Stellar International Cast Announced for Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival

As part of its line-up of literary stars, the 9th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) has confirmed that some of the genre’s best-loved and most-renowned writers from around the world will be taking part in this year’s event.

Featuring bestselling writers from five continents, the Festival organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), runs from 19 to 29 April at Sharjah Expo Centre.

Guests include #1 New York Times bestseller and award-winning young adults author Gayle Forman; another New York bestseller and author of 24 children’s books, Kwame Alexander; Illustrator Korky Paul, best known for his multi-million selling series, Winnie the Witch; and award-winning American children’s authors, Amy Plum and Katherine Rundell.

Other well-known names in children’s literature who will make an appearance include, award-winning poet from the UK, Joshua Seigal; Turkish writer, editor and lyricist, Cigdem Kaplangi, who captures nature’s beauty in children’s literature; established Indian children’s books authors – Anushka Ravishankar, Shobha Viswanath (Co-founder of Karadi Tales); Nandini Nayar and Nishita Bhayani; Andy Seed from the UK, a humour specialist who over 20 titles and to his credit; and British children’s and YA author, Chris Higgins, best known for the My Funny Family series.  

Children’s author and ceramist, Saman Shamsie, and Fauzia Minallah, whose picture book Sadako’s Prayer won a Hiroshima Citizen’s Award for Peace Education, will represent Pakistan; while author, illustrator and architect, Jomike Tejido; bestselling children’s authors, May Tobias-Papa and Luis P. Gatmaitan are joining from the Philippines.

UK illustrator and author, Jason Ford, will speak about the role books play in developing children’s tastes with a special focus on comics and superheroes. UK-based children’s writer and author of the highly-acclaimed Dave Pigeon series, Swapna Haddow, will be seen discussing ways to make reading fun for children and the role of heritage in children’s literature. The illustrator of Haddow’s second book in the Dave Pigeon series, Sheena Dempsey, is on the visitors’ list too, who will be throwing light on the importance of nurturing creativity in children.

Bestselling author and illustrator with 40 children’s books on her credo, Frané Lessac; and author, teacher, librarian and bookshop owner, Damian Morgan, from Australia will also be part of the festival. Russian poet and award-winning children’s author, Ludmila Sukhostavets, best known for The Obstinate Princess and her contribution to the Russian literary movement will speak about the importance of reading.  

Writer, broadcaster, and Falmouth University lecturer, Michael Bird from the UK will discuss non-fiction for children and narrative history at SCRF 2017. The author of Very Helpful Hedgehog and Moonlight Bear, Rosie Wellesley from the UK will share insights on art as a means of communication and exploration.

One of the most influential Turkish children’s and YA writers, Mavisel Yener, has over 100 titles to her credit. She has been nominated for the 2018 Hans Christian Andersen Award, and will speak at SCRF 2017 on Turkish literature international writing for children. Award-winning writer and storyteller, Veronika Charles will be joining the Festival all the way from Canada, who will explore the topic of the changing nature of children’s writing and storytelling in the digital age.

SCRF is hosting the above-mentioned authors as part of its mission to support and develop children’s reading through meeting the writers and listening to their unique experiences.