Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah

Queen Rania Al Abdullah is the Queen of Jordan and the author of the New York Times bestselling children’s book The Sandwich Swap, co‑written with Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Inspired by her own childhood experience, the book tells the story of two best friends from different cultural backgrounds who learn to appreciate each other’s traditions, and proceeds from the title support Madrasati, her initiative to improve disadvantaged public schools in Jordan.

Born Rania Al Yassin on August 31, 1970, in Kuwait to Jordanian parents of Palestinian origin, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo in 1991 and began her career in banking and information technology. She married then‑Prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein on June 10, 1993; when he became King Abdullah II in 1999, she assumed the role of queen and has since been internationally recognized for her advocacy in education, children’s rights, and cross‑cultural dialogue, areas that also inform the themes of The Sandwich Swap.