Description

A courageous girl follows her dream of learning to fly in this beautifully illustrated story inspired by imprisoned human rights activist Loujain Al-Hathloul, perfect for Malala’s Magic Pencil fans. 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 that some day, she too will learn to do it–especially because Loujain loves colours, and only by flying will she be able to see the colour-filled field of sunflowers her baba has told her about. Eventually, he agrees to teach her, and Loujain’s impossible dream becomes reality–inspiring other girls to dare to learn to fly. Inspired by co-author Lina Al-Hathloul’s sister, formerly imprisoned Saudi women’s rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain Al-Hathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving. This gorgeously illustrated story is lyrical and moving.

Publisher Review

A "clever narrative" filled with "extraordinary spirit... gorgeous colors... a magical quality." - New York Times One of the 20 Best Books To Read in March: "Poetic, moving, and empowering." - Kirkus Reviews "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 Readers One 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 "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 "Successfully makes a real-life issue accessible for the youngest audiences." - Publishers Weekly "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 "This inspiring book would make an excellent discussion starter with older elementary students. The information about Loujain AlHathloul 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 "A story about freedom for women, dreaming big, and a beautiful thread of love between a father and his daughter. ... the illustrations are just completely spectacular." - Read with River