Doha: Mah and Me, published by Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (BQFP), has won Best Story from the Arab World’s premier children’s literature prize, the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature.
The winners of the seventh annual awards were announced during the opening ceremony of Sharjah International Book Fair on November 4.
Written and illustrated by Ibtihaj Al Harthi, the book is a sensitive exploration of life and loss, as seen through the eyes of a beloved grandson, Azzan.
“As a first time author, I was happy to hear that Mah and Me received the award,” said Al Harthi.
“I feel encouraged that both judges and my publisher believed in the story even though it handles a sensitive topic normally avoided in children’s literature.
“My biggest hope is that children will read the story and that it opens up a safe space for parent-child discussions of deeper, more sensitive topics,” Al Harthi added. “The award exemplifies the very best Arabic children’s literature has to offer,” said Arend Kuster, Acting Director, Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation.
“We are thrilled that our author was recognised for her work and proud that BQFP was able to help launch her incredible story to the world.”
In Mah and Me, we read along as Azzan’s mother tries to answer his questions with honesty and sensitivity.
Children dealing with loss and caregivers guiding their little ones through these emotions will find the book a wonderful companion that will soon become a treasured friend.
This is a book that won our hearts at BQFP from the first time we read the submission,” said Hala Saadani, Head of Children’s and Young Adult Books, BQFP. “It was a joy to work with such a creative person as Ibtihaj, who brought out the best of all our team efforts.”
The story has been published in Arabic and English by BQFP.
The award aim to develop Arab children’s books by motivating publishers to release high quality books in terms of content and design and inspire, educate and motivate the next generation of young Arabs.
This year’s edition saw competition between 97 entries in children’s books and young adult categories from 10 countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine, in addition to the UK and Canada.
Sixty-two books were in the children’s category and 35 in the young adult category.
Based in Oman, Al Harthi is an illustrator, artist and an author of children’s books.
She focuses on fairy tales using the graphic novel format and traditional Omani folktales.
Her artwork is inspired by magical realism and infused by the everyday magic seen in the life in Omani villages.
Mah and Me is Ibtihaj’s first book as author and an illustrator. She lives and works in Muscat.
The Peninsula
