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ADIBF Education Programme 2023

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair Education Programme 2023

This year’s edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair takes place from 22-28 May 2023, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The Emirates Literature Foundation is honoured to have curated an exciting mix of education and cultural sessions and we hope to see you at the Fair!

The education sessions are designed, with acclaimed international and UAE-based children’s authors, to inculcate a love of reading and provide school students with an excellent opportunity to engage with authors in a fun session, while exploring crucial themes relevant to their learning and development. 

Every session is FREE to attend, so register now before tickets run out!

Please find details of the education sessions in English, below.

To explore the education sessions in Arabic, please click this link.

Please Note: Most sessions will last 45-50 mins and will include a Q&A. Each session will be followed by a book signing and the students will have the opportunity to purchase the author’s books either before or after the session. We advise that you come to the venue at least 30 minutes before the session start time.

Education Sessions

Monday 22 May


Andy Stanton's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Hello Mr. Gum!

Time: 10:30-11:30
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 7+

Mr Gum is a complete horror who hates children, animals, fun and corn on the cob.

Join author Andy Stanton in this hilariously entertaining and rib-aching session full of jokes, props, silly voices and horrible, horrible singing as he explores his Mr Gum series and gives an insight into his childhood and how he became a writer.

Andy Stanton is the multi award-winning children’s author of the Mr Gum books, which have sold nearly three million copies in the UK alone and been translated into more than thirty languages.

Colette Barr and Leona COllins' Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Exhaust Some Energy!

Time: 10:30-11:30
Location: Ayasofya Stage
Age: 6+

Did you know that our world and our lives are powered by energy? It heats and cools our homes, keeps our cars and trains running, and our airplanes flying, but some energy is damaging the world we live in. Scientists are busy inventing new ways to power our lives, our homes and even to get us to school! Learn how we can look after the planet with Ahmed, who finds out why nature has the answers in this exciting, interactive event with the UAE’s most popular eco writer and illustrator team.

Join Colette Barr and Leona Collins who’ll tell us how we can help make our world a cleaner place in their fun filled, inspiring session full of laughs, prizes and awesome ENERGY.

Colette Barr raises awareness of climate change through her diverse characters and writing humorous, informative stories.

Artist and illustrator Leona Collins is a sustainability champion who uses her work to promote climate change.

Junior Spotlight Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Junior Spotlight

Time: 16:00-17:00
Location: Edutainment Stage
Age: All Ages
Language: English/Arabic

Get ready to be amazed and entertained as youngsters from throughout Abu Dhabi take to the stage to show off their creative talents in dance, drama, poetry and music, performances.

Interested in performing in one of our Junior Spotlight sessions? Register your school’s interest now and the education team will be in contact to confirm the success of your students’ performance and other details.

Teachers and parents can also book to attend the performance as an audience.

REGISTER NOW

Tuesday 23 May

Ebtisam Al Beiti's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Citrus the Smoothie Sloth

Time: 9:00-10:00
Location: Ayasofya Stage
Age: 6+

Sloths should be sleepy… but Citrus didn’t feel sleepy at all! He wanted his friends to love his home-made smoothies, but they just wanted to keep on napping… Until Millie Monkey comes up with a great idea that makes everyone happy. Join Ebtisam Al-Beiti as she reads Citrus the Smoothie Sloth in this interactive and fun event for younger children, encouraging them to be more adventurous in trying new tastes.

Ebtisam Al-Beiti is a published Children’s Author and highly experienced Early Years Professional. Writing a children’s book was always on her bucket list until it became a reality in March 2020.

Ebtisam lives with her family in Dubai and is not to be confused with her identical twin sister!

Lucy Strange's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Sisters of the Lost Marsh

Time: 9:30-10:30
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 9+

Acclaimed children’s author Lucy Strange will whisk you away into the Lost Marshes, sharing the inspiration behind this eerie, twisty tale and her other books for readers too – including ancient curses, folklore, poetry, art and dramatic British landscapes. There will also be plenty of creative writing tips along the way and the opportunity to start your own magical tale…

Lucy Strange is an award-winning children’s author who lives in the heart of the English countryside. Her books capture elements of classic children’s literature in a style that is engaging and accessible for today’s younger readers. Often inspired by natural landscapes, folklore and fairy tales, Lucy combines historical settings with touches of magic and fantasy to create utterly convincing worlds in which anything might happen…

Beverly Jatwani's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Together We Can Change the World

Time: 11:00-12:00
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 6+

We are never too young to discover that with love, courage and compassion we can all take responsibility for planet Earth. In her delightful series of books, Beverly Jatwani highlights the issue of endangered animals in an accessible way; in each story a child forms a connection with a different animal, spread across the seven continents. This time she is introducing a new animal friend: Gogo the Mountain Gorilla. Join us to take a voyage around the world and its disappearing wildlife! A mindfulness coloring activity will follow the book reading.

