Ebtisam Al-Beiti
Ebtisam Al Beiti
Ebtisam Al-Beiti is a published Emirati children’s author and early years professional. Ebtisam has published three children’s books, all of which have the recurring theme of self-belief and positivity in young children and her 4th book will be published soon. She has participated in Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and has been invited to several international literature festivals including the prestigious Bradford Literature Festival in July 2024 and the Toronto International Festival of Authors in September 2024. Ebtisam has also been a panelist in several early years education panels, including a judge at the Top School Awards of Dubai 2021 and The Wonder Mom Awards 2024. As an advocate for education, Ebtisam has actively contributed to educating young children. This year she also participated in the Bologna Book Fair, Italy.
Dr. Afra Atiq
Dr. Afra Atiq is an Emirati award-winning poet who has been featured across the globe. She recently performed at Edinburgh International Festival and has participated in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Her poetry collection “Of Palm Trees and Skies”- a lyrical journey through identity, culture, and resilience, was sold out in Australia and New Zealand. She has held workshops with Untitled Chapters, giving back to the community. She’s been published in the International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences and conducted social research involving literature and education and has been featured at schools and universities as well as TEDxFujairah, NYUAD Arts Centre and was named the Best Performer and has won multiple poetry slams. Dr. Afra was recognized as the guest of honor at the University of Birmingham Dubai’s class of 2025 graduation ceremony. She won the 2017 ADMAF Creativity Award, making her the first spoken word poet to win the award.
Reem Al Kamali
Reem Al Kamali is an Emirati journalist and author. Her book, Saltanat Hurmoz, won the 2015 Al Owais Creativity Award and is a member of the Journalists’ Association of the UAE and the Emirates Writers Union. In 2025, she was honored with the Indo-Arab Woman Excellence Award, recognizing her significant contributions to literature and journalism. She has participated in numerous book fairs and festivals around the world, including in Kuwait, Tunisia and Casablanca, South Korea and Canada as well as the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
Her novel Sultanate of Hormuz won the 2015 Al Owais Creativity Award. Her novel Dalma Statue won the 2018 Sharjah Creativity Award. Her novel Rose’s Diary was shortlisted for the 2022 Sheikh Zayed Prize as well as the 2022 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), making her the first Emirati novelist ever to be shortlisted for the IPAF.
Maitha Al Khayat
Maitha Al Khayat is a member of a new breed of superheroes. The mother of five is one of the UAE’s most prolific Emirati children’s illustrators and writers. She is a Board Member at the UAE Board of Books for Young People – IBBY, and an ambassador of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. She is nominated for Hans Christian Andersen Award 2026 along with Emirati illustrator- Dr. Abdullah Alsharhan.
In less than 10 years, Al Khayat has published more than 160 books; some translated into English and Turkish, and used in curriculums at schools around the country. Her popular book My Own Special Way received an award for best book in the Children’s Forum, Riyadh (2011) and was nominated for best translated book at the Marsh Awards, UK (2013). Maitha’s picture book Turn off the Lights was also awarded best picture book at the Publishers’ Forum, Sharjah (2016). Al Khayat writes for children’s TV shows, including the newly relaunched Arabic version of Sesame Street and the Emirati cartoon series Hamdoon. She has also published her first Young Adult novel Tofan. In 2024, she was awarded the Etisalat Children’s Book Award for Youth Books and during Sharjah’s Reading Festival she won the award for Best Children’s Book in Arabic and Best Children’s Book in English “Aisha’s Pearl”.
Noura Al Khoori
Noura Al Khoori is an environmentalist by education and a mother of four who combines writing for children with volunteer community work in lactation, focusing on motherhood and early childhood. Passionate about weaving the natural environment and local culture into her stories, she regularly holds school readings, workshops, and book fair activities across the UAE. She has participated in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and was featured at the International Literature Festival Berlin, showcasing Emirati children’s literature on an international platform. Noura received the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature as well as the Ghanem Ghobash Award for Short Story in 2024 at 3rd place. She is also a translator between Arabic and English, specializing in children’s literature.
