Meet Jamee Natella

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jamee Natella a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamee, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My purpose found me through storytelling, travel, and a deep passion for cultural education. As someone who has traveled the world with my son, Sam I saw firsthand how transformative it is for children to experience different cultures not just through travel, but through stories that ignite curiosity and connection.

This inspired me to create Worldride Adventures, a brand designed to bring the world to children in an engaging, immersive way. I recently launched the advanced reader copy of my book, Sam in London: Cheeky Kids, Medieval Blokes, and Giant Trousers, the first in a series that introduces young readers to different countries, their unique histories, and the nuances of language and culture. I wanted to make learning about the world feel like an adventure -fun, accessible, and inspiring.

Through my books, digital experiences, and even the eco-friendly backpacks we designed, my goal is to spark curiosity, foster global awareness, and give kids the tools to see the world beyond their own backyard.

So in many ways, my purpose was always there I just followed my passion for storytelling, cultural exchange, and education, and it led me to create something that I hope will make a difference for the next generation.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Im thrilled to share what I do and what makes it so special. At my core, I am a storyteller and creator, and I believe in the power of education through immersive experiences. Worldride Adventures was born from my passion for travel and cultural exchange, shaped by my career as a film and commercial producer. Traveling with my young son, Sam, I watched him navigate new cultures firsthand, often asking thought-provoking questions that challenged me to explain the nuances of cultural differences in a way he could understand.

When I searched for books to help him grasp these concepts, I found plenty of travel guides for parents, highlighting monuments and activities, but nothing designed specifically to help a child make sense of cultural differences when they felt out of place in a new environment. That gap is what inspired me to create both this book and this brand to give kids a fun, engaging, and relatable way to understand different cultures beyond just sightseeing.

I recently launched my advanced reader copy of my book, Sam in London: Cheeky Kids, Medieval Blokes, and Giant Trousers, which is the first in a three-book series designed for kids ages 6 to 11. This is a chapter book, not a picture book, and there is really nothing quite like it on the market.

This isn’t just a book about landmarks or places to visit its about helping kids truly understand cultural differences in a way thats fun, adventurous, and relatable. It answers questions like:

Why do people in the UK drive on the left side of the road instead of the right?

Where did Cockney slang come from?

What is a duck tour, and why is it such a unique experience?

Rather than presenting these as facts in a textbook, the story immerses young readers in these cultural differences through adventure, allowing them to experience these concepts firsthand alongside the main character, Sam.

Beyond the book, I’ve built an entire brand around Worldrideadventures.com, including an interactive website where kids can explore British English vs. American English, learn about famous global authors, and engage with travel-inspired activities in a way that extends beyond the pages of the book.

One of the most exciting expansions of the brand is our custom-designed backpacks, which match the characters in the book. We started with the Sam and Taylor backpacks, which are sustainably made in partnership with Ground Truth. These backpacks are designed with real kids in mind and feature:

A secret pocket

Waterproof material

Extra padding for back support

An integrated charging port for cords for phones and devices

Whats even more important to me is that this brand is about giving back. With every book purchased, we are helping to fund education initiatives for children who might not have the opportunity to travel or experience different cultures firsthand. I’ve also launched a foundation www.wolrdrideimpact.org that allows people to donate toward scholarships for kids and to help public schools rebuild their libraries, especially in light of the devastating LA fires. Many schools lost valuable resources, and I want to ensure that students have access to up-to-date, culturally diverse books that enrich their education.

At this stage, I am looking to expand the series and secure a publishing deal, as this is just the beginning. My vision is to continue creating books, experiences, and products that inspire children to embrace the world with curiosity and understanding.

I encourage everyone to purchase the book and visit WorldrideAdventures.com to explore all that we are building. With your support, we can make a difference in children’s education while fostering a love for travel and cultural exploration.

This is just the start of an exciting journey, and I can’t wait to see where it leads!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most important qualities that have been impactful in my journey as both a producer and an author are:

1. Listening, Collaboration & Finding the Right Team“ Whether in filmmaking or writing, truly listening to others from diverse voices to industry experts helps shape authentic and relatable stories. But just as important is trusting the right team to execute your vision. Its incredibly difficult to find people who not only collaborate well but also have the taste and expertise to bring your ideas to life at the highest level. Surrounding yourself with skilled, like-minded creatives makes all the difference.

2. Research & Cultural Curiosity As an author, especially one writing about different cultures, research is key. I’ve learned to immerse myself in different traditions, languages, and humor to make stories engaging for young readers. The goal is to introduce cultural differences in a way that’s fun and easy to understand without feeling like a textbook.

3. Balancing Education with Entertainment Whether producing content or writing for kids, storytelling has to engage first. I’ve learned to keep things fun, adventurous, and light, weaving in humor so that young readers stay entertained while learning. If it’s too dense, they’ll lose interest so the key is making education feel like an adventure.

My advice for Others would be, take time to listen, learn, and stay curious. Engage with people from different backgrounds, ask questions, and immerse yourself in new experiences. But just as important, surround yourself with the right team of people who not only execute your vision but also elevate it. The more you understand and the stronger your collaborators, the richer and more impactful your storytelling will be.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

One of the biggest challenges I face is that my children’s book doesn’t fit neatly into a traditional style the way Ive written it.
Sam in London, Cheeky Kids Medieval Blokes is a chapter book, but it incorporates education and cultural learning in a fun, engaging way

Many publishers prefer books that follow a traditional format, and because my book blends adventure, humor, and cultural exchange with a unique learning component, it doesn’t fit the mold they are used to. However, I believe it’s okay to challenge traditional formats when the goal is to create something that truly resonates with kids. I did extensive research on what actually helps children learn, and I wanted to develop a book for them not just for the industry. That’s why my book includes keywords and references that help children understand British vs. American English, almost like cliff notes, but in a way that feels engaging and natural rather than overly academic.

Right now, my biggest challenge is finding the right publisher ( I currently have one in Japan) who sees the value in this new approach. The children’s book market is saturated, often focusing on emotional intelligence and social themes, which are important but my book is about cultural exchange, something incredibly relevant in today’s world. It encourages curiosity about how other people live, speak, and experience daily life which, in many ways, is just as crucial in shaping young minds.

So, my main hurdles are getting publishers to understand the vision and expanding circulation to reach the right audience. But I truly believe there is a demand for books that broaden a child’s worldview through storytelling, and I am excited to continue pushing forward to make that happen.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photography- Matthew Mitchell
Make up- Trisha Gossett
Hair- Tatum Mahoney
Styled -Daniel Sepulveda

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