International Award for Arabic Children's Literature
えてぃさらと あらびあ じどう ぶんがくしょう
An international literary award for children's books written in Arabic. Established in 2009, with winners announced every year at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
Children's literatureArabic literatureInternational literary award
- Established
- 2009
- Organizer
- United Arab Emirates Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), sponsored by: Etisalat / Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi (Founded by: Arab Children's Book Publisher’s Forum)
- Category
- Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Application Deadline
- around August
- Announcement Period
- around November
- Status
- Active
Description
Established in 2009 by the Arab Children's Book Publisher’s Forum, with sponsorship from Etisalat and support from Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. Operations transferred to UAEBBY from 2010. Eligibility: original works in Arabic (no translations), published within the last 3 years, and not previously awarded equivalent prizes. Target age: 0-14 years, with each publisher able to nominate up to 3 entries. Total prize amount: 1,000,000 AED; awarded to a single winner from 2009-2012, but restructured from 2013 to divide by categories. Winners announced every year at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Total 1,000,000 AED (UAE Dirham). From 2013 onwards, divided and awarded across multiple categories.
- Cash Prize
- 1,000,000 AED
- 2009–2012: 1,000,000 AED to a single winner (50% to author/illustrator, 50% to publisher)
- Main breakdown from 2013 onwards: Best Text 100,000 AED / Best Illustration 100,000 AED / Best Production 100,000 AED / Best Children's Book of the Year 300,000 AED (divided among author, illustrator, publisher) / Best Young Adult Book of the Year 200,000 AED (divided between author and publisher) / Etisalat Award Workshops for Children’s Books 200,000 AED
- Prize distribution and category structure may vary by year
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination (entry) | Nominations by each publisher. Eligibility verification by organizer (UAEBBY). | Unknown | Internal acceptance management (public announcement varies by year) |
| First round (preliminary screening / longlist selection) | Selection committee (detailed composition often not disclosed) | Unknown | Shortlist etc. may be announced (varies by year) |
| Final selection and winner determination | Panel of expert judges (changes each year) | Unknown | Winners announced every year at the Sharjah International Book Fair |
Nomination (entry)
Judges
Nominations by each publisher. Eligibility verification by organizer (UAEBBY).
Pass Rate
Unknown
Announcement
Internal acceptance management (public announcement varies by year)
First round (preliminary screening / longlist selection)
Judges
Selection committee (detailed composition often not disclosed)
Pass Rate
Unknown
Announcement
Shortlist etc. may be announced (varies by year)
Final selection and winner determination
Judges
Panel of expert judges (changes each year)
Pass Rate
Unknown
Announcement
Winners announced every year at the Sharjah International Book Fair
Criteria
- The work must be written in Arabic (original)
- Must be an original work (no translations, reproductions, or quotations)
- Published within 3 years (verify publication year)
- No previous receipt of equivalent awards
- Content does not contradict Arab society's values, traditions, or customs
- Target age 0-14 years, with appropriateness for children required
- Each publisher can nominate up to 3 entries
Application Tips
Dos
- 応募前に出版年が過去3年以内であることを確認する
- 作品がアラビア語のオリジナルであることを明示する
- 出版社としてノミネーション上限（最大3点）を守る
- 対象年齢に合わせた表現・編集・イラストの質を整える
- 製本・装丁・図版などの制作品質を高める
Don''ts
- 翻訳作品や既に受賞歴のある作品を応募しない
- 出版社のノミネート上限を超えて応募しない
- 文化的に不適切な内容・表現を含めない
- 提出情報に虚偽を記載しない
From Judges
- オリジナリティと子どもに対する訴求力を重視する
- 文章表現の質だけでなく、イラストや制作（製本・レイアウト）も評価対象になる
- 文化的文脈や対象地域の価値観への配慮が重要である
- 明確な対象年齢設定と、それに沿った言語・表現を心がける
Related Awards
- Etisalat Prize for Literature
- Etisalat Prize for Innovation
- Sharjah International Book Fair
- Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat-related)
Official Resources
https://uaebby.org.ae/ar/iaaclPast Winners
Hadil Ghoneim
Excellence Award
Sahar Abdallah
Excellence Award
Haya Saleh
Excellence Award
Jikar Khorshid
Excellence Award
Baraa Al Awour
Excellence Award
Essam Asmir
Excellence Award
Lama Azmar
Excellence Award
Hanane al-Kai
Excellence Award
No winner