Deadline for entries is 31 August

Sharjah - 23 August 2010: The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) has announced that the deadline for publishers wanting to participate in the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children's Literature to submit their applications, is 31 August.

The winner of the AED 1 million prize will be announced in October, on the sidelines of the Sharjah International Book Fair. 50 percent of the prize will be awarded to the winning publisher, while the remaining 50 percent will be divided between the writer and illustrator, as per the decision of the jury.

Last year, Lebanon-based publisher Dar Al Hadaeq won the AED 1 million prize for its book Ana Oheb (I Love), written by Nabiha Muhaidali and illustrated by Nadeen Saidani.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, Coordinator of the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children's Literature, said: "The Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children's Literature is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It was established under the directions of H.E Sheikha Budour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the UAEBBY and the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), who is continuously striving to invest in the welfare of our children in order to ensure a solid foundation for better children's literature."

Al Aqroubi underlined the increasing interest shown by both Arabic and International publishers, a fact reflected by the 35 percent increase in entries in comparison to the total number of participants in last year's competition.

The event's Coordinator confirmed that the applications received thus far by the organizing committee include a variety of books with rich literal content, as well as the latest collections of educational, cultural and entertaining books, including some books written specifically for participation in the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children's Literature.    

Al Aqroubi commended the high quality of the entries submitted to the organizing committee in terms of themes, content, and compliance with the competition's terms and conditions. She called on publishers from all over the world to participate in what is considered as the most important award of its kind in the region, encouraging them to compete for the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children's Literature.     

-Ends-

© Press Release 2010