reflects We Love Reading’s mission to foster a love of reading among children and support high-quality Arabic content that respects children’s intelligence, stimulates their imagination and curiosity, and makes reading an enjoyable and meaningful experience.
The winning books of the 18th edition were:
Early Reader:
Ashkal Min Al Khayal (أشكال من الخيال) — written by Nasser Al Dosari (Al Sayed Noon), illustrated by Maya Majdalani.
Picture Book:
Fahman (فهمان) — written by Masarra Toukan, illustrated by Maya Majdalani.
Chapter Book:
Oqoul La Tuhasar (عقول لا تحاصر) — concept by Lina Abu Shaaban, written by Shireen Sabanekh, with illustrations by Shorouq Idris, Amani Al Baba, Abdullah Al Qawareeq, Naeem Ajouli, and Diala Zada.
Young Adult’s Book:
The Boy Who Lost His Dream (الفتى الذي أضاع حلمه) — written and illustrated by Rima Al Shaal.
Non-Fiction:
Nuzhat Al Arifeen Ma’a Ulama Al Arab Wal Muslimeen (نزهة العارفين مع علماء العرب والمسلمين) — written by Muhannad Al Aqous, illustrated by Omar Lafi.