The Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature, launched by the UAE National Chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), is an incentive for the children’s book industry in the Arab World, intended to encourage publishers, authors and illustrators to develop the quality of books, in both form and content, as well as to motivate children to be open to the world of knowledge and culture.
The UAE Board on Books for Young People has recently announced the longlist for the 2010 Award (also listed on the Read Kutub Kids blog):
Three books from Jordan
* أحلام ورقة اصدار Ahlam Waraqa (A Paper’s Dream) from Dar Noon
* وفوق السطح Fawq Al Sath (Above the Surface) from Dar Al Yasmin Publishing and Distribution
* بيت للأرنب الصغير Bayt Lil Arnab Al Sagheer (A House for the Small Rabbit) from Al Salwa Studies and Publishing. Written by Taghreed Najjar and illustrated by Reem Askari.
Three books from Egypt
* النقطة السوداء Al Noqta Al Sawda (Black Point) from Dar El Shorouk. Written and illustrated by وليد طاهر.
* عندما رقص الأسد Indama Raqasa El Asad (When the Lion Dances) from Dar El Shorouk. Written and illustrated by إيهاب شاكر.
* فرحانة وسر جمالها Farahana wa Sir Jamaliha (Farhana and the Secrets of Her Beauty) from Dar Elias Printing and Publishing. Written and illustrated by رانية .حسين امين . More from Elias Modern on the Farhana series.
Two books from Palestine’s Tamer Institute
* لعمة زيون وشجرة الزيتون Al Amma Zayoun wa Shajaret El Zaytoun (Aunt Zayoun and the Olive Tree)
* تعال ألعب معي Ta’al El’ab Ma’e (Come Play With Me)
From Lebanon’s Asala Publishing:
* أفتش عن هواية Ofatesh An Hiwaya (Looking for a Hobby). Written by سمر براج and illustrated by لينا مرهج.
From UAE-based publisher Dar Al Jarbou:
* الجمل ذو السنام الصغير Al Jamal Tho Al Sinam Al Sagheer (Camel with a Small Hump)