Books body to raise quality of children's literature

A UAE chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) has been finalised.

The unanimous approval to a membership application submitted by Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Emirates Publishers Association and the Founder and Director of Kalimat was made public yesterday.

The UAE Chapter of IBBY aims to promote understanding and to facilitate the exchange of information through children's books, to encourage and develop a wide array of literary and artistic works for children.

It also organises competitions, seminars and workshops for those involved in the field of children's literature, encourages the publication and distribution of quality children's books, especially in developing areas.

"The establishment of a UAE National Chapter of the IBBY serves as recognition of the importance of this production on both the regional and international levels," said Sheikha Budoor.

She said the body would offer a number of activities and services to help raise the standards of the children's literature publishing industry, to develop an early love of reading in our children and to encourage parents and other adults to read to children.

"We will participate in the organisation and judging of various literary competitions and support initiatives that aim to provide high quality educational and entertaining Arabic books, as well as providing support and training for persons and organizations involved with children and children's books.

"Our focus being to promote reading as a treat for children, we will develop an annual shortlist of books to be distributed to schools and libraries free of charge and co-ordinate with the relevant ministries and governments to develop public and school libraries.

IBBY encourages the nationwide establishment of public libraries and strives to stimulate the translation of high quality children's books both from and into Arabic and helps to raise the standard of children's literature in the UAE to the highest international levels.

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