Dubai ruler revisits childhood in new book “My Little World”

Blending engaging storytelling with keen observations about human relationships, learning, and the desert, H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid recounts his early life in his new book “My Little World.”

The events highlighted in the illustrated page-flipper have played a major role in shaping the Dubai ruler’s outlook and values.

Launched in collaboration with Dubai Media Office, His Highness — also Vice President of the UAE — talks about his youthful eagerness to learn new skills and his indefatigable spirit of adventure, which helped him dream big. The stories aim to convey to young readers that “great dreams have no limit.”

“Reading enriches our children’s minds and takes them on wonderful journeys to learn about our past experiences and lives,” said the leader, dedicating the book to all children across the emirates.

The stories in the collection include ‘Camping with Scorpions’, in which His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum speaks about his interactions with his mentor Humaid who taught him to hunt, train and treat injured falcons.

‘My Cave of Treasures’, the story talks about His Highness’s determination to transform the room into his personal space for contemplation, brainstorming & experimentation.

In a special tribute to his mother, Sheikh Mohammed also shares a story of how he took a lone baby gazelle he found in the desert to safety. He recalls wondering at the time whether anyone would care for it as much as its mother.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director at Dubai Media Council, has praised the leader’s nostalgic narrative.

In the story ‘My Friend, the Lion’ His Highness talks about the night when he opened his eyes to see a lion in his room. He recognized the lion as his ‘childhood friend’ that he had struck a bond with at a farm.

‘My First Horse’, which underlines the value of dedication and hard work, narrates how Sheikh Mohammed trained his first horse ‘Sauda Umm Halag’ while it was recovering from an injury. The poignant story relates how the young Sheikh Mohammed patiently nursed and trained the horse until it regained the strength to race again.

“The stories in the collection show His Highness’s profound outlook on life, love of nature as well as his humanity, and strong values.”

Written for children aged between 6 and 9, the collection introduces young readers to nature and desert wildlife with captivating stories that enrich their understanding of life. Designed to be compatible for use in the local education system, the stories seek to encourage reading among children, HE Al Marri added.

The educator community in Dubai is highly appreciating the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s effort and encouragement for reading. Asha Alexander – The principal of The Kindergarten Starters said that HH Sheikh Mohammed is an inspirational story teller and a role model for our young children. The stories he recounts will help in raising the next generation of leaders as the stories forge relationships of credibility for these young minds.

Storytelling is foundational to the building of strong families and the stories of HH Sheikh Mohammed and his mother will help children find meaningful comparisons in their own lives. We are excited to introduce these books to our children and we know it will shape their values and identities as they grow. 

Malar Balaji, Director Booktopia expressed her gratitude and said that “my heartfelt gratitude to our beloved ruler for sharing his childhood stories with the young minds of this generation and the many generations to come. Stories and reading books help children expand their imagination and get inspired to achieve many great things and our inspiring ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed has shared the journey of his childhood, his experiences, adventures, and the great dream he had for all of us through this beautifully and colorfully illustrated book “My Little World”. I would like to sincerely thank and laud the kind efforts of our ruler for always thinking of motivating young children and encouraging reading books.

Stories are published by Emirati publishing and distribution house Al Hudhud in both Arabic and English, the collection features illustrations by Emirati illustrator Abdullah Muhammad Al Sharhan, Founder and President of Ajyal Media.

[Sourced from Agencies]