The United Arab Emirates’ National Literacy Strategy (2016–2026) and the National Law of Reading (Federal Decree-Law No. 18 of 2016) reflect the nation’s emphasis on cultivating a reading culture beginning in early childhood and within the home. The Literacy Strategy explicitly aims for half of Emirati parents to read to their children, and the Reading Law considers reading a cultural right and mandates practical initiatives. Building on the priorities outlined in this national strategy and law, this paper draws on qualitative feedback provided by Emirati families who participated in the Fathers and Reading intervention. This home-based project encouraged Emirati fathers to engage in regular shared reading with their children, aged 4 and 5 years, using ten high-quality picture books in Arabic and English selected and provided by the research team. Interestingly, the families frequently adapted the language of the book through elaboration, dialogue, clarification and code-switching, using a blend of English, Modern Standard Arabic, and Emirati Arabic often within a single reading session, to support their children’s comprehension, enjoyment and engagement. It appears that their natural and flexible plurilingual and translanguaging practices, which reflected their home language realities, helped them enrich not only linguistic engagement but also emotional connection. The paper also identifies characteristics of children’s books that support dialogic and developmentally responsive reading in multilingual contexts. These include culturally resonant themes, inclusive illustrations, and opportunities for discussion across languages.

Keywords: Shared reading, family literacy, multilingual contexts, translanguaging, policy, United Arab Emirates.