The shortlists for the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature have been announced:
The YA list includes a novel by veteran children’s-book writer Rania Hussein Amin, author of the charming, award-winning Farhana books.
Afaf Tabbalah, who previously won the Etisalat, also returns to the “best text” list with her book, Sun. Walid Taher, a well-known artist and cartoonist who previously won with his The Black Dot, is also back for his illustrations. Celebrated Lebanese illustrators Sinan Hallak and Maya Fidawi also return to the list, as does Samar Mahfouz Barraj.
The winners were drawn from a pool of 151 entries from 13 countries.
The only Etisalat-shortlisted book to appear in English thus far is Ahlam Bsharat’s Code Name: Butterfly, trans. Nancy Roberts.
The “Young Adult’s Book of the Year” shortlist:
• Ejaza Edterareyya (An Urgent Leave) written by Mays Fouad Dagher, published by Al Dar Al Ahlia for Publishing and Distribution – Jordan
• Al Awalem Al Modee’a – Qabl Shurooq Al Shams (Luminous Worlds before Sunrise) written by Jinan Al Falahi and Naba Al Abdali, published by Al Hudhud Publishing and Distribution – UAE
• Sorakh Khalf Al Abwab (Scream Behind the Doors) written by Rania Hussein Amin, published by Nahdet Misr Publishing Group – Egypt
• Mothakkerat Fatah (A Girl’s Diary) written by Amal Farah, published by Shagara Publishing House – Egypt
• Ma’araket Antara ibn Shaddad (The Battle of Antara ibn Shaddad) written by Sanaa Shebani, published by Academia International – Lebanon
In the “Best Text” category:
• Areedo an Akoon Solhafat (I Want to Be a Turtle) written by Amal Farah, illustrated by Osama Abu Al Ola, published by Shagara Publishing House – Egypt
• Haret Marro (Marro’s Neighbourhood) written by Anas Abu Rahmah, published by Tamer Institute for Community Education – Palestine
• Sharbar Jae’i (Hungry Sharbar), Samar Mahfouz Barraj, illustrations by Sinan Hallak
• Shams (Sun) written by Dr Afaf Tabbalah, illustrated by Handi Sileet, published by Nahdet Misr Publishing Group – Egypt.
The ‘Best Illustration’ Category has nominated four books, including:
• Ehem.. Ehem.. Marrerni Men Fadlek (Ahem.. Ahem.. Let me Pass Please), illustrations by Walid Taher, text by Nabiha Maheddle.
• Berkat Al Asela Al Zarqa’a (The Pool of Blue Questions) written by Maya Abu Alhayat, illustrated by Hassan Manasrah, published by The Palestine Writing Workshop – Dalia Association – Palestine
• Bolqosh (Bolqosh) written and illustrated by Yara Bamieh, published by The Palestine Writing Workshop – Dalia Association – Palestine
• Sharbar Jae’i (Hungry Sharbar), Samar Mahfouz Barraj, illustrations by Sinan Hallak
The ‘Best Production’ category:
• Berkat Al Asela Al Zarqa’a (The Pool of Blue Questions), Maya Abu Heyab, illustrations by Hassan Monasira
• Bolqosh, written and illustrated by Yara Bamieh, published by The Palestine Writing Workshop – Dalia Association – Palestine
• Sharbar Jae’i (Hungry Sharbar), Samar Mahfouz Barraj, illustrations by Sinan Hallak
• Alia wal Qetat Al Thalath (Alia and the Three Cats), written by Amina Alaoui Hashemi, illustrations by Maya Fidawi.
The “Children’s Book of the Year” is valued at 300,000 dirhams, to be distributed equally between the publisher, author and illustrators; the “Young Adult Book of the Year” is worth 200,000 dirhams, distributed equally between the author and publisher. The “Best Text,” “Best Illustration,” and “Best Production” categories are to be presented with 100,000 each.
The announcements of winners are made at the opening of the Sharjah International Book Fair, set to open on the 2nd of November, 2016.
