Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers: A Story Inspired by Loujain Alhathloul
Authors: Lina Alhathloul & Uma Mishra-​Newbery
Illustrator: Rebecca Green
1 March 2022
mineditionUS
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “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 colors, and only by flying will she be able to 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–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.”

Need some reviews of Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers?

• Kirkus
• The New York Times
• Publisher’s Weekly

As a bonus, please enjoy a Sneak Peek of this book:

Educational Activities inspired by Lina Alhathloul & Uma Mishra-Newberry’s Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
  • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
  • What do you think this story will be about?
  • What emotion is the child on the cover feeling?
  • What do sunflowers make you think of?
  • What is the child on the back cover up to?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • How did you react to the initial question: Do you believe you can fly?
    
  • Why wasn’t Loujain allowed to fly?
  • How did you feel when the kids at school heard about Loujain’s dream of flying?
  • What was “the carpet of million sunflowers”?
  • What else might the idea of flying represent?
  • How did you react to the story’s final question: Do you believe you can fly?
• Writing–Now that Loujain has achieved her dream, what do you imagine she’ll do next? Write that story. If you want, create accompanying pictures with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Stories are best when shared, so consider sharing yours with a friend or family member.
• Dreaming–Since this story is about Loujain following her dream, answer the following about YOU and your own dreams:
  
  • Something I do that makes me feel good about myself is _______________.
  • Something I do that makes others feel good is ____________.
  • Something I’ve always wanted to do is________________.
  • My BIGGEST dream is to _____________.
• Crafting–Sunflowers play a key role in this story, so let’s create some of our own! Get an adult to help, just to be on the safe side: 
  • Noodle Sunflowers–It’s tempting, but don’t eat the uncooked noodles.
  • Paper Plate Sunflower–Easy to make and pretty to look at.
  • Popsicle Stick Sunflower–This one requires using a hot glue gun, so an adult’s help is a must.
  • Sunflower Cookies–Okay, this is baking instead of crafting, but it’s too yummy to ignore!
  • Sunflower Peeps Cake–See above note and add two extra “Yums!”
• Further Reading–Enjoy more picture books about following your dreams. Which of these have you already read? Which do you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)