VIDEO: Books carry a healing, stimulating flavour: Experts at Sharjah book fair

Gulf Today Report

Children these days are much more exposed to information than those, say, 20 or 30 years ago thanks to the overwhelming influence of the Internet.

The groundswell of information can be beneficial at first sight, but on the other hand, it can leave them confused over choices they have to make. The flood of exposure can even be harmful, affecting their mental wellbeing.

Under the circumstances, books come in handy, since they carry a tactile mojo.

They have a deep personal touch. You can feel their crisp leaves, even their freshness is fragrant. Books are more than repositories of fascinating stories or information, they also carry illustrations that can be eyecatching and stimulating to the reader, specially to the child or youngster.

In a session titled 'Children's Literature and the Future' at the ongoing 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2022), experts stressed that children's literature must reflect the changing environment, pointing out that youngsters' brains are swamped with information and their curiosity drives them to seek more than just stories to excite their imagination.

Emirati writer and critic Dr. Fatima Al-Ma'amari explores ways to stimulate young minds on intellectual, emotional and psychological levels.

"Kids today can be anything they want, but this often leaves them confused." In a planet bursting with information, children's books must help them make the correct choice, she says. The child also has an artistic bent of mind. What he or she needs has to be tackled through more fascinating stories, both visually and theme wise.

There is also a chasm between the stories in books and the reality that children live in, says Rama Kanawati, journalist and children's literature author. Youngsters need to constantly stimulate their imagination.

Globalisation and advances in technology have taken the sting of curiosity out of their minds. "Today's reality is much different than what is depicted in children's books. The mindsets of kids' are evolving with more choices, and the books need to address these changes," she remarked.