Eqlima Ali Dinar here.

It’s Monday, What are You Reading is a meme hosted by Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers (new host of Monday reading: Kathryn T at Book Date).

The year 2023, the year of Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates, saw Dubai hosting the Conference of Parties 28 (COP28) in Expo City Dubai, a destination my nieces and I were excited to visit.

Although their excitement was particularly because they were eager to experience their first ride on the Dubai Metro and had fun copying the announcements, they remained in awe throughout our COP visit.

We visited all the COP28 hubs before making our way to the Vision Pavilion. The pavilion honors the visionary leadership of His Highness (HH) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It highlights his personal childhood experiences, his remarkable transformation of Dubai from a desert into a thriving metropolis, and his deep love for horses inspired by his book, My Story.

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My Little World (Collection of Five Stories):

عالمي الصغير صندوق من 5 قصص – عربي

Author: His Highness (HH) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  Illustrator: Abdulla Alsharhan Published by: Dar Al Hudhod Publishing and Distribution (2021) Arabic ISBN: 9789948343516 English Title: My Little World (Box 5 stories) ISBN: 9789292835910 Bought the Arabic Box Collection. Book photos taken by me. 

With a special dedication from HH, the goal of My Little World box collection is that his stories would reach future generations and they will be inspired by his adventures in the desert and sea and learn that great dreams know no bounds. The box includes five picture books bringing these experiences to life for children. Moreover, being published by  Dar Al Hudhud Publishing and Distribution in Arabic & English, and Illustrated by Emirati artist Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan, it is made to be a very special regional product to present to the world. The illustrator, Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan, is the co-founder and creative director of Ajyal and the creator of the Emirati cartoon character Hamdoon (see his work here).

I eventually decided to get the Arabic collection, as it masterfully combines elements of Modern Standard Arabic and Emirati, creating a captivating narrative that authentically portrays HH’s experiences. HH went the extra mile by adding notes on the pages, explaining the Emirati words to enhance readers’ comprehension of his stories.

In addition, the opening show at the pavilion showcased an animated version of HH’s picture book Camping with Scorpions. It commenced with a Jeep driven by the late father of Dubai Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum accompanied by his young son HH Sheikh Mohamed on a ride into the heart of the desert.

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 النوم مع العقارب : Camping with Scorpions

Author: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  Illustrator: Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan Published by: Dar Al Hudhod Publishing and Distribution (2021) Arabic ISBN: 9789948349129 English Title: Camping with Scorpions ISBN: 9789948349389 Bought the Arabic Box Collection. Book photos taken by me. 

His Highness was training a falcon, then night fell, and he went to sleep in his tent. Suddenly, a huge scorpion skittered across the screen. It stung HH while he slept, and my nieces became timid as they watched. But we heaved a sigh of relief when he was treated with herbs by his Bedouin mentor Humaid.

The picture book shows the experiences of HH with Humaid and his family in the desert for several days, learning how to train a falcon to hunt (called Qans among Emiratis), track animals, enjoy poetry and storytelling.

We get a glimpse of the adventures of HH in the desert, the dangers he faced and the hardships he overcame through beautiful illustrations. Later in the story, we learn that Humaid used to place scorpions under the mattress of HH on purpose so he would develop a natural immunity to their venom!

With its meticulous illustrations, the picture book vividly portrays HH’s experiences in the desert and provides an authentic depiction of Bedouin life. Dr Abdulla Alsharhan, the illustrator, was tasked with creating an accurate depiction of HH. Despite considering it a challenge, he successfully transported us back in time with a collection of childhood pictures, allowing us to experience the adventures and deep friendships between the young sheikh and his mentor’s family.

I have developed a deep affection for this page (see below) as it captures HH, Humaid, and his family enjoying Qirs (A traditional bread made on coals; see this video). The illustrations evoked fond memories of my family and the delicious taste of this delicacy. It reminded me of when my father would bake it during our desert adventures, and we would enjoy it by the cozy warmth of the fire.

Continuing our tour in the pavilion, we ventured into a narrow corridor that featured casings filled with a diverse range of HH’s personal collection, which consisted of insects, bones, seashells, and ancient artefacts. Additionally, it featured HH’s hand-drawn illustrations of different animals and plants.

This story unfolds in his picture book, My Cave of Treasures.

