Unbeseiged Minds
Five true stories of five children from Gaza who lived through what no child should ever have to live through, and, in doing so, created what no one could have imagined.
Their heroism was not born on battlefields, but in those small moments when they chose to give rather than surrender, and to invent rather than wait. This is not a book about children broken by war; it is a book about children who proved that even the fiercest storms cannot extinguish a heart that carries a light within.
All profits from this book will be donated to support the education of Gaza's children, in partnership with the Tamer Institute and the Sumud Association.
Age group: 9-12
The Makers of " Unbeseiged Minds"
Shereen Sabanekh
A children's author and museum specialist who believes that the child is the most honest reader and the bravest witness. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester and has extensive experience in museums and children's learning, having held leadership positions at the Children's Museum Jordan. She is a co-founder of "Mosaic for Cultural Strategies and Consulting".
She has published several children's books, most notably "Maymouna and Her Crazy Ideas", which was shortlisted for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, alongside "I Am Zozo", "Knock Knock" and "Dee Dee".
Unbeseiged Minds is her work most deeply bound to spirit and responsibility. It is not merely a book, but an act of documentation, a testimony that the children of Gaza have names, dreams and stories that cannot be erased.
Writing and authorship
Lina Abu Shaban
A children's life coach and Montessori educator who believes in the power of stories to empower children. She founded "The Little Leader" podcast to support parents in raising confident, capable children, and is also a co-founder of a centre for psychological support and trauma therapy.
She is currently pursuing a master's degree in psychology, with a focus on children's mental health.
Inspired by her Palestinian roots and her deep passion for childhood, Unbeseiged Minds tells the stories of real heroes who chose creativity and innovation despite the hardest of circumstances, to inspire young readers and strengthen their sense of hope and belonging.
Project concept
All profits from this book will be donated to support the education of Gaza's children, in partnership with the Tamer Institute and the Sumud Association.
How Was the Idea for the Book Born?
The idea for this book was born from the painful reality of Gaza, and from the stories of its children who live through war and siege yet hold on to life and hope. The book tells of real children who turned pain and challenges into creativity and innovation, affirming that heroism is not found in legends, but in the hearts of children who insist on dreaming and on making hope, whatever the circumstances.
All profits from this book will be donated to support the education of Gaza's children, in partnership with the Tamer Institute and the Sumud Association.
A Glimpse into the Stories
Chemistry That Brings Back Memories
Every Saturday, a cup of coffee with her grandmother was the moment Hind looked forward to most all week, until the war came and put out everything. So from a piece of cotton and some medical alcohol, Hind kindled a small ember and brought the smell of coffee back to her grandmother’s house, as if the war had fallen silent for a moment before the aroma of the beans and the first sip of coffee.
Scrap That Lights the Darkness
In a black bag full of wires and scrap, Nader carried what no one else could see: a light waiting to be born. When darkness closed in around their tent and his sister Layla cried in fear, Nader did not sit and wait for dawn. He had a mind that refused to give up.
A Sun That Reassures Loved Ones
All that Hussam saved from his demolished home was a solar panel his father had once installed, dreaming of a green Gaza, and a few cooking pots. In the camp, where people were cut off from their families and knew nothing of their fate, that panel held a possibility no one had imagined.
Wheels That Mend the Holes
Awni’s blue bicycle was his lifelong companion. On it he roamed the streets and alleys of Gaza, carrying dreams from one neighbourhood to the next. When his father’s sewing machine fell silent and the silence weighed heavily on them both, that bicycle became a beginning no one expected.
A Harvest That Revives the Table
In a small blue notebook, Anas collected his mother’s recipes, the memory of home, of the kitchen, of ordinary days. Then the war came, the markets ran dry and the fuel ran out. So Anas opened a new chapter in his notebook and called it “Wartime Recipes”. Because the table, however small it grows, keeps saying that life is still here.
All profits from this book will be donated to support the education of Gaza's children, in partnership with the Tamer Institute and the Sumud Association.
The Illustrators of " Unbeseiged Minds"
Abdullah Al-Qawareeq
A visual artist and children's book illustrator from Palestine. He holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from An-Najah National University. He began working on children's books in 2010 and has illustrated a number of projects published by institutions inside and outside Palestine. He has led several workshops for different age groups, received honours from the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), and his books have won a number of awards.
Diala Zada
A Syrian-British artist, illustrator and children's author based in Cambridge. She creates picture books and graphic novels inspired by nature, folklore and history, working primarily in watercolour and collage techniques. Her work has received international recognition, including nominations and awards for books on Palestinian stories and Palestinian cultural heritage
Shorouq Idris
An artist from Sudan with more than five years of experience. She has contributed to several children's book, animation and comics projects, among others. Her work draws on African folklore and mythology, with a particular focus on representing Arab-African heritage. Through her illustrations, Shorouq seeks to bring out the rich narratives rooted in her origins, producing work that combines historical depth with a connection to the contemporary world.
Amani Al-Baba
A visual artist and children's book illustrator from Jordan who combines visual storytelling with creative imagination in her work. Amani produces paintings and illustrations in a contemporary style that reflects identity, memory and human stories. She also explores the frontiers of digital art, drawing in virtual reality (VR) to create immersive artistic experiences.
Naim Ajouli
A gifted, self-taught artist. He began his career in the children's magazines of the Jordanian Ministry of Culture, then turned to painting on artefacts and murals before working at major companies as a supervisor and art director. He later moved into animation, where he worked on the Pink Panther project, and then into investigative illustration for documentary programmes at major companies, before returning to children's illustration. He regularly takes part in events and gives lectures to illustrators and university students.
All profits from this book will be donated to support the education of Gaza's children, in partnership with the Tamer Institute and the Sumud Association.
Photos from the Launch of " Unbeseiged Minds"
The book was launched at the Children’s Museum Jordan in the presence of HRH Princess Dina Mired.
Our Message to You
These stories are not just tales; they are the voices of real children whose stories deserve to be heard.
By purchasing a copy of this book, you are not only acquiring a book, you are helping to make a real difference. The full proceeds of the book will go to support the education of Gaza’s children and to stand by them through these difficult circumstances.
All profits from this book will be donated to support the education of Gaza's children, in partnership with the Tamer Institute and the Sumud Association.