Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed launches children’s book based on his early life experiences

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has written a children’s book, titled ‘My Little World’, which comprises of five stories based on his early life experiences.

The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), launched the book on Saturday, January 9, in partnership with Al Hudhud Publishing and Distribution.

The stories are written for children aged between 6 and 9, and are designed to be compatible for use in the local education system, said Mona Ghanem Al Marri, director general of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO).

The stories include anecdotes about human relationships, learning, and life-changing lessons he learnt during interactions in his early life that played a major role in shaping his outlook and experiences in the desert.

In his preface, Sheikh Mohammed talks about his eagerness to learn new skills and his indefatigable spirit of adventure, which helped him dream big, with the stories aimed to convey to young readers that “great dreams have no limit.”

In the ‘Camping with Scorpions’ story, Sheikh Mohammed talks about his interactions with his mentor Humaid who taught him to hunt, train and treat injured falcons.

In ‘My First Horse’ he reiterates the value of dedication and hard work, and narrates how he trained his first horse ‘Sauda Umm Halag’ while it was recovering from an injury.

The story titled ‘My Friend, the Lion’ talks about an incident wherein he opened his eyes one night to see a lion in his room. He recognised the lion as his ‘childhood friend’ that he had struck a bond with at a farm.

In the story ‘My Cave of Treasures’, Sheikh Mohammed also shares a story about how his father gifted him his old hunting gear and gave him access to the room where he stored it. He explains his determination to transform the room into his personal space for contemplation, brainstorming and experimentation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: “#MyLittleWorld”… my new book which I dedicate to all the children. Reading enriches our children’s minds and takes them on wonderful journeys to learn about our past experiences and lives.https://t.co/u4jzr6CAFx pic.twitter.com/QV7Ua5XoPD

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 9, 2021

In a special tribute to his mother, Sheikh Mohammed 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. The story ‘My Mother, Like No Other’ talks about how mothers are irreplaceable in our lives.

“Through ‘My Little World’, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum outlines the valuable life lessons he learned while growing up and the influences that shaped his character. The stories in the collection show His Highness’s profound outlook on life, love of nature as well as his humanity and strong values. HH Sheikh Mohammed’s accounts of his various adventures give us precious glimpses into the upbringing and formative years of one of the most visionary leaders of our nation,” said Al Marri.