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كهفي الصغير – My Cave of Treasures

Author: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  Illustrator: Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan Published by: Dar Al Hudhod Publishing and Distribution (2021) Arabic ISBN: 9789948349099 English Title: My Cave of Treasures ISBN: 9789948359944 Bought the Arabic Box Collection. Book photos taken by me. 

The story starts with HH flustered by his schoolwork which made him decide to create a space in his home to relax.

Upon stumbling on a room filled with his father’s hunting and horse-riding equipment, he makes the decision to transform and personalize it, turning it into his own special sanctuary.

The exquisite blend of colorful treasures from HH will make you stop at these pages and appreciate their magnificence, allowing you to envision the breathtaking beauty of the Arabian Gulf.

His parents Sheikh Rashid and Sheikha Latifa were left bewildered as expensive oils and precious items went missing. Eventually, they came across the cave and discovered their cherished possessions. They both chuckled and requested HH to put everything back where it belonged, and they gave him a notebook that he could use for his drawings and writings.

This picture book truly highlights HH’s talent, as he masterfully creates intricate illustrations and vividly captures a wide range of childhood adventures. As we continued the tour in the pavilion, we stumbled upon a breathtaking sculpture of HH’s favorite horse, Dubai Millennium.

I have a distinct memory of this magnificent stallion from the time when my mother, sisters, and I huddled around the television to watch it bag the Dubai World Cup in 2000. HH was overjoyed as he raised the cup alongside his late brothers Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his own children. His love for horses has been deeply rooted in his heart and mind since he was a child.

The picture book My First Horse tells the story of him nursing a horse back to health with the help of his late mother Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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خيلي الأول: My First Horse 

Author: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  Illustrator: Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan Published by: Dar Al Hudhod Publishing and Distribution (2021) Arabic ISBN: 9789948349112 English Title: My First Horse ISBN: 9789948349396 Bought the Arabic Box Collection. Book photos taken by me. 

The narrative begins with Sheikh Rashid’s plan to organize a race in Dubai, and he asked HH to select a horse for participation. Filled with excitement HH started to visualize riding a beautiful horse; but being the youngest among his brothers, he was slotted to pick last.

He came across Um Alhalaq, a beautiful mare with a clipped ear and an injured leg, but his intuition told him she’s a winner.

HH asked his mother for a medicinal herbal concoction to treat the mare’s leg and started training her. After months of rigorous training, a beautiful bond formed between the two and eventually the mare participated in the race.

This amazing picture book shows HH’s love for horses and his caring nature leading to an everlasting bond with these magnificent creatures. Specifically, this illustration below captured my attention, for it is rare to see this strong affection captured in an intimate hug between boy and beast.

Our visit to the pavilion concluded with a video showcasing the heartfelt testimonials of Emiratis and residents expressing their love for the city of Dubai. Some people reminisced about the past when the area was a barren desert. Leading the city towards modernization while also preserving its native wildlife was a goal that HH was committed to sustaining.

The Arabian Gazelles (Gazella Arabica) and other species freely roam the unfenced Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, darting between the sand dunes. HH reminisces about his encounters with animals in his care in his last two picture books, one about a gazelle and another about a lion.

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من يشبهك يا أمي: My Mother, Like No Other

Author: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Illustrator: Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan Published by: Dar Al Hudhod Publishing and Distribution (2021) Arabic ISBN: 9789948349068 English Title: My Mother, Like No Other ISBN: 9789948359937 Bought the Arabic Box Collection. Book photos taken by me. 

In My Mother, Like No Other HH narrates a beautiful story about his late mother Sheikha Latifa and an orphan Gazelle. While honing his survival and hunting skills under the guidance of his mentor Humaid, he unexpectedly discovered a lone baby gazelle.

HH spent the entire day watching, hoping for the return of its mother, but as night descended, the orphaned gazelle remained all by itself. With a sense of sadness, he pondered over who could care for the baby, and his thoughts kept returning to his mother, Sheikha Latifa. HH returned home with the gazelle and presented it to his mother as a gift. The young gazelle developed a strong attachment to Sheikha Latifa and began to follow her wherever she went.

The illustrator’s portrayal of the Emirati Sanaa’ values is remarkable, showcasing HH’s deep respect and love for his parents as he greets his mother with a gentle kiss on the head. It beautifully depicts the values passed down through generations in the Emirati culture.

