What is Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers about?

LOUJAIN DREAMS OF SUNFLOWERS tells the story of a courageous girl who follows her dream of learning to fly. 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 her classmates’ taunts, she’s determined that she, too, will learn to do it -- especially because Loujain loves colors, and only by flying can she see the color-filled field of sunflowers her baba has described to her and she dreams about. Encouraged by Loujain’s mother, her baba 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 AlHathloul's sister, Saudi women's rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain AlHathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving, it’s a beautifully illustrated story that is as lyrical and moving as it is inspirational. 

Why would readers be interested in this book?

LOUJAIN DREAMS OF SUNFLOWERS is an unforgettable girl-power story with a global perspective, introducing a girl who pursues her dream of gender equality and a family that takes a stand against their own country’s unjust treatment of girls, accompanied by age-appropriate back-matter explaining the real-life story of Loujain AlHathloul’s fight for women’s right to drive in her native Saudi Arabia. 

The book features a father who’s an ally for his daughter, a mother who convinces him to do the right thing and fight gender bias, and a brave girl who stands up for what she believes despite social pressure, this story is full of positive role models.  

Who is the book for?

Parents and educators looking for stories that raise awareness of the fight for girls’ empowerment around the world and introduce children to the issue of gender inequality.

Fans of Malala’s Magic Pencil, She Persisted and other picture books that introduce real-life fighters for social justice, women’s rights, and human rights.

Children ages 4 to 8, and their parents, caretakers, and educators looking for an inspirational fantasy story about following your dreams, speaking up, believing in yourself, and working for change in the world. 

How did the co-authors of Loujain Dream of Sunflowers meet?

When Uma was the executive director of Women’s March Global, she invited Lina, who was living in Brussels, to give a statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. This was the first time a member of Loujain’s family had officially delivered a statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council – and Lina’s presence was so powerful. Following that event, the co-authors stayed in touch, given their shared commitment to fighting for Loujain’s freedom.

What was the idea behind writing a book inspired by Loujain and a book for young children?

Uma had Lina over to her home in Geneva during the United Nations Human Rights Council visit and Lina met Uma’s young daughter who started asking questions about Loujain’s case. Uma wondered how to talk with her daughter about the reasons why Loujain was (unjustly) in prison and, and while reading her daughter the Little People, BIG DREAMS and Rebel Girls books, the idea of a book as a way to address her daughter’s questions seemed a natural fit. Uma brought the idea to Lina and together they worked on bringing the story of Loujain to life.

Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers isn’t a biography. Why did you choose to tell a fictional story?

A lot of editors wanted to have a nonfiction account or a biography of Loujain, yet the co-authors didn’t want to do that for a few reasons: The co-authors were always thinking of Loujain and her family and didn’t want to do anything that could put Loujain or her family at further risk; and they wanted a story that was magical, a story with limitless possibilities. Something like a dreamscape - because fantasy is such a powerful way to inspire young children and for so many children of color this dreamscape isn’t visibly represented.