SHARJAH, UAE- “There was an apple on a tree, very delicious, and one day it fell. The apple was terrified, thinking a bird would eat it,” so began a story written by a Grade 3 student at the “Storybook making” workshop on the second day of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah.
According to the trainers Nandar and Naza, the workshop offers participants the chance to create their own personal storybooks, capturing unforgettable moments and experiences, or documenting special events from their lives. “We provide them with a variety of materials such as a dummy book, acrylic markers, stickers and other decorative elements, which each participant can use to design and illustrate their story. The project is meant to enhance their imagination and creative skills.”
The children’s stories were varied, ranging from a princess who lived with her parents in a small wooden house to a rabbit who loved carrots but was being eyed by an old fox looking for a meal. Another young participant wrote about her daily routine. For young Abdullah Imran Yousef, who attempted to create a battle zone with forts and flags, the workshop was an extension of an activity he loved to do at home.
Some of the children wrote prolifically in Arabic while others concentrated on sticking pictures or drawing images. Whatever the genre they chose, it brought pages to life and they left with a picture storybook completed in 30 minutes.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, SIBF 2026 hosts 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. The 12-day event features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic activities, including literary discussions, author interactions, workshops, theatrical performances, the Thriller Festival and the Cookery Corner.