Beverly Jatwani’s upbringing in India was rooted in outdoor play: muddy knees and climbing trees is best how she describes her childhood. This inspired her to co-found the Middle East’s first green children’s nursery, and to then write a series of children’s books that capture the innate love and affinity that children have with Mother Earth.

Junior Spotlight Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Junior Spotlight

Time: 16:00-17:00
Location: Edutainment Stage
Age: All Ages

Get ready to be amazed and entertained as youngsters from throughout Abu Dhabi take to the stage to show off their creative talents in dance, drama, poetry and music, performances.

Interested in performing in one of our Junior Spotlight sessions? Register your school’s interest now and the education team will be in contact to confirm the success of your students’ performance and other details.

Teachers and parents can also book to attend the performance as an audience.

REGISTER NOW

Wednesday 24 May

Lemn Sissay and Greg Stobb's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Don’t Ask the Dragon

Time: 9:00-10:00
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 6+

Author Lemn Sissay and illustrator Greg Stobbs want to take you on an adventure. Join their hero Alem, who wants somewhere to celebrate his birthday – but where should he go? Maybe the bear, the fox, the tree frog or the bulldog know; but what about the dragon… Should Alem ask him, or might he be just too scary? A warm-hearted and fun event is guaranteed – plus party hats, interaction and some drawing!

Lemn Sissay OBE is a BAFTA-nominated multi-award-winning poet, playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster. He has authored collections of poetry and plays and his memoir My Name Is Why was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. He brings his gift for words to this rhyming folk tale that celebrate friendship and belonging.

Greg Stobbs is an illustrator, street artist and visual development artist from the UK, with an overactive imagination which he brings to this beautifully illustrated book.

Melanie La’Brooy's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The Wintrish Girl

Time: 11:00-12:00
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 8+

What happens when you are the only girl who doesn’t receive a Talisman to give you special powers? How do you feel when everyone knows their destiny… except you? Penn is that girl. Can she fight the evil which descends upon her and find her true family in Midwinter? Join Melanie La’Brooy for an exciting and entertaining Book Fair event and discover what inspired her to create this brand new series of gripping adventures about a girl who sometimes doesn’t quite know where she fits into the world.

Melanie La’Brooy is the Australian author of The Wintrish Girl, the funny and exciting first book in her middle-grade fantasy series, Talismans of Fate. Nominated as a ‘book of the year’ in several book award categories in Australia, this is Melanie’s first novel for children.

Alwyn Hamilton's Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Rebel of the Sands

Time: 12:00-13:00
Location: Ayasofya Stage
Age: 12+

Sixteen-year-old Amani Al’Hiza has the elemental power to control the sands of the desert. An orphan, she itches to leave Dustwalk, her dead end home town, where she lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. She escapes and travels across the desert with Jin, a mysterious foreigner. They encounter many dangers along the journey as they defend themselves against mythical creatures such as the ‘Nightmares’ and ‘Skinwalkers’. Along the way, Amani finds the answers to the many secrets about herself, her mysterious foreigner and the ‘Rebel Prince’.

Traitor to the Throne, the sequel of Rebel of the Sands, continues to follow the story of Amani, who happens to be half Djinn and have elemental powers.

Alwyn Hamilton is a Canadian author of YA fantasy fiction.

Junior Spotlight Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Junior Spotlight

Time: 16:00-17:00
Location: Edutainment Stage
Age: All Ages

Get ready to be amazed and entertained as youngsters from throughout Abu Dhabi take to the stage to show off their creative talents in dance, drama, poetry and music, performances.

Interested in performing in one of our Junior Spotlight sessions? Register your school’s interest now and the education team will be in contact to confirm the success of your students’ performance and other details.

Teachers and parents can also book to attend the performance as an audience.

REGISTER NOW

Thursday 25 May

Kathy Urban's session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Hop Lola Hop

Time: 9:00-10:00
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 6+

Lola is a bunny who loves to hop, hop, hop and join her best friend Ella on their adventures, but sometimes she hops a little too far… How will Ella find her again? Hop away with Lola and Ella in another magical adventure, full of heart and hope.

Kathy Urban is a multilingual journalist and the author of the Hop Lola Hop series about the adventures of a beloved bunny named Lola. The second book in the series A Yummy Market Day Adventure has just been published.

