World Book Day 2025: What's on the Bookshelf of the UAE's Top Educators?

April 24th 2025

World Book Day 2025: What's on the Bookshelf of the UAE's Top Educators?

What do UAE teachers read for pleasure?
The books that shaped the UAE’s Leading Educators.
PLUS - books that Every UAE child needs to read before they leave school.
School principals and leadership reveal choices - expect some surprises!
Anything by Enid Blyton and Orwell's 1984 remain top choices for children.

By: Tabitha Barda

Published: 23 Mar 2025 | Updated: 23 Apr 2025

We know that role-modelling reading for pleasure is one of the most important ways that adults can inspire children to read more – but, as busy parents, it can be hard to find the time... So what do leading school role models read themselves? This World Book Day 2025 we got a sneak peek onto the bookshelves of the UAE’s top educators.https://schoolscompared.com/uae/guides/world-book-day-2025-whats-on-the-bookshelf-of-the-uaes-top-educators

Naomi Williams, Principal, South View School Dubai

What book are you reading at the moment?

Hamnet by Maggie O Farrell.

This is historical fiction about Shakespeare’s only son called Hamnet. Set in 16th-century England, it focuses on Agnes, his enigmatic wife, and their profound bond with their children. When Hamnet dies of the plague at just eleven years old, the family is shattered, and his death deeply influences Shakespeare’s later work, particularly Hamlet. It is a book which beautifully explores themes of love, grief, fate, and the resilience of the human spirit.

What was your favourite book as a child and why?

Favourite book as a child was The Faraway Tree books by Enid Blyton because they spark imagination with magical lands, quirky characters, and endless adventures. The enchanted tree and its ever-changing worlds offer excitement, friendship, and wonder, which made me feel part of a whimsical universe where anything is possible and fun never ends.

Which book would you like to make sure every child has read by the time they leave your school and why?

Every child should read The Book Thief by the time they leave school.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a powerful, unforgettable story set in Nazi Germany, narrated by Death. It follows Liesel, a young girl who finds solace in stealing books and sharing them during a time of war, loss, and fear. Through her eyes, you can witness the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of words, and the impact of kindness in dark times. It teaches empathy, critical thinking about history, and the value of storytelling. Every student should read it to understand the power of literature to resist oppression, preserve humanity, and remind us never to forget the past.

See our review of South View School.

Archana Arora, Head Mistress (Training and Reading), HOD English, Delhi Private School Dubai

What are you reading right now?

Let Them by Mel Robbins. It’s a total game-changer. The book teaches you to stop wasting energy trying to change or convince people—just let them be who they are. Highly recommended!

What was your favourite book as a child and why?

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. A magical, witty adventure that made learning fun and sparked curiosity.

Which book would you like to make sure every child has read by the time they leave your school and why?

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli – it teaches students critical thinking and decision-making skills. Another must-read is Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman, which presents evidence-based optimism and encourages young minds to be proactive and compassionate global citizens.

When I was younger, I was completely obsessed with Enid Blyton books—especially The Famous Five and The Secret Seven...

See our review of Delhi Private School.

Ben Rothwell Head Teacher Victory Heights Primary School Sports City, Founding Principal Victory Heights primary School City of Arabia

What book are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson, and it’s honestly fascinating. It’s about a working-class guy who somehow ends up as a top trader in one of the richest banks in the world—only to realise the whole system is built to keep the rich getting richer. He tells it all with loads of humour and honesty, making complex financial stuff actually make sense. It’s part memoir, part eye-opener about how money really works, and it’s making me rethink a lot.

What was your favourite book as a child and why?

When I was younger, I was completely obsessed with Enid Blyton books—especially The Famous Five and The Secret Seven. I genuinely believed I could be one of them, solving mysteries, sneaking off on adventures, and uncovering hidden secrets with just a torch and a bit of curiosity. There was something about the freedom they had—the picnics, the secret meetings, the way they always seemed to stumble upon something exciting—that made me want to round up my friends and do the same. Looking back, they probably shaped a lot of my love for stories, adventure, and the idea that anything is possible if you’ve got the right people around you (and maybe a stash of sandwiches and ginger beer).

Which book would you like to make sure every child has read by the time they leave your school and why?

If I had to recommend one book every child should read before they leave school, it would be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s got everything—adventure, magic, good vs. evil, and that incredible feeling of stepping into a completely different world. It’s the kind of book that makes you fall in love with reading because it reminds you how stories can transport you somewhere else entirely. I think every child should experience that moment of opening a book and feeling like anything is possible.

See our review of Victory Heights Primary School here.

Learn more about the new Victory Heights Primary School City of Arabia here.