By Sarah Fuller
“A space for young readers in Dubai to connect and immerse themselves in the joy of reading.” This is the driving force behind Kaynat Umair’s valuable initiative and Kutubna Cultural Center’s newest member, Bound to Read Kids Book Club.
Bound to Read was founded by Kaynat in 2022. In tandem with the book club, she started a bookstagram account @boundtoreadkidsclub to share diverse children’s books with an aim to celebrate the richness of global literature and inspire a broader audience to explore stories that extend beyond borders.
Earlier this week, we interviewed Kaynat, who talked about why she started a book club for kids, her meticulous and research-oriented book selection process, and the importance of widening children’s perspectives and understanding of the world from an early age.
Sarah: What inspired you to start Bound to Read?
Kaynat: My inspiration has always come from books and the people who read and write them. When I left the UK and moved to Dubai in 2022, I looked for a book club where my children could participate regularly, read diverse stories, and broaden their perspectives. I quickly realized that there was a distinct lack of such spaces for children in our community. This prompted me to take action and establish Bound to Read, a club where young readers can connect, read, and explore libraries together.
Sarah: Aside from reading and writing groups, have you organized any other kinds of activities for the community?
Kaynat: Yes, we organize library visits on a monthly basis. We have explored the prestigious Mohammad Bin Rashid Library multiple times as well as other public libraries in Dubai.
Sarah: How do you find and decide which children’s books to highlight/recommend? Tell us about your selection process.
Kaynat: First, we prioritize age appropriateness and the reading level. We carefully assess each book to match it with the right age group, ensuring that it’s accessible and enjoyable for the children’s comprehension and interest levels. Diversity lies at the heart of our book club, so we place special emphasis on highlighting diverse themes and perspectives. We seek out stories from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints, allowing children to connect with characters and experiences that may differ from their own. This broadens their worldview and fosters empathy.
We aim to recommend books that stimulate curiosity and values such as resilience and teamwork. This helps children enjoy reading and simultaneously grow personally and socially. When it comes to relevance and timelessness, we maintain a balance. We choose books that address meaningful topics that children can relate to as well as classic stories with universal themes. We are passionate about highlighting emerging authors, which allows us to bring fresh voices to our sessions.
To ensure a high level of engagement, we monitor feedback and interaction from our sessions, making note of the stories that children connect with and respond to the most. This helps us tailor future selections. Finally, our selection process is driven by passion and ongoing research. We spend a lot of time reading, researching, and staying updated on new releases in children’s literature, ensuring that each book recommendation is made with care, purpose, and relevance to our club’s mission.
Sarah: Why do you think it is important to widen children’s perspectives and understanding of the world from an early age?
Kaynat: We believe that widening children’s perspectives from an early age is crucial because it shapes how they interpret and interact with the world. When children are exposed to diverse stories, ideas and cultures early on, they learn to approach life with openness, empathy, and curiosity. This understanding helps them appreciate differences rather than fearing them. Early exposure to varied perspectives also builds critical thinking skills, as children learn to see issues from multiple viewpoints. Ultimately, broadening their worldview gives them the confidence and compassion to thrive.
Sarah: What has the community support been like? Have you faced any challenges in your journey so far?
Kaynat: Coming from the UK, I have noticed a significant difference in the reading culture here, and I’m committed to changing that. But overall, the support has been remarkable. Parents have shown a lot of trust in us by consistently sending their children to our monthly meetings and library visits, and they genuinely value our initiative.
Sarah: Do you have any favorite children’s book(s) and/or author(s)?
Kaynat: Some of my favorite children’s authors are Sharna Jackson, Hanna Gold, Jasmine Warga, and Yuval Noah Harari.
Sarah: Lastly, what are 3 words you would use to describe Bound to Read?
Kaynat: Purposeful, cultural hub, and inclusive.