
Voices from the World of Arabic Children’s Books
Here in the UK we have an impressive history of publishing for children with attractive, well designed, highly illustrated books designed to catch the eye and attract a reader. Since Walter Crane, Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway, whose works were printed by the innovative Edmund Evans, we have enjoyed a stream of writers and illustrators who have become embedded in our consciousness. And this continues as publishers once more present quality picture books and novels to children of all ages. We have a wealth on our doorstep. The criticism that British publishing is very insular has some truth. What about the wider world? Is it, perhaps, easiest to look across the Channel to Europe but not further afield? The Middle East perhaps?
In this latest issue of IBBYLink we look at publishing across the Arab World., and wonder why we are not seeing some of the books mentioned here in translation. However, it is also important that we see them in Arabic. And this can cause a problem – how to identify them, what books are recommended, who are the publishers?
Hasmig Chahinian with IBBY France has curated the catalogue 100 books for Children in Arabic which can be found on the IBBY Europe website. She talks about the need and the motivation, how the books are identified and the collaboration with publishers across the Arab world. It is an inspiration – and something needed here. Luckily it can be accessed in English as well as French; a truly inclusive project that is firmly grounded in IBBY ideals.
Another such project comes from Germany through the International Youth Library in Munich. Children’s Literature in Arabic was a three-year project to look at the need in Germany for books in Arabic, how to identify the best and how to promote them and recommend translation so that librarians and teachers could feel confident in recommending and using them, though as Jochen Weber points out, acquisition is indeed a problem. The project has been very successful and resulted in a series of annual catalogues – all annotated – that can be obtained from the Library.
These are projects near to home, perhaps. What about that more distant seeming world? Who are the people behind the creation of the books that are featured in these catalogues? What are children and young readers across the Arabic-speaking world finding to read? Yasmine Motawy talks about the changes she has seen in publishing there, especially in picture books – the books reaching the youngest and inspiring early imaginations, creating readers and creators of the future. In her article we meet some of these creators, putting faces to names. It is such a positive message.
Creators need publishers. Here we meet two inspirational women who have both set up and now manage two very successful publishing houses. Shereen Kredieh manages the firm she founded in 1998 – Asala Publishing. She describes her journey from a childhood growing up in a war-torn Lebanon, the importance of reading and stories to her, her very impressive academic career leading to her passion – publishing quality books for children while teaching and mentoring students who will follow her. Embedded in her work are the ideals of IBBY – she is an active and inspirational member.
Running the company she set up, Al Salwa Publishers, is Salwa Alshaksir. She describes her experience in this world and her guiding passion – as is Shereen Kredieh’s – to bring beautifully designed and illustrated books to young readers. A look at her catalogue demonstrates her success. The covers are eye catching, enticing. How can we get hold of them? What about translations?
I have already mentioned the articles from Hasmig Chahinian, highlighting the catalogue 100 Books for Children in Arabic – a catalogue that will be regularly updated, and from Jochen Weber in which he presents the work done by the International Youth Library in Munich and the catalogues it produces.
However, prizes are always a great way to highlight excellence, attract attention – and inspire creators. We are very familiar with the concept. We are not unique. It is exciting to hear that the shortlist for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is out – do have a look: https://www.zayedaward.ae/en/media.center/news.aspx.
I asked the 2018 Laureate, Hessa Al Mehairi, about the prize and its importance. The Award received a record breaking 3,151 submissions from 60 countries this year. Further raising the profile and giving publishers the opportunity to showcase their books are the book fairs like the Sharjah International Book Fair – a world to explore.
I am delighted that IBBYLink is able to lift the curtain on this vibrant publishing environment which we certainly need to know more about.
Ferelith Hordon

Choosing and Promoting Good Quality Children’s Books in Arabic
Promoting recommended titles in Arabic for children in Europe; an initiative curated by IBBY France to make Arabic literature for young readers across Europe

Al Salwa Books
Al Salwa Books, the journey to establishing a publishing house to specialise in Arabic content for children and young adults across the Arab world

Publishing in the Arabic World: A Personal Account
A personal view on publishing in the Arabic world from Shereen Kredieh, founder of Asala Publishers

Children’s Literature in Arabic Language
An account of a project set up by the International Youth Library to provide an insight in Arabic language children’s literature and recommend the most suitable for libraries and schools

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award
An interview with Hessa Al Mehairi and her publisher,Ali Al Shaali, on winning The Sheikh Zayid Book Award, its effect and importance

What Comes After the Wave?
Yasmin Motawy offers a view on the state of publishing for young people in the Arabic world