Children’s author takes a leaf out of her father’s book with ghaf tree tale
▶ Hanadi Al Fahim is using the UAE national emblem to educate youngsters about the heritage and history of her country, writes Shireena Al Nowais
Mohammed Al Fahim wrote the book on Abu Dhabi. His 1995 Rags to Riches a stark and honest tale of a barefoot people whose city became one of the world’s wealthiest after oil was discovered beneath its sands – was read around the world.
Now his daughter Hanadi is following in her father’ footsteps with a children’s tale aimed at teaching the history and heritage of the nation.
Her story of a friendly ghaf tree educates young people about conservation, bringing to life the flora and fauna of the deserts of the UAE.
“I love to encourage children to read and believe one cannot have too many books,” she says at her office, decorated with upcycled motor parts – a nod to her father’s automotive empire – and a large butterfly print by British artist Damien Hirst.
She fears young people in the UAE are not learning enough about the country’s history and heritage.
“With [digital] devices being more accessible to children nowadays they tend to choose them over the world of reading,” she says.
Hanadi has been involved in conservation campaigns for years and choose to write The Little Ghaf Tree as a result.
“My admiration started in 2006 when we sponsored a campaign with Emirates Nature to save the ghaf tree and pave the way for it to be the national tree,” she says. “Through this sponsorship, I learnt about all the beautiful traits of this tree and decided to continue trying to inform people.”
The Year of Tolerance, the government’s official annual campaign for this year, uses the tree symbol too.
“I took it as a sign to complete the story that I had started,” she says.
The illustrated book, published in English and Arabic, is intended to instil “in our children a love for our culture and environment, while educating them on the importance of preserving our environment and coexisting with nature and our neighbours”.
“When my nieces and nephews were born, that is when it clicked for me and I felt like I wanted to pass on this information.”
While this is Hanadi’s first book, she says it may not be her last. She has a hand in running her family’s business empire, which includes Emirates Motor Company and Marjan Industrial Development, an engineering supplier for the oil and gas industry.
She was working on another book but broke off to complete the children’s book in time for Abu Dhabi International Book Fair this year.
“There could be a sequel,” she says.
“I do have something in mind but it is a matter of where my heart takes me, whether it is towards nonfiction or fiction.”
When not writing, Hanadi, who attended European Business School, creates art using car pieces.
A striking Mercedes front grille that she forged into a table is among the items in her office.
“I used to pass by the workshop every day on my way to the office and to me the workshop was like a hospital,” she says.
“When I saw the parts that are thrown away, I felt I could save them and upcycle them into useful parts. My offices have bits and pieces of automotive parts,” she says.
Hanadi has about 10 pieces for sale on her Instagram site. The parts have been transformed into stools, lamps, vases, desks and other household items.
“I’m not an artist – I am an art lover,” she says. “I think I would define myself as an artistic businesswoman.”