Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation

Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Children’s Literature: Stories that Speak to the Arab Child

Recognizing childhood as the foundation of strong societies and literature as a tool for nurturing creativity and critical thinking, Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation launched the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Children’s Literature in 2006. The award serves as an annual platform that encourages Arab writers to produce rich, high-quality Arabic literary content that meets children’s psychological and cultural needs, reflects their identity, and stimulates their imagination.

The award aims to support the development of children’s literature in the Arab world by providing contemporary Arabic content rooted in linguistic beauty and constructive imagination, elevating children’s literary taste and encouraging them to make books their first companion.

Theme of This Year’s Edition

This year’s theme targets children aged 6 to 8, highlighting experiences of embarrassment and bullying in the early school years.

Literary Categories:

Eligible literary forms include:

Story: A child’s first gateway to literature, Stories nurture imagination and build a warm relationship between the child and the book.
Poetry: The language of rhythm and emotion, poetry connects children’s feelings to their language and enriches their emotional vocabulary.
Novel: A broader space for young readers to explore reality and imagination, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.
Play Script: Where literature meets performance, blending dialogue with action to offer children an immersive experience that stimulates imagination and broadens horizons.

Children’s literature plays a vital role in developing language and communication skills, as children’s books are rich in new expressions that expand vocabulary and enhance a child’s ability to express themselves.