The Wishing Flower
Illustrated by Kip Alizadeh
(Knopf BFYR, 2023)
An LGBTQ-inclusive story about understanding your peers, your feelings, and yourself, The Wishing Flower is a love letter to longing, belonging, and longing to belong.
Birdie finds comfort in nature and books, but more than anything she longs for connection, to be understood. At school, Birdie feels like an outsider. Quiet and shy, she prefers to read by herself, rather than jump rope or swing with the other kids. That all changes when Sunny, the new girl, comes along. Like Birdie, Sunny has a nature name. She also likes to read, and loves to rescue bugs. And when Sunny smiles at her, Birdie’s heart balloons like a parachute.
From the acclaimed author of Dance Like a Leaf, with stunning illustrations by Kip Alizadeh, this book will inspire readers to honor their wishes and show the world their truest selves.
Praise for The Wishing Flower
“An expertly drawn and composed introduction to self-discovery.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A strong purchase for all collections, especially as a social-emotional text.”—School Library Journal, starred review
“(Shows) exactly how it feels to be seen and understood as never before.”—Publishers Weekly
“Sometimes, it just takes one person to bring us out of our shell, give us a boost of self-confidence, and make us feel like we belong. Sometimes a special book can do that as well. The Wishing Flower is one of those books.”—Eric Rosswood, author of the Stonewall Honor book, Strong
