A courageous girl follows her dream of learning to fly in this "clever narrative" filled with “extraordinary spirit… gorgeous colors… a magical quality” (New York Times). Inspired by formerly imprisoned human rights activist Loujain AlHathloul, this sparkling fantasy story is perfect for fans of Malala’s Magic Pencil and the Rebel Girls series.
"Poetic, moving, and empowering.” - Kirkus Reviews
Loujain watches her beloved baba attach his feather wings and fly each morning, but her own dreams of flying face a big obstacle: only boys, not girls, are allowed to fly in her country. Yet despite the taunts of her classmates, she is determined to do it—especially because Loujain loves colors, and only by flying can she see the color-filled field of sunflowers her baba has told her about. Eventually, he agrees to teach her, and Loujain's impossible dream becomes reality—and soon other girls dare to learn to fly.
Based on the experiences of co-author Lina AlHathloul's sister, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain AlHathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving, this moving and gorgeously illustrated story reminds us to strive for the changes we want to see—and to never take for granted women's and girls' freedoms.
2022 Winner of the Middle East Book Award (picture book)A Bookstagang Best Picture Book BiographyA Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year Rise: A Feminist Book Project TitleMSNBC Gift Guide: 12 Incredible Books to Inspire Young Girls To Know Their Value "Read this if you want a powerful and moving story about how sometimes rules are meant to be broken….beautifully-illustrated ...introduces readers to the idea that unfair rules can be changed."
—Ciarra Chavarria, @girlsreadtheworld via MSNBC.comA "clever narrative" filled with “extraordinary spirit… gorgeous colors… a magical quality.”
—The New York TimesOne of the 20 Best Books To Read in March: "Poetic, moving, and empowering.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Successfully makes a real-life issue accessible for the youngest audiences.”
—Publishers Weekly“Beautiful and powerful and moving. A must-read.”
—The Conscious Kid
“One of the Best Children's Books of 2022 (So Far). With dreamy illustrations, this is a story to read before bed to inspire dreams of courage and to read during the day to remind us not to give up.” —
Tinybeans”Heroic and emotional text … striking illustrations…. This gorgeously illustrated book inspires hope and reminds readers always to fight for justice."
—Shelf Awareness for ReadersOne of the Most Anticipated Picture Books of 2022
—Mutually Inclusive"This heart-filling and beautifully presented story will entice our children, parents, and teachers alike to support and empower our future change-makers where it is needed in the world around us.”
—Yasmine Aslam-Hashmi, We Need Diverse Books “Beautiful…a story of exemplary courage and resilience…an inspiration for children around the world."
—Equality Now“A must read
.” —Book Trib“A tender, metaphorical book that tells an important story with imagination and beauty….. an inspirational starting point for kids everywhere to be empowered in knowing that they too can dream big and fight for what is right. ….a must have for Women’s History Month (and beyond!).”
—Inclusive Storytime"Loujain's story is incredible in every sense of the word, and she's someone every kid should learn about…..gorgeous."
—Girls Read the World“A beautiful fable of courage and equity
.” — Books to Borrow, Books to Buy, nationally syndicated column"Inspiring... would make an excellent discussion starter with older elementary students....gives a real-world example about protesting unjust laws."
—Kids Book A Day"Readers will consider gender equity and the differences in culture then consider what they’ll do with their own wings — and how to give wings to others.”
—Imagination Soup