An avid reader, Kathy grew up admiring the works of great storytellers and the imaginary worlds they created. But it was listening to the stories her dad would tell her that prompted Kathy to make up stories for her own children.

Ali Sparkes' session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Book-Busting

Time: 9:00-10:00
Location: Ayasofya Stage
Age: 10+

How does an author think of their page-turning plots? Join this fun interactive session, with lots of comedy, perfect for anyone who loves an exciting read or who thinks they’ve got a book bursting out of them and might some day become a best-selling author.

Ali Sparkes is the award-winning author of the Shapeshifter series and other wonderful books for young people. The final book in her most recent fantasy adventure – Night Forever – reaches its heart-stopping conclusion at the top of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Elif Yonat Toğay's session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

A Twiggy Harmful Thingy

Time: 9:00-10:00
Location: Edutainment Stage
Age:6+

Do you think those little plastic straws are too small to make any harm?

Well, you are in for a surprise as these plastic straws are bad for the world we live in. Join author Elif Yonat Toğay as she reads her story A Twiggy Harmful Thingy. In this fun and engaging session, you will learn about the harmful effects of plastic on our planet, and how little changes in our daily lives can make a big difference. You will be happy to discover how you can play an active role in protecting our planet and preserving the beauty of our environment.

Elif Yonat Toğay
Impatient. But for the love of a squirrel, she can quietly endure hours beneath a tree.
Attentive. But so thrilled by spotting a flying fish that she can fall off the canoe.
Punctual. But can lose track of time following a hoopoe or can swim among exotic fish until her fingers and toes are wrinkled.
Skilled estimator. But whenever she collects pine cones or seashells in distant lands, her bag will never close.
She loves Asian elephants, African penguins and seahorses. Unfortunately, she has not spotted a single seahorse in 28 years. Yet, in the old days, she came face to face with three of them. In a single day!
She doesn’t have any bad habits except for eating potato chips occasionally.
She just goes about her life, inconspicuously…

Elif is a NatGeo certified educator and Turkish author of children’s books which have been published in numerous languages.

Voices of Future Generations of Arabia session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Voices of Future Generations: How to make the world a better place from our child authors

Time: 10:30-11:30
Location: Bursa Stage
Age:6+

Can you imagine how the world could be a better place? How would you change it?

Hear from two young authors who have taken their passion for creating a better world to heart by writing winning stories inspired by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Stories can be about looking after the planet, being kind to one another, having enough food to eat and clean water to drink, making the world a place where animals thrive, and one where we respect our differences and look out for each other as friends.

And if you feel that you could make your vision for the future into an adventure story, why not enter the Voices of Future Generations competition and become a child author yourself?

The winning stories of Voices of Future Generations for the Middle East Region are now available for all to read in a beautifully produced collection in Arabic and English, illustrated by UAE-based artists.

Efua Traoré's session at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Children of the Quicksands

Time: 12:00-13:00
Location: Bursa Stage
Age: 10+

Join acclaimed author Efua as she takes us on a mystical journey to Nigeria, weaving together modern life and Nigerian folklore in her richly imagined magical realist adventures Children of the Quicksands and The House of Shells.

Combining Yoruba mythology with powerful messages about fitting in and being true to yourself, Efua will discuss the inspirations for her stories, and the importance of exploring unfamiliar places and cultures through the pages of a book.

Efua Traoré is a Nigerian-German story writer. She won the regional Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2018 and won the Times/Chicken House Prize for her debut novel. She was nominated for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2022. The Sunday Times and the Guardian named it among the best books for children in 2022.

Junior Spotlight Session at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Junior Spotlight

Time: 16:00-17:00
Location: Edutainment Stage
Age: All Ages

Get ready to be amazed and entertained as youngsters from throughout Abu Dhabi take to the stage to show off their creative talents in dance, drama, poetry and music, performances.

Interested in performing in one of our Junior Spotlight sessions? Register your school’s interest now and the education team will be in contact to confirm the success of your students’ performance and other details.

Teachers and parents can also book to attend the performance as an audience.

REGISTER NOW

To explore the education session in Arabic, please click this link.

Registration

All 17 of the English and Arabic sessions are free to attend from 22-28 May 2023.

To attend any of the sessions with your students, simply register using the form linked below.

REGISTER NOW


Contact Us

If you have any further questions regarding the event, you can email us at aliya.khan@emirateslitfest.com and/or aira.anupol@emirateslitfest.com.

Or give us a call:

Aliya Suleman Khan & Aira Jane Anupol
+971 4 355 9844 (ext 111)
Emirates Literature Foundation
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