Several experts in children’s literature have emphasized that writing for young readers requires authors to be educators, mentors, and capable of engaging with the world of childhood in relatable language and environments. They highlighted the potential of literature to serve as a valuable tool for family support, particularly when addressing challenges that parents may find difficult to explain to their children.
They also underscored the significance of utilizing classic stories, traditionally passed down by grandparents, in instilling values, fostering awareness, and strengthening family bonds. These stories are rich in knowledge and human experiences, which can be adapted into modern narratives that align with contemporary developments, rekindling family connections through the recounting of everyday situations and shared moments.
This discussion was part of a panel titled “Celebrating the Power of Family Ties,” held during the sixteenth edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, featuring Dr. Mohammed Al-Mamari, writer Mohammed Al-Shaer, and author Arti Khatou Ani Bhatia, with Sharara Ali moderating the session.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Mamari stated that family cohesion is achieved through reliance on one another during various situations. He pointed out that continuous communication, mutual reassurance, and responding to each other’s needs are fundamental principles that ensure strong family structures. He added that children raised in stable and connected family environments are better equipped to establish strong, enduring families in the future.
Al-Mamari noted that writing for children is one of the most challenging forms of writing, as it demands the author to assume the roles of a nurturer, educator, and responsible figure simultaneously. He emphasized the importance of understanding childhood contexts and the specific language environments children inhabit. Certain words or approaches that may be familiar in one culture could be inappropriate in another, placing additional responsibility on children’s authors to choose their language carefully and to utilize feedback to understand children’s needs and the messages they wish to convey.
Writer Mohammed Al-Shaer highlighted that one of the topics he enjoys exploring in children’s literature involves family relationships. He mentioned that children continuously seek to understand how to interact with their parents and siblings and navigate changing circumstances within the home. Many familial challenges are difficult for parents to convey directly, which underscores the critical role of the writer as a supportive voice for families, nurturing children’s awareness and understanding through stories that resonate with their environments and realities.
He affirmed the significant role that classic stories have played in reinforcing values and moral concepts across generations.
In addition, Arti Khatou Ani Bhatia stressed the importance of reviving storytelling traditions within families, emphasizing that the classic tales shared by grandparents carry profound human spontaneity and knowledge. These stories provide an endless source of inspiration for contemporary narratives suitable for today’s children.