UAE makes debut in silent book publishing with UAEBBY

SHARJAH, 22nd May, 2018 (WAM) -- The UAE has just achieved a new literary milestone by bringing out its first three home-grown silent books. Supported by the UAE Board on Books for Young People, UAEBBY, the three Emirati wordless picture books elevate the UAE’s international stature as a hub of literary innovation and appeal, especially in the children’s books industry. The three titles include "Night and Day" written by Emirati writer and illustrator Alia Al Shamsi and published by Al Hudhud Publishing and Distribution, and "Fly" written and illustrated by Alia Al Badi and published by Al Fulk Translation and Publishing. In addition to "Oh! It’s Becoming Bigger," written and illustrated by Aisha Al Badi and published by Al Fulk Translation and Publishing. The three books signal the fruition of a series of training workshops the UAEBBY hosted as part of the UAE’s first-ever Silent Book Exhibition it held last year, which saw the participation of numerous Emirati and Arab authors and illustrators interested in creating original material in the genre of wordless picture books, which was an uncharted literary territory in the UAE until now. The UAEBBY’s support to these books is in line with its commitment to developing the capabilities of illustrators and writers of children’s literature in the UAE, and encouraging them to enrich their knowledge and experience in the field by motivating them to explore story ideas that resonate with children’s imaginations regardless of their language or reading abilities. Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY, said, "We are happy to have facilitated the release of the first Emirati silent books, which are such a powerful medium of communication with children, no matter their age, background or literacy levels. The images in these books spark the children’s imaginations and are open to their unique interpretation. We hope this initiative will motivate several other Emirati writers and illustrators to give these kinds of books with unrivalled human and social dimensions a try, and through their work, they will help build bridges between diverse civilisations and cultures." The Silent Books project started out as an initiative by the International Board on Books for Young People, IBBY, themed "Silent Books, from the world to Lampedusa and back," in 2012 in Lampedusa, the largest Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea and the prime gateway for African and Middle Eastern refugees making their way into Europe. It was aimed at providing refugee children on the island with a collection of wordless picture books to flip through, interact with and enjoy, irrespective of their mother tongue.