The long-awaited Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF) has arrived to thrill, educate, and amuse children and young people of all ages. The 12th version of the region's biggest literary and cultural festival for children will kick off tomorrow, May 19 (Wednesday), at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

The yearly spectacular, is hosted under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, involves a large number of children's participation in the highly renowned interactive activities.

SCRF 2021, themed ‘For Your Imagination,' will comprise 537 activities and events, comprising of workshops, theatrical performances, and some events oriented on literature, reading, and associated arts. This year will be diverse, with 27 writers from 15 countries and 172 publishers showing their products.

A fantastic line-up of authors

Visitors to SCRF will have the opportunities to contact 27 internationally and locally famous writers.

Claudia Rueda, a New York Times best-selling writer and artist from Colombia, is among 16 world luminaries. Reuda explained the significance of SCRF, saying, "As a reading fest SCRF aspires to involve both children and adults in the pleasure of literature." When children explore the potential of reading in a lively and adventurous atmosphere, and that experience is joined by their adult caregivers, the book transforms into a tool of freedom rather than a duty.”

Matt Lamothe, best-selling author and artist of This is How I Do It, stated, "My non-fiction picture books aim on bringing diverse cultures together through the lives of children." I hope that by participating in SCRF 2021, I would be able to share the method of creating these books and learn from both the kids and adults who visit the festival. SCRF allows kids to take part in a discussion about our world. Let us appreciate our commonalities while acknowledging our differences.”

Establishing a relationship with his readers is vitally essential to Kevin Sherry, the award-winning author and artist of I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean. “During my 15-year career as an illustrator of children's books, I have done hundreds of shows at various schools. School visits were suspended due to the coronavirus epidemic. SCRF 2021 will be my first performance in in two years, and I am quite thrilled about it. Sharing my obvious excitement for reading and literature is what I can do best, and I am overjoyed that SCRF 2021 is the first venue where I can do it again. SCRF plays an important role in advancing children's reading in the area and beyond the world. Reading is the finest method to put oneself in the shoes of another person and experience the world, and SCRF is the event that generates a plethora of new readers. I am thankful to the SBA for this wonderful opportunity.”

Misako Rocks, a Japanese manga artist, expressed her delight at becoming a part of the 12th edition of SCRF. “I can't wait to meet children who want to draw manga alongside me. As a comic artist and manga instructor, I am happy to be invited to SCRF, which is a terrific location for youngsters to improve their creativity through the different activities it offers, and meet authors.”

Swaady Martin, an author, activist, and worldwide speaker, sees SCRF as a critical instrument for transforming youthful views. "In this incredibly stressful climate for children, exposure to socio-emotional reading for children is incredibly vital," she added. They assist in providing children with the tools they need to deal with the obstacles of everyday life, and in reducing anxiety and increasing happiness. SCRF promotes to children's awareness to the world's tremendous diversity by providing access to books on a variety of topics from all over the world.”

The venue's safety procedures

The event will fully adhere to all COVID-19 precautionary measures in accordance with UAE safety procedure, with an all-encompassing plan that includes daily sanitization of the venue's rooms and common spaces, thermal scanning at all entrance points, and the installation of hand sanitizer stations around the site. Face masks will be mandatory and physical distancing will be compulsory.