Roda Ahmed - Inspiring Young Readers

<p>Roda Ahmed is the author of <i>Mae Among the Stars</i>, the critically acclaimed children’s storybook which is a selection on Mrs. Bush’s 2020 reading list for kids.</p><p>Born in Somalia and raised in Norway, Roda speaks five languages — and has now founded her own publishing company. We talked to her on Zoom from her home in Oslo this summer about about why she wrote <i>Mae Among the Stars,</i> and how important representation is in children’s literature. We also discuss challenges she herself has had to overcome, and how she felt when she finally met Mae Jemison.</p><p><strong>Related Content</strong></p><ul><li>Mae Among the Stars: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mae-among-the-stars-roda-ahmed/1126245573" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mae-Among-Stars-Roda-Ahmed/dp/0062651730">Amazon</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bushcenter.org/readinglist2020">Mrs. Laura Bush Reading List for Kids, 2020</a></li><li><a href="http://www.laurabushfoundation.org">The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries</a> -- grant applications now open</li></ul>