60 per cent discount on books for Children

abu dhabi — To mark Emirati Children’s Day, which falls on March 15, the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a 60 per cent discount on all its publications for children and young adults, totalling 340 books.

This is aimed at encouraging them to develop the reading habit and collect books they cherish. Emirati Children’s Day — announced by the Ministerial Development Council, chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs — is in line with UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial Plan 2071. It coincides with the approval of Child Protection Law No. 03, popularly known as the ‘Wadeema Law’, on March 15, 2016.

The Children’s Day emphasises the UAE’s efforts to foster future generations, overcome all the difficulties that might prevent them from receiving a proper upbringing, and become proactive members of society.

DCT Abu Dhabi also conducts other children’s activities such as competitions and events — including the ‘Young Writer in the Big Book’ competition to foster the young literary talents, the Creative Reader Competition, and the ‘Your Old Book Is My New Book’ book exchange initiative.

The Kalima Translation Project at DCT Abu Dhabi has translated and published 235 children’s books so far, including folk tales and books on science, historical figures and more, seeking to familiarise children in Abu Dhabi with other cultures.

The National Library’s Publications Division also published 105 books for children and youngsters 5 years and older, comprising 88 titles translated from English and French literature, and 17 Arabic titles as well. — Wam