We are thrilled to announce the nomination of the children’s book “Queen of Balloons” to the longlist of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award under the Children’s Literature category, out of 4,000 submissions from seven countries worldwide.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), announced the longlists for its 2024-2025 edition in the categories of Literature, Young Author, Children’s Literature, and Editing of Arabic Manuscripts, with submissions currently under review and evaluation by the award’s judging committees.
The storybook “Queen of Balloons” authored by Lina Qtaishat, illustrated by the Egyptian artist Ali Al-Zaine and produced and published by the We Love Reading Program. Lina Qtaishat is an architect, a researcher and a projects manager at We Love Reading, with a keen interest in the arts and literature. Her story resonated widely among the program’s ambassadors and has received significant attention. The book addresses crucial and modern topics related to climate change and water issues, shedding light on important innovations.
In addition to the training on reading aloud for children and the research and studies department, We Love Reading has a specialized department dedicated to developing children’s books, with a focus on creating enjoyable and creative stories based on specific standards and methodologies. In collaboration with prominent writers and illustrators, We Love Reading has developed 38 books, including three in English, covering various topics such as the environment, resource conservation, empathy, social cohesion, non-violence, refugees, gender equality, disability, and climate change.
In its 19th edition, the award received more than 4,000 nominations from 75 countries, including 20 Arab nations and 55 others from around the world.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is one of the most prestigious international accolades, celebrating outstanding creative and literary works. The award honors cultural figures, publishers, authors, creatives, and youth in fields such as literature, humanities, arts, Arabic language, manuscripts, and more. Dedicated to promoting the transformative power of culture, the award plays a pivotal role in shaping the global cultural landscape and builds cultural bridges between civilizations, fostering constructive dialogue, peace, and coexistence on a global scale.