The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 witnessed a remarkable event as over 300 children aged seven to 18 launched their books, showcasing a diverse range of literary works. From anthologies and adventure tales to science-fiction novels, these young authors transformed their dreams and personal reflections into published works. The launch ceremony, organized by Learners Circle, an edtech platform, brought together students from two schools and independent authors, highlighting the success of virtual writing workshops initiated during the pandemic.
Among the standout authors was Shaun Zechariah Anthony, a Year 10 student at St Mary’s Private High School in Ras Al Khaimah, who won the Writathon 4.0 writing competition. His book, which explores the journey of a shy boy embracing his true self, resonated with many. Shaun’s passion for storytelling earned him a PlayStation 5 as a prize, though he aspires to become a scientist in the future.
The event also featured Fatima Shakur, who launched her adventure-themed poem, expressing her disbelief at becoming a published poet. The launch included group projects like ‘Poetronica,’ a poetry collection by 208 young writers, and ‘Dreams Between Pages,’ an anthology by 33 students of New Indian Model School. Additionally, 70 children released individual titles across various genres.
Shankar, founder and CEO of Learners Circle, shared that the initiative began as a home project during the Covid-19 lockdown to keep children creatively engaged. The book launch at SIBF was not just about publishing manuscripts but celebrating the boundless creativity of young minds. “Every child has a story to tell. We simply give them the platform and guidance to tell it,” Shankar remarked.