Kalimat Group and Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality Launch Three Children’s Books at SIBF 2026

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, attended the launch of a new series of three illustrated Kalimat Group children’s books, produced in collaboration with Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality and Friends of Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality. Published in Arabic and English, the series was unveiled at Expo Centre Sharjah during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).

Teaching children how their municipality works

The books introduce young readers to the role a municipality plays in everyday life. Through relatable characters and familiar situations, they encourage children to protect the environment, look after public facilities and take an active part in their community, while highlighting values such as teamwork, respect for regulations and diligence.

Set in Dibba Al-Hisn, the stories follow Rashed and Mariam on adventures with their Grandpa Saeed, showing how the municipality oversees construction, enforces safety standards, keeps beaches clean, protects marine life, and plants and cares for palm trees.

The three stories in the series

Grandpa Saeed’s Library by Mariam Al Jamal

Rashed helps his grandfather build a library in their garden. Guided by Majed, an engineer at Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality, he sees drawings turn into buildings and learns how the municipality supervises construction at every stage and ensures safety standards are met.

Beach Guardians by Noura Al Khouri

Rashed, Mariam and Grandpa Saeed visit Dibba Al-Hisn beach and harbour, where they meet Basheer, a cleaner, and Khalid, a municipal inspector. The children learn about the work that goes into keeping beaches and public facilities clean and protecting marine life.

Mariam’s Little Palm by Nadia Al Najjar

Mariam finds a young offshoot growing beside a Khenaizi date palm in her grandfather’s garden and decides to move it to her own garden. With help from Salama, a municipal engineer, she learns how to separate, transplant and care for it, then joins her family for the date harvest, in a story that links environmental care with local agricultural heritage.

Author signing sessions at the Kalimat Group pavilion

Children aged six to nine can meet the authors at three signing sessions at the Kalimat Group pavilion during the book fair:

• Monday, November 9: Mariam Al Jamal, Grandpa Saeed’s Library
• Tuesday, November 10: Noura Al Khouri, Beach Guardians
• Thursday, November 12: Nadia Al Najjar, Mariam’s Little Palm

Officials attending the launch

The launch was also attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department; His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture; His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority; Talib Abdullah Al Yahyai, Director of Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality; and Ahmed Al Ali, General Manager of Kalimat Group, alongside senior officials and cultural figures.

Media contact

Aisha Alawadhi, Sharjah Government Media Bureau
aisha.alawadhi@sgmb.ae | +971 52 767 4447