Books and libraries are here to stay despite the overarching influence of the digital world and the emotional connection with physical books cannot be replaced by hand-held devices, agreed three distinguished personalities involved with books and libraries at the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) that is taking place in Expo Centre Sharjah. Moderated by radio presenter Louis Denham, the panel discussion “The Importance of Libraries in Promoting Academic Success” had Sohini Mitra, Penguin Random House India publisher of Children and Young Adult books; Cathy Camper, Arab-American author, librarian and artist; and Flora Majdalawi, Jordan-based author and…
Author: Kashan Tumsil
A lively buzz of creativity hummed through the air at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2024) on Friday as children as young as eight transformed into budding authors at the Wooden Books workshop. With vibrant imaginations in full swing, the young writers crafted tales that stretched from African savannas to the bustling cities of the UAE. One eager young author, ten-year-old Isra Mohammed from Sharjah, was filling the pages of her book with her story of Layla, a warm-hearted African elephant on a quest for friendship in unfamiliar lands. “Layla is very kind and friendly. She’s come all…
Aspiring young chefs had their fill of culinary adventure and fun with cheese and dough as they learnt how to make pizza muffins as part of a cookery workshop at the 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) on Friday. “This was meant to be a hands-on, cheesy, and yet utterly fun adventure in the world of culinary creativity for the young visitors,” said instructor Lamia Msallam who showed the select group of children how to make pizza muffins from scratch with dough and add their favourite toppings. “Cooking is not only a valuable life skill but also a wonderful…
An interesting and kid-friendly version of the famous Japanese sushi has been a highlight of the cookery workshops at the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), whose 15th annual edition is running until May 12 in Expo Centre Sharjah. Armed with rolling pins, over a dozen young chefs set about flattening bread slices after chopping off their crust; then they squirted blobs of cream cheese on each slice and spread it to make the perfect bed for a thin slice of cucumber, sprinkled zaatar to spice up the rendition before rolling and securing it with a toothpick.…
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), a highlight in the UAE’s annual cultural calendar, has returned for its 15th edition. Spanning 12 days and boasting over 1,500 activities, this festival runs until May 12 and promises an unforgettable experience at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Here are five reasons why you should attend SCRF this weekend: A theatrical wonderland: The SCRF transcends the typical reading festival by offering a rich tapestry of sensory delights. This weekend, immerse yourself in the enchanting world of theatre with performances that promise to mesmerise. Enjoy the melodious voice of Arab sensation Rasha Rizk as…
Menassah Distribution Company and the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) have signed a memorandum of understanding to gain access to the list of winning books from the Etisalat Children’s Book Award, organised by the Board and sponsored by E&, the world’s leading technology and investment group. This agreement aims to forge partnerships for distributing these award-winning books, thereby improving accessibility for children and young people within and beyond the United Arab Emirates. The signing took place during the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) 2024, continuing until May 12 at the Expo Center Sharjah. The agreement grants Menassah…
The 12-day Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival has dedicated a series of talks to the well-being of children It’s no accident that bookstores are now showcasing an array of colouring and sketching books, each championing its benefits as a powerful stress reliever. Art indeed serves a critical role in personal healing, a sentiment echoed by panellists at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) on Thursday. Discussing the myriad benefits of engaging in art, and encouraging children to explore various artistic mediums throughout their educational journey, Dr Sama’a Al Hashimi, a distinguished writer and academic from Bahrain, stated, “Art can significantly…
Reliving the Red Riding Hood adventure turned out to be a fun and healthy ride for children attending the cookery session titled “Little Red Riding Hood’s Nature Feast” at the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), the largest celebration of knowledge, creativity, art and innovation of its kind in the region, now taking place in Expo Centre Sharjah. Preparing a healthy meal in an interactive culinary experience under the guidance of chef Svetlana Kuzvetsova and eating it too was all that 6-10 year olds could ask for. Participants explored nature’s bounty – lettuce, cucumber, yellow capsicum and…
Young cinema lovers and aspiring filmmakers received a crash course in movie making at the ongoing Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival on Thursday as they learnt all about handling the camera and what goes behind the scenes. Master instructor Chloe Gardner, who’s flown in all the way from the Australian city of Adelaide to train young learners at the 12-day annual festival, said: “Filmmaking is a powerful medium for storytelling, and by teaching young people the basics of cameras and how angles work, we can help them unleash their creativity and express themselves in new and exciting ways.” The interactive workshop…
The ongoing Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) for many may be all about books, animation and superheroes. But for some of the world’s most promising illustrators for children’s books, this 12-day event being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at the Sharjah Expo Centre until May 12 is arguably the biggest stage to be on. Take Laura Merz of Finland, for example. Her stunning ink and digital art piece The Last Drop is one of the several shortlisted artworks at this year’s Sharjah Exhibition for Children’s Book Illustrations that’s hosting dozens of select works of artists like her this…