More than 80 authors, intellectuals, artists and researchers in children’s literature converged at the Sharjah Expo Centre to join in the 5th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). Dubbed as one of the largest cultural extravaganzas dedicated to children’s literature and culture in the UAE and the region, the 10-day SCRF will have more than 450 events designed to support children’s scientific and cognitive development. Specialists and experts in children’s literature from across the globe have been invited to assist and moderate the children in all the activities. Famous authors like Terence Blacker, Chetan Bhagat, Tom Banks, Taghred Chandab and others will be attending the ten-day children’s book extravaganza.
General Coordinator of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Hind Lenaid said Arab and foreign publishing houses will take part in the event with over 20,000 printed, audio-visual and electronic titles. SCRF is being held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, with the support of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.
Organised by the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the 5th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, which will go on until May 4, is being held in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah. The SCRF also features an event titled ‘Tafanin’ that teaches about the arts of literary expression, storytelling and story and literary writing, as well as storytelling under the supervision of specialists.