The UAEBBY has been introducing and developing a broad range of unique projects and initiatives. Some of these initiatives focus on providing support and training to publishers, authors, and illustrators, with the goal of enriching Arabic children's literature. Meanwhile, others directly engage children through various activities, including organizing reading sessions and facilitating book discussions with young adults.
UAEBBY Initiatives
Books Made in the UAE
Launched in 2012, "Books Made in UAE" isa project that aims to foster the creation of children's and young adult books crafted by Emirati writers and illustrators. These books are designed to authentically mirror the cultural values and interests of the youth in the UAE.
ExploreREAD. DREAM. CREATE
In 2013, UAEBBY introduced the 'Read. Dream. Create' campaign, aimed at fostering a stronger connection between children and books. This initiative serves to emphasize the vital role of reading within UAE society, nurturing children's abilities to read, write, innovate, and create through the medium of children's storybooks. The campaign is not only dedicated to enhancing children's and young adults' interpretation skills but also equipping them with the necessary tools to transform their ideas into captivating stories. Furthermore, it actively engages in organizing a variety of activities, including reading sessions at schools and public venues, and hosts an annual competition that celebrates young story creators and illustrators from across the Emirates.
Explore
Kan Yama Kan
"Kan Yama Kan," derived from the phrase often used to commence Arabic children's stories, is an initiative launched in 2015. Its primary mission is to provide high-quality books to children residing in areas that face challenges in accessing books due to various social or natural circumstances, including unrest and conflicts.
ExploreGuest of Honour
The UAEBBY's "Guest of Honour" initiative, which began in 2015, strives to foster new connections with various IBBY sections, providing an opportunity for local talent to gain insights from international experts, all while promoting a culture of reading within the diverse communities of the UAE.
Explore
Bibliotherapy
The never-ending gifts of books extend beyond providing readers with information or entertainment. They provide a sanctuary where individuals can safely explore the world around them, untangle complex internal processes, and potentially find a path to healing from trauma. Therefore, the UAEBBY places significant emphasis on promoting bibliotherapy, the practice of using books as therapeutic tools to address personal issues and challenges.
ExploreSilent Book
UAEBBY has been at the forefront of promoting silent books in the UAE and the wider region, playing a key role in developing the silent book industry and fostering a deeper appreciation for visual storytelling. Through its innovative initiatives, UAEBBY has organized exhibitions, workshops, training programs, and collaborative sessions with various entities to explore the limitless potential of silent books. These efforts have not only resulted in the publication of the first silent books in the UAE but have also cultivated a vibrant community of creators passionate about this unique and expressive art form.
Explore
International Children's Book Day (ICBD) Celebration
Every year on April 2nd, which coincides with Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, the International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is joyously celebrated worldwide. This special day is dedicated to kindling a love for reading and drawing attention to the significance of children's books.
ExploreIBBY Initiatives
Hans Christian Andersen Award
Every other year, the IBBY presents the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award to a living author and illustrator, recognizing their remarkable and globally acknowledged contributions to children's literature. The nominations for this award are submitted by IBBY's national sections. A distinguished international jury of children's literature specialists is responsible for selecting the deserving recipients. In the context of the UAE, the UAEBBY plays a crucial role in overseeing the submission of nominations from the UAE for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
ExploreIBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award
The IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award was established in 1986 during the IBBY Congress held in Tokyo. This biennial award recognizes and celebrates the exceptional efforts of two groups or institutions that have demonstrated a profound commitment to fostering reading promotion programs for children and young people, leaving a lasting and positive impact on these communities. The award is generously sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper company, and the recipients are honoured with a cash prize of US$10,000 along with a prestigious diploma. In the UAE context, UAEBBY plays an instrumental role by submitting nominations from the UAE for this distinguished award.
Explore
The IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award
The IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award is a prestigious award established through a collaboration between the Shenzhen iRead Foundation and IBBY. Its purpose is to inspire a genuine commitment to the promotion of reading, with the aspiration of spreading this dedication to individuals and organisations worldwide. This award is presented biennially. Every two years, IBBY calls upon its National Sections to submit nominations, seeking to identify outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional efforts in expanding and enhancing children's reading. The ultimate goal is to encourage further investments by individuals, organisations, and governments in initiatives that promote educational innovation, provide broader access to children's books, and elevate the profile of children's reading promotion. These efforts are recognized as pivotal tools in fostering global, social, economic, and cultural development.
ExploreThe IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities
All young people need books they can read and enjoy. This includes those with disabilities. IBBY increases opportunities for people of all abilities to read independently by highlighting accessible books in a variety of formats, such as Braille, Picture Communication Symbols, sign language, Easy-to-Read language, tactile or textured illustrations, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and other design features.
ExploreTo participate, please download and fill out the nomination form available. Once completed, kindly upload them back. Including any additional files such as pdf file of the book. Click Here
IBBY Honour List
The IBBY Honour List is a biennial compilation of exceptional, recently published books that pay tribute to writers, illustrators, and translators from IBBY member countries. These titles are meticulously selected by the National Sections of IBBY. In the United Arab Emirates, UAEBBY takes part in this process by nominating one outstanding book in each of the three categories: writing, illustration, and translation. These books are featured in travelling exhibitions that journey across the globe.
ExploreTo participate, please download and fill out the nomination forms available. Once completed, kindly upload them back. Click Here
IBBY-Yamada Fund
The Child’s Right to Become a Reader In 2005, IBBY launched a campaign to draw attention to the right of every child to become a reader. With the generous funding of the Yamada Bee Farm, the IBBY-Yamada Fund was established to provide funds for IBBY projects that help develop a book culture for children in all regions of the world.
Explore
Silent Books – Final Destination Lampedusa
Every two years, the IBBY project "Silent Books, from the World to Lampedusa and Back" brings together a unique collection of wordless picture books from across the globe. This initiative aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and create meaningful connections among children, transcending language barriers. Since its launch in 2012, the project has played a vital role in establishing the first library on Lampedusa, serving both local children and young immigrants.
ExploreJOIN US
The UAE Board on Books for Young People | UAEBBY
The UAEBBY was officially established as a non-profit organization on January 1, 2010.
© 2026 All rights reserved.
Innovated by Innovation Box