Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lama Abu-amara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lama, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission of My Busy Kitab is deeply rooted in my personal journey as a parent and my passion for preserving and celebrating Islamic values and cultural heritage. As a parent, I found myself searching for engaging, hands-on resources that could both educate my children and instill a sense of pride in their identity. I realized there was a gap in the market for interactive, meaningful tools that not only entertain but also teach our rich traditions, stories, and values in a way that resonates with young, curious minds.

This mission is meaningful to me because it’s about more than just creating a product—it’s about creating a bridge between generations. It’s about empowering parents like me to nurture their children’s faith and cultural identity in a world where it’s easy to feel disconnected. Through My Busy Kitab, I hope to spark conversations, create memorable bonding moments, and inspire a lifelong love for learning about our Islamic heritage. By equipping families with these tools, I believe we’re not just teaching children—we’re helping build a stronger, more connected community.

Lama, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Lama Abu-Amara, and I am the founder of My Busy Kitab, an interactive, faith-based educational brand for young children. The word “kitab” means “book” in Arabic, and it reflects the heart of what we provide—tools that combine learning and play while preserving the values and stories that are essential to our faith and culture. As a parent, I struggled to find resources that could introduce my children to Islamic values and cultural traditions in a fun, interactive, and age-appropriate way. This realization inspired me to create My Busy Kitab, a brand that fills that gap with thoughtfully designed busy books for toddlers.

Our products are much more than activity books—they are experiences. Each page of a Busy Kitab features hands-on activities like puzzles, matching games, and storytelling that teach children about topics like the stories of the Prophets, Palestinian culture, or traditional Islamic practices. These books not only entertain children but also nurture their fine motor skills, creativity, and critical thinking, while instilling a deep sense of pride in their identity.

What sets My Busy Kitab apart is our dedication to creating meaningful content that bridges the past and the present. We don’t just focus on teaching; we focus on connecting—connecting children to their roots, parents to their children, and families to their shared faith and culture.

What I want potential clients to know about My Busy Kitab is that this isn’t just a business—it’s a labor of love, born out of a desire to give children the tools to thrive spiritually, culturally, and intellectually. My ultimate goal is to create products that parents can trust and children will love, making every playtime an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with their identity.

We are launching soon and are very excited to be sharing this with you.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

We sell our products directly through our own Shopify website. When choosing an e-commerce platform, Shopify stood out because of its user-friendly interface, robust customization options, and scalability. It allows us to maintain complete control over the customer experience, from showcasing our brand identity to creating a seamless checkout process tailored to our audience.

One of the major advantages of Shopify is its flexibility. It provides tools to create a visually appealing and functional website while integrating easily with marketing and analytics tools. This helps us connect with customers and track performance efficiently. Shopify also offers secure payment options, which is essential for building trust with our audience, especially as we cater to parents who value safety and reliability when shopping online.

However, one potential downside is the cost—Shopify’s monthly fees and add-ons can add up, especially for a small business. Additionally, compared to marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy, driving traffic to our website requires more effort since we don’t have the built-in audience those platforms provide.

Despite these challenges, we chose Shopify because it allows us to fully own our brand and create a direct connection with our customers. For a mission-driven brand like My Busy Kitab, this level of autonomy is invaluable as it enables us to tell our story authentically and build a loyal community around our products.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

We don’t manufacture our products in-house; instead, we partner with a trusted vendor to bring our Busy Kitab books to life. Selecting the right manufacturer was a careful and thoughtful process, as we had to ensure that the quality of our products, fulfillment speed, and the working conditions of the manufacturing team aligned with our values and mission.

When I started My Busy Kitab, I had a clear vision for what the books should be—durable, safe for toddlers, and beautifully crafted. However, turning that vision into reality meant finding a partner who could meet those standards. I researched extensively, reached out to several manufacturers, and tested samples from various vendors to ensure the materials and printing quality were up to par. It was also important to me to work with a manufacturer that prioritizes ethical practices, including safe and fair working conditions for their employees.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of communication and collaboration with the manufacturer. Clear instructions and open dialogue about design, timelines, and expectations are key to ensuring the final product matches your vision. I also learned that patience and persistence are crucial—it can take time to find the right fit, but it’s worth the effort when you see the end result.

By working with a manufacturer that shares our commitment to quality and integrity, we’re able to deliver products that parents can trust and kids will love, while staying true to our brand’s values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.busykitab.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybusykitab/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybusykitab
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@my.busy.kitab

Image Credits

Lama’s Littles Photography