The love that HH has for his late mother, Sheikha Latifa, shines through in this picture book, capturing her exceptional kindness that set her apart as a mother.

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صديقي الأسد: My Friend, The Lion

Author: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  Illustrator: Dr. Abdulla Alsharhan Published by: Dar Al Hudhod Publishing and Distribution (2021) Arabic ISBN: 9789948349105 English Title: My Friend, The Lion ISBN: 9789948359951 Bought the Arabic Box Collection. Book photos taken by me. 

In My Friend, the Lion, HH recalled a playful encounter he had with his old lion. On a chilly night, HH woke up to the sensation of warm breath on his face and suddenly realized that there was a lion sitting on his bed. This book beautifully illustrates the playful interactions between HH and his lion friend, highlighting their unique and unparalleled bond.

The lion is depicted as not budging, and all the efforts of HH trying to push him out of the room were unsuccessful. Finally with a clever simple trick, the lion was out of the room and HH could go back to sleep. The message HH wanted to convey through this picture book is that sometimes the easiest and most obvious solutions can solve the most difficult and complicated problems.

My Little World consists of captivating picture books filled with gorgeous illustrations that appeal to both children and adults. These books offer a unique perspective on the lived experiences of HH in his youth, which have shaped him into the exceptional leader he is today.

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About the Guest Contributor for #UAEReads:

Eqlima Ali Dinar is a PhD Candidate in Education Leadership at the United Arab Emirates University. Within her research, she explores topics such as research self-efficacy, and the wellbeing of teachers. Presently, she serves as a tutor in science and biology, as well as a freelance assessor for a Diploma in Education Studies. Initially embarking on her career as a cardiac nurse, she eventually discovered her true passion in the realm of education.

She held a position as an Educational Consultant, providing training to nursery teachers and directors. Prior to that, she had a career as a preschool teacher for nearly a decade. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Sharjah, followed by a Master of Education Management, Leadership & Policy at the British University in Dubai. She enjoys reading books, picture books, and manga. Among her other interests are crocheting amigurumi and origami.

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#UAEReads strives to be reflective of the diverse demographic population that makes up the country of the United Arab Emirates (see Global Media Insight source of demographics as of 2024). Hence, we will be featuring literature coming from the major nationalities comprising the entire country: Emiratis, Pakistanis, Indians, Filipinos, Egyptians – and other nationalities who have made UAE their home.

About the Guest Editor/Curator for March 2024 [#UAEReads]:

Myra Garces-Bacsal has served as a teacher educator for 15 years and has led several research projects on reading and social emotional learning, diverse picturebooks and teacher practices, psychology of high creatives and exceptional people, culturally responsive and inclusive education. She is a quintessential lover and creator of booklists (see her Social and Emotional Learning bookshelf here and other publications below). Myra serves as the Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies with the College of Education, UAE University. She is a self-proclaimed nerd who lives and breathes books and enjoys organizing events and festivals where fellow nerds converge and attempt to joyfully change the world.

Publications on booklists:

Garces-Bacsal, R. M., Alhosani, N. M., Elhoweris, H., Tupas, R. (2023). A diverse social and emotional learning booklist for gifted learners and advanced readers. Roeper Review, 45(1), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2022.2145397

Garces-Bacsal, R. M., Alhosani, N. M., Elhoweris, H., Al Ghufli, H. T., AlOwais, N. M., Baja, E. S., & Tupas, R. (2022). Using diverse picturebooks for inclusive practices and transformative pedagogies. In M. Efstratopoulou (Ed.), Rethinking Inclusion and Transformation in Special Education (pp. 72-92). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-4680-5.ch005

Garces-Bacsal, R. M. (2021). Of grit and gumption, sass and verve: What gifted students can learn from multicultural picture book biographies. In S. R. Smith’s Handbook of giftedness and talent development in Australasian Pacific (pp. 431-453). Singapore: Springer International Handbooks of Education. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-981-13-3041-4_18

Garces-Bacsal, R. M. (2020). Diverse books for diverse children: Building an early childhood diverse booklist for social and emotional learning. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 22(1), 66-95. https://doi.org/10.1177/146879842090185