Illustrators from Mexico, Syria and Iran win prestigious Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award

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Mexican artist Mariana Alcantara Pedraza has beat global competition to scoop top
honour at the 11th annual Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award with her inspiring
illustration of the book My Little Bird, which is an artistically inspiring and heartwarming
visual telling of the love shared by a young child and a bird. Pedraza’s entry competed
against 1,300 artworks by 280 artists from 46 countries to occupy first place in the
prestigious competition, and reinforces her valuable contributions as an illustrator and
an art lecturer in universities to shape a bright future for the children’s book industry in
Mexico and beyond.

The winners of the award were announced on the opening day of the 14th annual
edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2023). Ahmed bin Rakkad Al
Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) honoured the top three winners
alongside three more artists who received appreciation prizes for their talent and
technique.

The Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award organised annually by SBA is one of the
most important global platforms for honouring and promoting creative talents in

children’s book illustrations. For its 11th edition, the winners were selected from
amongst 235 shortlisted works by 85 illustrators from around the world.

Runners-up: Lena Naddaf and Majid Zakeri Younesi
Syrian artist Lena Naddaf secured second place in the competition for her illustrations in
the book titled The Puzzle of the Lost City. Through her art, she skillfully supports the
story’s narrative revolving around a child who tries to keep the memories of his home
city alive, which he has to flee due to war.

Iranian artist Majid Zakeri Younesi is the second runner-up, whose masterful
illustrations in the story titled Mahteti portrays the ancient legend. He used the old
Islamic miniature painting style to present the elements of the story. His artwork is
characterised by its unique individuality, which he accentuates with a distinct modern
touch.

Appreciation awards
Three artists received encouragement awards. Baraa Al Aawour from Palestine was
selected for her creative illustrations that brought together many imaginary creatures to
spread joy in the world and instil positive feelings in children; Maria Catalina Vasquez
from Chile for her work that recalls childhood and simulates old memories, and
Ecuadorian artist Maria Estefania Santos Gallegos who received the Award for her
distinguished digital work that blends the worlds of reality and myth.

Through this coveted Award, SBA encourages specialised artists in children’s book
illustrations to develop high-quality content and illustrations that appeal to the younger
generations and instil the love of reading in them as a daily habit.

The jury
The jury for this edition featured renowned Emirati artist and sculptor Abdulrahim
Salem, Egyptian artist Hani Salah, American artist and author Andrea D’Aquino,
Spanish artist Zuriñe Aguirre, and German artist Vitali Konstantinov.

The prize for the first-place winner is USD 8,000, while the second-place receives 6,000
and the third-place receives 4,000. Encouragement awards recipients received 1,000
each.

Additionally, SCRF announced the winners of the 14 th Sharjah Children’s Book Award. A
Tale of Two Colours by Abdullah Mohammed Al-Sharhan, published by Dar Ajyal, was
announced the winner of the Arabic Children’s Book (4 – 12 years) category. The Arabic
Young Adult book (13 – 17 years) category was awarded to My Digital Grandmother by
Ahmed Qarni, and published by Shaan Publishing and Distribution, while the
International Children’s book (7 – 13 years) category was awarded to the title Incredible
History by DK, and published by DK Publishing.

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