Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Makes History at Bologna Children's Book Fair with House of Wisdom

The Emirati publisher and women’s advocate becomes the first woman from the Arab Gulf to win a BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction, marking a pivotal moment for Arab children’s literature on the global stage.

In a landmark recognition for both Emirati authorship and the Arab Gulf region, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has been awarded the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction for her children’s book House of Wisdom. The award, presented during a ceremony in the historic Farnese Chapel at Palazzo d’Accursio in Bologna, positions Sheikha Bodour as the first woman from a Gulf country to receive the honor – and signals a powerful shift in the global children’s publishing landscape.

A Story Rooted in Culture, Reaching Across Borders

House of Wisdom, written by Sheikha Bodour and illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, is both a tribute and a lesson – inspired by the legendary library of the Islamic Golden Age that once stood in Baghdad. Through vivid storytelling and layered visual language, the book fosters critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and cross-cultural understanding aimed at a young readership.

“Amid heightened global tensions, stories like House of Wisdom carry a message that books can occasion unity, progress, and a deeper understanding between cultures”.

“For me, this award signals a shift towards a more inclusive children’s publishing sector”, Sheikha Bodour remarked. “Amid heightened global tensions, stories, like House of Wisdom carry a message that books can occasion unity, progress, and a deeper understanding between cultures”.

She also reflected on the historic library’s symbolic weight: “Its loss in 1258 is a tragic allegory for the fragility of intellectual freedom – a lesson of undiminished relevance today”.

The illustration by Zakeri Younesi imbues the narrative with emotion and resonance. Although unable to attend the ceremony, he expressed pride in the work: “It was a unique opportunity to visually capture the spirit of curiosity and innovation that drives humanity’s infinite quest for learning and dialogue”.

Celebrating Legacy and Dialogue in Bologna

Beyond the award ceremony, Sheikha Bodour’s presence in Bologna included a signing at the Giannino Stoppani Children’s Bookshop, a venue she helped restore after its destruction by fire in 2022, thanks to support from the Sharjah World Book Capital Office. Her signing drew notable attention, underscoring the international reception of House of Wisdom and her longstanding commitment to cultural preservation.

The following day; she joined a panel discussion with fellow BolognaRagazzi winners, sharing insights on literary diplomacy, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the vital role of storytelling in promoting understanding – themes central to both her book and her broader advocacy. A celebration gathering at the Kalimat Group stand – the publishing as a literary and cultural capital.

A Turning Point for Arab Children’s Literature

Sheikha Bodour’s win is not simply a personal achievement. It represents growing international recognition of Middle Eastern voices in children’s literature – voices that challenge stereotypes, nurture curiosity, and offer narratives often overlooked in global publishing.

Through House of Wisdom, Sheikha Bodour affirms that storytelling is not only a medium of imagination, but a channel for history, empathy, and resilience. Her win at Bologna is a moment of visibility – for Arab culture, for female authors, and for the transformative power of literature when it dares to speak across borders.

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