The Wishing Flower

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.★ "A strong ­purchase for all collections, especially as a social-­emotional text." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "An expertly drawn and composed introduction to self-discovery." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[Shows] exactly how it feels to be seen and understood as never before." —Publishers WeeklyA.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry beneath an old elm tree in Salt Lake City. As a children’s author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring kids to love books. She received a B.A. in journalism and women’s and gender studies from the University of Oregon. She is also the author of Dance Life a Leaf.

Kip Alizadeh is an Iranian-British visual artist, illustrator, and hand-letterer. Kip like cats and going running. They don’t like having wet socks. Kip lives in Belfast.