From strawberries dipped in Belgian chocolate to a steaming cup of Iraqi tea,
the Sharjah International Book Fair is serving up a feast of flavours as diverse as its stories

Sharjah, November 13, 2025

It may be a book fair, but at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the real plot twist unfolds in front of the food trucks lining the entrance of the 12-day annual fair. The air is thick with the scent of sizzling burgers, freshly brewed tea and the unmistakable allure of melted chocolate – a sensory reminder that storytelling isn’t confined to words alone.

Creators Laurent Rivelaygue and Mohamad Al Shibani tell the Sharjah International Book Fair how the playful world of the popular French series blends imagination, humour and inclusivity to inspire young Arab readers

Sharjah, November 13, 2025

In a warm exchange that moved between nostalgia and new ideas, French creator Laurent Rivelaygue and Emirati writer Mohamad Al Shibani joined moderator Zeina Basil at the ongoing 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) to explore how humour and comics can nurture empathy, curiosity and connection among young readers. The launch of Les Qui Quoi by Kalimat Group marked a milestone for children’s literature in Arabic, expanding access to one of France’s most imaginative comic universes.

Sharjah, November 13, 2025

It was a burst of light, motion and music as Ping Pong Pang, the Italian dance phenomenon that stormed global talent stages, brought their electrifying performance to the Outdoor Theatre at the ongoing 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

With high-octane moves, luminous props and a beat-driven fusion of sport and art, the crew transformed the morning atmosphere into a sensory spectacle for hundreds of schoolchildren who gathered for their debut act at SIBF. Using ping pong bats, basketballs, LED lights and even lightsabres, the dancers bounced, juggled and spun in perfect sync, turning athletic coordination into a rhythmic form of visual storytelling.

The renowned American author’s Hear Your Story series has become a global journalling phenomenon and a quiet call to rediscover the art of real conversation.

Sharjah, November 13, 2025

When Jeffery Mason speaks, it’s with the measured warmth of someone who has spent years listening to the stories of others. “The goal of my books,” he told the audience at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), “is to share and preserve your life story, to build connections with yourself and each other”.