David Al Odeesh is a 2022 graduate of LCC’s MA TESOL program. David is making creative inroads for young English teachers and learners in his home country of Iraq. David recently published several books for children in English. Below is David’s story in his own words.

When did you start writing? What was your first book? 

- I started writing my first children’s book, Beeka the Bee, in June 2024.

How did you get the ideas for the books? Are these fictional stories or real life? 

- Various concepts ideas inspired me to write these books. My love for bees led to the creation of Beeka the Bee. My fondness for adventure inspired Shala and the Blue Ring. The Two Siblings was inspired by two children I know. Driven by my love of questioning, I created the characters Seekman and Question Marks. Reflecting on the unrealistic pressure to be special, I created Co-P2, the robot and The Ninety-Nine Percent, who finds his uniqueness in being true to himself. Thus, the Anywhere, Anytime Children’s Books collection aims to offer a wide variety of genres – from thrilling adventures to imaginative fantasies and relatable realistic fiction – guaranteeing every child finds something to love!

How did you get them published?  Which company or website? 

- I am personally publishing these books and overseeing all aspects of the process. The books are aimed at children aged 4 up to 12 years.

Do you enjoy writing books? Why? What is your motivation?

- I enjoy writing children’s books; more than words can say! There's something incredible about taking an idea, a feeling, or a thought and turning it into a whole world that children can explore. This is to spark every child’s imagination, and maybe even teach a little something along the way. It's incredibly fulfilling to know that my work can have a positive impact, even in a small way.

My main motivation is to write stories that take children to new places, introduce them to interesting characters, and leave them feeling inspired. If I can write a book that makes a child laugh, think, or feel understood, then I've done my job. Ultimately, I write because I believe in the power of stories to shape young minds and make the world a better place, one book at a time.

What was one challenge in the writing or publishing process and how did you overcome it? 

- As this was my first writing and publishing experience, the biggest challenge was the sheer lack of guidance. I had to figure everything out myself, from start to finish, with absolutely no prior experience. To my knowledge, there are no local communities of authors, illustrators, or self-publishing experts to turn to for advice. The search for illustrators who truly aligned with my writing and vision also proved to be a significant hurdle. Thankfully, I had the unwavering support of my family and friends throughout the process.

How can English teachers use these books in their classes? Which level of students do they work with? 

- Besides the objectives of raising cultural awareness, building perspectives, learning moral and ethical lessons, enjoyment of reading and strengthening family bonds, linguistic development is a major drive of Anywhere, Anytime Children’s Books. 

Short stories can play a significant role in the development of the target language that a child is acquiring, which in this case is English. Reading short stories in classrooms enhances reading comprehension skills, enriches vocabulary, and improves fluency and narrative abilities. This, in turn, contributes to the overall literacy skills of any child.

See for yourself. Here are the links to David’s books. Congratulations, David! Keep writing! We hope to see more of your books in print or online.

David Al Odeesh ISBN - Iraq

Author: Robin Gingerich, Ph.D., MA TESOL Program Director at LCC International University.