Children’s books help ‘shape values of future generations’

Children’s books are more than stories; they are powerful tools for shaping the values and awareness of future generations.

This was the central theme of a panel discussion titled Nature stories at the ongoing Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) 2025, where acclaimed Arab and international authors explored how literature can inspire young readers to connect with nature and embrace environmental responsibility.

The discussion, which hosted Brendan Wenzel, Ihab Al-Qastawi, and Fatima Salem Al Suwaidi, with broadcaster Nadia Swan moderating it, offered insights into how storytelling can bridge young readers and the natural world, instilling a sense of wonder while subtly encouraging responsibility and care for the environment.

Brendan Wenzel, a New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator who received a Caldecott Honour for ‘They All Saw a Cat’, reflected on how personal experiences with wildlife shaped his creative journey. He spoke of how observing birds at a feeder as a child sparked questions about their lives and migration patterns, which later inspired him to become an author.

“I try to help children see the world through animals’ eyes. Once they feel that connection, empathy and care for nature often follow naturally,” he said. Wenzel also highlighted the power of illustration to nurture curiosity and make space for imagination for young readers to engage with important topics like endangered species and conservation.

For her part, Fatima Al Suwaidi, an Emirati author with over 20 children’s books to her name, spoke about how her work draws on the UAE’s diverse ecosystems and uses them as a backdrop to teach children about nature.

“My stories are rooted in the landscapes and traditions of the UAE, where nature and heritage come together. I aim to help children see the environment as personal, familiar, and worth protecting.”

She explained how familiar cultural references help young readers connect emotionally with the stories.

By portraying a grandfather who fishes or hunts and a grandmother who knits wool and crafts by hand, she creates a sense of continuity between generations, highlighting how traditional lifestyles were deeply tied to the natural world.

This connection, she noted, helps children appreciate the value of their environment through the lens of family and heritage.

Author and education expert Ihab Al-Qastawi, whose works are included in school curricula across several Arab countries, stressed that lessons and messages should not be delivered in a didactic way but instead woven into narratives that entertain and inform.

“We can guide children toward protecting the environment without preaching. Stories that are playful yet based on science are often the most effective,” he said.

Al-Qastawi’s book Turtles Clean the Beach uses humour and imaginative scenarios to teach young readers about pollution, endangered species, and small actions they can take to make a difference, such as collecting plastic waste.

Separately, a simple pencil took centre stage at the SCRF 2025, as children gathered to listen to a powerful tale of self-discovery, difference, and acceptance.

Written by Sabah Deebi, illustrated by Hussein Al Rabaie, and translated by Sarah Abdullah, “The Pencil Who Found Himself” follows a pencil that feels excluded by a more colourful group of crayons, paintbrushes, and markers. The pencil’s emotional journey through a carpenter’s shop unfolds as a metaphor for embracing one’s unique purpose and strength.

Presented by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, the storytelling session was part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about bullying and diversity in subtle, child-friendly ways.

“The objective was to highlight the experience of being different without explicitly using the word ‘bullying,’” explained Fatima AlBloushi, case manager at the foundation.

“By using the pencil as a symbol, our intention was to help children understand that we all have our own strengths, even if we don’t look or act the same. It’s about learning to celebrate and embrace each other’s differences.”

She added, “Books like these open up conversations. Children see themselves in the pencil – uncertain at first, but full of potential. It’s a reminder that everyone belongs.”