Help us publish a heartwarming children’s book about Yemeni culture

We're creating an English and Arabic version of a picture book where a mother shares her childhood photo album with her daughter — taking her on an imaginative journey through Yemen. Together, they explore traditional foods, customs, and hidden gems of Yemeni culture. Your support will help us bring this joyful, culturally rich story to life for children from immigrant families and beyond. We'll also donate 10–15% of all books to schools, libraries, and charities to promote representation and inclusivity.

Why This Book Matters

Hi, I’m Reham — founder of Watan Tales, a community project dedicated to creating children’s books that celebrate cultural identity, especially for immigrant families from conflict-affected regions like Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Palestine.

As an immigrant from Yemen, I know firsthand how hard it is to grow up without stories that reflect where you come from. I may never be able to take my future children to Yemen — but I can take them there through stories.

This book is for all children — especially those who don’t see their cultures reflected in the stories they read — to explore heritage with pride, imagination, and joy.

✨ Our First Book: Back Home to Yemen

In this story, a little girl sits with her mother as they flip through an old photo album. Each page brings a piece of Yemen to life — from the scent of bint al-sahn (Yemeni honey bread) to the stunning rich resources of Yemen such as Honey, fish and coffee.

Through illustrations and simple, lyrical text, the book introduces children aged 3–9 to:

The story is told in English and Arabic (in separate editions) and is designed for both immigrant and non-immigrant families who want their children to learn about the beauty of Yemen — beyond what they might hear in the news.

What Families Are Telling Us

We’ve spoken to dozens of Yemeni and Somali parents in the UK who all said the same thing:

There just aren’t enough books that reflect our cultures.

“There aren’t any folktales from Somalia, so I used to write my own and read them to my children.”

— Samia, immigrant parent

“When these books exist, they’re hard to find or too expensive.”

— Leena, immigrant parent

“Children need to know about other cultures. I would definitely buy this for my kids.”

— Angela, non-immigrant parent

Some parents have even taken it upon themselves to create their own stories at home using pen and paper.

We want to fill that gap — with beautifully crafted books that are accessible, joyful, and true to the communities they represent.

What We’re Raising Funds For

We’re raising funds to bring "Back Home to Yemen" to life — from artwork to printing — and to get copies into the hands of families, charities and schools.

£500 – Covers illustration and eBook production

£1,500 – Prints paperback books and reaches 250 children

£3,500 – Reaches 500 children and prints both English and Arabic editions

(We will print the Arabic and English versions separately to ensure a clean and enjoyable reading experience).

We'll also donate 10–15% of all books to schools, libraries, and charities to promote representation and inclusivity.

All funds go directly to producing this book. Revenue from future sales will help us publish more stories from underrepresented cultures.

Let’s Grow a More Inclusive Bookshelf

This project isn’t just about one book — it’s about making sure every child sees their culture reflected with pride, and every family feels the warmth of home in the stories they read.

If you believe in this mission, please consider donating or sharing.

Together, we can bring the beauty of cultures like Yemen and other conflicted countries to life, one page at a time.

Thank you so much for your support.

✏️ A Note on the Creative Process

As with any children’s book, the story, characters and visuals may evolve during the editing and illustration stages. While some details might change, the heart of the book — celebrating Yemeni culture, building pride in identity, and sharing joyful, meaningful stories — will always remain at the centre.

Project Updates

I’ll be sharing updates right here on GoFundMe as the project moves forward — from illustration previews to printing, publishing, and distribution. I want you to be part of the journey every step of the way.

Stay in Touch

GoFundMe doesn’t always give me your contact info — so if you’d like to receive to receive updates by email, please fill out this quick form after donating: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2xnzHIbwn68iA7ZQqei_nNmxvdpcoAQ-U67c8Z4KB75KcyQ/viewform?usp=header

Thank you again for believing in this vision and helping bring it to life.