The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature (EAACL), organised by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) and supported by Etisalat, has offered public and private schools in the UAE a curated collection of titles which have previously won the prestigious prize with the aim of making quality literature accessible to UAE’s schoolchildren.

A part of the award’s strategy to cultivate a love for reading among students, these award-winning titles rank among the best Arabic literary works for children and are produced by some of the most creative and popular authors, illustrators, and publishers from around the world.

The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature aims to support the book industry in the Arab World with quality Arabic books for children and youth and has brought about a paradigm shift in the lives of authors, illustrators and publishers who seek to create a positive impact in the field.

Abdul Aziz Hamad Taryam, CEO Adviser and General Manager, Northern Emirates, Etisalat, said that the UAE’s wise leadership has always encouraged inculcating the habit of reading among young people through the donation of quality literature to schools as well as public libraries, especially during book fairs and cultural events. It is a part of the nation’s continuous efforts to build on human capital and transform libraries into beacons of knowledge and innovation.

He noted that supporting school libraries with these books would not only increase their reach, but also expose students as well as teachers to the excellent Arabic literature available for them to enjoy. It also aligns with Etisalat’s commitment to support initiatives that aim to improve the life of children and young people who are the future builders of the nation, and invest in their capabilities.

For her part, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), said: “It is with great pleasure that we present this curated collection of Etisalat Award-winning books to welcome students back to school after a prolonged absence due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We are sure the children will enjoy reading these delightful as well as insightful books and love the beautiful illustrations. We are also hopeful these books will revive the culture of reading paper-format books and wean them away from the electronic gadgets they have come to rely heavily on.”