Sharjah: War, loss, death are no longer taboo topics for children’s literature, says authors at SCRF

Sharjah: At the 16^th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), leading authors noted that today’s young readers are not only ready to confront heavy themes like war, loss, and death, but are already living in a world where these realities are unavoidable.
A panel titled ‘Stories that Unite’, featuring Syrian-American journalist and children’s author Rhonda Roumani, brain aesthetics scholar Dr Nizar Al Qamari, prominent Emirati author Badria Al Shamsi, and award-winning Moroccan author-illustrator Al Hassan Benmouna, delved into the shifting landscape of childhood reading.

Guide children through realities
Roumani noted that children today are exposed to everything through their phones.
“Pretending they’re sheltered from the world is a disservice. It’s not about what we tell children, but how we tell it. Stories about war, loss, or upheaval must be truthful, but also carry hope – enough for a child to process without being overwhelmed.”
She pointed out how her novel Tagging Freedom introduces the complexities of the Syrian revolution to young readers while maintaining a sense of hope.

Al Shamsi pointed out the growing overlap between childhood stages, where topics like war and loss are no longer off-limits.
“The old divisions between childhood stages are dissolving. War, loss, and even death are no longer taboo – these are part of our children’s worlds, whether we like it or not,” she said. “Our duty as writers is to guide children through these realities, always holding onto the value of peace and hope.”

Parents play crucial role
The panel touched on the vital role parents play in shaping their children’s literary journeys.
Al Shamsi said that children learn most by imitation.
“If parents want to raise leaders and empathetic adults, they must model reading and discussion. Don’t use books as tools of control, but as gateways for conversation and discovery,” said Al Shamsi.
Roumani echoed this, warning that if parents avoid difficult conversations at home, children will still encounter them elsewhere, often without guidance.
“It’s vital to read with our children, even when stories make us uncomfortable. That’s how we ensure our values are part of the conversation.”

Physical books matter
Dr Nizar Al Qamari spoke about the unique role of physical books in developing language and empathy, noting that paper stories engage the imagination in ways digital formats cannot.
Even mathematics, he said, can be turned into a story.
Meanwhile, Al Hassan Benmouna reflected on the universality of storytelling, emphasising that core themes like bravery and fear resonate across cultures.
“Every culture has its own versions of the same tales – Layla and the wolf, for instance. These stories travel and evolve, but the core themes of bravery, fear, and wonder remain.”

First childhood book
Writing for children, the panelists agreed, is both a calling and a privilege. Roumani shared how her own childhood books shaped her writing.
“The joy you discover in your first childhood book shapes you forever,” she said.
Al Shamsi added that writing for children allows them to relive the joys of childhood: imagination, laughter, possibility.
“It is a way to ensure that even in times of conflict, we are raising generations who can dream of peace.”