We recently had the chance to connect with Dina O. Nasr and have shared our conversation below.
Dina O., it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I would always choose integrity. Intelligence and energy are valuable, but integrity is the foundation of true character. A person with a high level of integrity is trustworthy—you can turn to them for advice, support, or guidance without hesitation. They’ll be honest about whether they can help, or they’ll direct you to the best possible option.
Integrity reflects the values and attributes a person has built through life’s experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. To me, that makes it the most powerful quality, because it shapes how we connect with others, how we lead, and how we inspire trust.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! My name is Dina O. Nasr—I’m an Early Years educator, children’s author, and founder of Edukidzz, a brand dedicated to inspiring a love of learning and reading in young children. With over 14 years of experience in education across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, I’ve specialized in early childhood development, curriculum design, and teacher training.
I’m also the author of Spark the Sparkly Dragon and my latest release, Billy Bear’s Brown Hair. Both stories were born from my passion for using storytelling as a bridge to emotional literacy, honesty, and family connection. My books aren’t just stories—they’re tools for sparking meaningful conversations between children, parents, and teachers.
Through educators, I now focus on three exciting areas:
1- Author Visits – bringing interactive storytelling and creative activities into schools, nurseries, and libraries.
2- Parent & Educator Sessions:
*Emotional literacy–guiding children to recognize, express, and manage emotions through stories, role-play, and creative activities.
* Developing & Initiating Speech–supporting early speech and communication skills with engaging, interactive methods that encourage expression and vocabulary growth.
*Sparking Meaningful Conversations–introducing my signature approach (CSI), inspired by my book Spark the Sparkly Dragon, that helps adults foster open, trusting dialogue with children—building a foundation for honesty, empathy, and confidence.
3- Play-Based Experiences–my newest service, Morning Curated Play for Ages 2–5, designed to nurture creativity, early literacy, early maths, memory, and curiosity through sensory-rich, hands-on activities. This is a collaboration with another fellow author and early years educator, Ms Rahela.
What makes my work unique is that I don’t just write or teach—I merge both worlds. I take the heart of storytelling and pair it with the science of early childhood education. My vision is to raise readers, nurture emotional intelligence, and empower families and educators with tools that make learning joyful and meaningful.”
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I should be, I was a little girl with endless curiosity, scribbling poems in notebooks and dreaming of stories that could take people on magical journeys. I didn’t worry about rules or expectations—I just imagined, created, and let my heart guide me.
That child’s wonder never left me. Even now, as a mother, educator, and author, I try to nurture that same freedom in every child I meet—to let them explore, express, and believe in themselves. Remembering who I was before the world defined me reminds me that our truest selves are often the ones that inspire the most joy, courage, and connection.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Not long ago, I was offered an incredible opportunity to become the leading director of a highly reputable nursery in the heart of Dubai. It was a tempting offer and one that many would have jumped at immediately. But at that moment, I realized I wasn’t truly ready. I had just been navigating the grief of losing my beloved baby brother and needed time to heal and rebuild myself before I could give my full energy and focus to such a significant role.
It was a moment of honesty—with myself and with my employer. I had to take baby steps, prioritize my well-being, and only commit when I could give 100 percent. Changing my mind was difficult, but it was necessary to ensure I could show up authentically, fully present, and capable of making the impact I wanted to achieve.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
One truth I hold, even if it’s unpopular, is that taking the time to slow down, reflect, and honor our emotions is more important than constantly pushing forward or chasing achievements. In a world that celebrates speed, productivity, and instant results, many people see pausing as a weakness or lost time.
I’ve learned, through personal experiences and my work with children, that true growth—whether emotional, intellectual, or creative—requires patience, self-reflection, and sometimes even grief. Giving yourself the space to feel, process, and rebuild isn’t wasted time; it’s the foundation for being fully present, fully capable, and truly authentic in everything you do.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who inspired trust, kindness, and curiosity. I want the story told to be about a person who truly cared—who listened, encouraged, and helped children and families grow with love and patience.
I hope they say I left a legacy of joyful learning, meaningful conversations, and stories that sparked imagination and empathy. That I not only shared knowledge but also created spaces where children felt safe to express themselves, where families felt supported, and where educators were inspired to bring out the best in their students.
Above all, I want to be remembered for integrity, compassion, and the belief that small, thoughtful actions—whether a story, a conversation, or a moment of connection—can change lives.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edukidzz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-o-nasr-a8aa17208/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dinao9743
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
