Roda Ahmed is the author of Mae Among the Stars, the critically acclaimed children’s storybook which is a selection on Mrs. Bush’s 2020 reading list for kids.

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 Mae Among the Stars, 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.

Related Content

• Mae Among the Stars: Barnes and Noble / Amazon
• Mrs. Laura Bush Reading List for Kids, 2020
• The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries -- grant applications now open