Every mandoos holds a story. Every story opens a world.
Our story
Open Up Mandoos began with a simple belief:
The stories we grow up with shape who we become.
For generations, the mandoos has been a treasured part of Emirati homes—a place where memories, keepsakes, and family stories were carefully preserved. It was more than a wooden chest; it was a vessel of heritage, belonging, and connection.
Open Up Mandoos reimagines this beloved symbol for today's children.
Driven by passion
Through storytelling, play, creativity, and discovery, we invite children to unlock the treasures hidden within our culture—values, traditions, memories, and lessons that continue to inspire future generations.
Our mission is to preserve the soul of Emirati heritage by transforming the mandoos into a doorway of discovery, where every child can learn, imagine, and grow.
But Open Up Mandoos is about more than heritage alone.
Open Up Mandoos is about nurturing curiosity.
Celebrating identity.
Encouraging imagination.
And helping children develop a deeper sense of belonging:
to their family, their community, and the world around them.
—Shatha Essa Al Mulla
The Story Behind Open Up Mandoos
What began as a childhood memory became a mission. Inspired by the treasured mandoos in Emirati homes, Open Up Mandoos invites children to discover the values, traditions, and stories that shape who we are.
My hope is that every child who opens this book feels the same wonder, curiosity, and sense of belonging that I felt as a child.