Today's Edition
AL AIN (WAM)
The 15th edition of the Al Ain Book Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has seen a remarkable turnout from children eager to explore educational books and inspiring stories, reflecting the growing passion for knowledge and reading among younger generations.
In the vibrant halls of the festival, children roam between the booths of various publishers decorated with appealing colours and featuring books with stunning illustrations, allowing young visitors to carefully select stories that spark their imagination and educational books that open new doors for discovery.
The children exhibited an interest in classic stories that narrate the adventures of legendary heroes, as well as interactive books that blend learning with play, while books on topics such as technology and the environment recorded a spike in interest from older children.
Young visitors at the festival expressed their love for stories that take them to imaginative worlds, allowing them to learn valuable lessons in courage and friendship. They also shared their preference for interactive books that combine education and entertainment, particularly those that explore topics related to nature and space.
Bassem Salim from Scroll Education Books, and a participant in Al Ain Book Festival, asserted that the significant turnout of children purchasing books “reflects a growing awareness among families”.
“We have prepared a special collection of educational books and illustrated stories suitable for all ages, and we have received a warm welcome from both children and their parents,” he added.
For his part, Fouad Ali from Dar Al Qalam noted that books combining education and entertainment are highly popular among children. “Throughout our participation at Al Ain Book Festival, we made sure to offer content that sparks children’s curiosity and motivates them to discover their world through stories centred around scientific and environmental adventures,” he explained.
Organisers of Al Ain Book Festival, which was held at Al Ain Square - Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, made a notable effort to attract publishers specialised in children’s and young adult books, in line with the festival’s vision to promote a culture of reading among younger generations.
The efforts made in designing children’s books, both in terms of illustrations and interactive content, along with the attractive content itself, have played a key role in making them the preferred choice for families visiting the festival, which reflects their passion for reading and sharing knowledge in an environment full of innovation and creativity.
Al Ain Book Festival’s focus extended beyond providing educational books and mesmerising stories for children; it also offered comprehensive programmes dedicated to children and youth and designed to expand their culture and develop their skills in an environment that blends entertainment with education. These programmes include innovative and diverse activities that engage participants and aim to enhance their intellectual and creative growth.
