Dune Books was set up in December 2020 by Kate Rafiq.

Kate’s debut picture book, a tribute to the city that had been her home for over twenty years, is called Birmingham Boy. Inspired by her youngest child and the city’s streets, this picture book follows Birmingham Boy on a fun filled day out. He visits the library, goes swimming and even finds himself taking part in a demonstration. There is also a poignant underlying message that offers an opportunity for older children to explore the theme of homelessness and the importance of sharing and charity.

Kate published her second book in October 2021. The World is Your Masjid is a lighthearted set of rhymes with vibrant illustrations, to help show little Muslims that they can pray wherever they are in the world. In January 2022, The World is Your Masjid won the Muslim Bookstagram Award for Best Early Picture Book and in April 2024, the book was translated into Bahasa Indonesian.

We Are Here is Kate’s third book. This is the story of a young boy and his mother, as they make a long and difficult journey in search of safety. Full colour illustrations accompany meaningful prose poetry text in this call to empathy and action in these increasingly hostile times. In October 2024, We Are Here was short-listed for The Little Rebels Children’s Book Award. In February 2025, the book was selected for the Empathy Lab’s Read for Empathy Collection.