Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature Announces 2024 Shortlists – ARABLIT & ARABLIT QUARTERLY

OCTOBER 17, 2024 — The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, one of the largest regional prizes dedicated to literature for young readers, today announced its shortlists in five categories: early readers, picture books, poetry, young adult literature, and chapter books. The list features several returnees — Egyptian illustrator Sohaila Khaled and Palestinian illustrator Baraa Alawoor, among others — as well as publishers, authors, and illustrators new to the prize.

In the early reader category, prize judges shortlisted three books: مخدة (A Pillow) by Anas Abu Rahma, illustrated by Lubna Taha, and published by Dinason from Palestine; ميزتي (About Me) by Amal Nasser, illustrated by Zeineb Ben Haouala, and published by Kalimat from the United Arab Emirates; and حقل الأزهار (A Field of Flowers) by Nasser Al Dosari, illustrated by Menna Allah Abdallah, and published by Kalila wa Dimna Publishing from Jordan.

In the picture book category, there were five shortlistees: إلا شيئًا واحدًا (Except One Thing) by Yazan Massarwa, illustrated by Amanda Mijangos, and published by Kalimat from United Arab Emirates; أي شيء (Anything) by Daniah Almarzouq, illustrated by Hisham Suleiman, and published by Noon Books: Nahed Al Shawa Cultural from Canada; سيصل الفيل بعد قليل (The Elephant’s Coming Soon) by Dr. Fatmah Al-Zahra bin Arab, illustrated by Shaima Zarei, and published by Dar Almuheet Publishing House from United Arab Emirates; قناع الغريب (The Stranger’s Mask) by Aisha Al Harthy, illustrated by Baraa Alawoor, and published by Yanbow Al Kitab from Morocco; and ماما وجدتي (Mom and Grandma) by Nour El Hoda Mohamed, illustrated by Sohaila Khaled, and published by Raheeq Al-Kotob House for Publishing and Distribution from Egypt.

In the poetry category, judges also shortlisted five books: أشجار تلوِّن الحياة (Trees Color Life) by Mohammed Jameel, illustrated by Bassent Dawoud, and published by Jabal Amman Publishers from Jordan; الذهب من تراث العرب (The Riches of Arab History) by Muhannad Al-Aqous, illustrated by Omar Lafi, and published by Noon Books: Nahed Al Shawa Cultural Foundation from Canada; بالونتي الحمراء (My Red Balloon) by Khadija Al Mufarraji, illustrated by Marah Taamari, and published by Red Fox Library from Oman; حلم أخضر (A Green Dream) by Mahmoud Oqab, illustrated by Ahmed Reda Kamel, and published by Nahdet Misr Publishing House from Egypt; and طائرتي الورقية (My Kite) by Assia Abdellaoui, illustrated by Sherin Mustafa, and published by Red Fox Library from Oman.

In the category of YA literature, which also includes middle-grade literature, judges shortlisted three books: ابنة غواص اللؤلؤ وعقد البَعو (A Pearl Diver’s Daughter and the Cowrie Necklace) by Maitha Abdulwahab Al Khayat, illustrated by Hessa Al Muhairi, and published by Ajyaal from United Arab Emirates; كعك جابر (Jaber’s Cakes) by Faiha Nabulsi, illustrated by Rama Dakkak and published by Roya for Publishing and Distribution from Turkey; and لغز اللافندر (The Mystery of the Lavender) by Abir Adel Ahmed, illustrated by Sama Shabout, and published by Dar Al Yasmine for Publishing and Distribution from Jordan.

And finally, in the chapter book category, there were five shortlistees: الآنسة إلهام والخريف (Ms. Ilham & the Autumn Leaves) by Dr. Suzan Alhelo, illustrated by Basma Hosam, and published by Al Salwa Publishers from Jordan; أين سأتخلص منك يا حصينة؟ (Oh, Where Am I Going to Get Rid of You, Hasinah?) by Salma Al Lahham, illustrated by Baraa Al Awoor, and published by Jabal Amman Publishers from Jordan; حارسة اللؤلؤة  (The Pearls’ Guard) by Nardeen Abunab’ah, illustrated by Walid Quteineh, and published by Dar Al Manhal Publishers from Jordan; زهرة الياسمين (Jasmine Flower) by Lamis Sa’ada Khadija Asali, illustrated by Sarah Farag, and published by Roya for Publishing and Distribution from Turkey; and كنز الشبهانة (The Treasure of Shabhanah) by Noura Al Khouri, illustrated by Abdulla Alsharhan, and published by Ajyaal from United Arab Emirates.

You can find more about the titles on the prize’s Twitter account, @EtisalatAward.