A Note to Caregivers

When we dream, we envision a world beyond our reality where the possibilities are endless and extraordinary. As caregivers, encouraging our children to follow their dreams is one of the greatest gifts we can offer them. Research shows that encouragement has beneficial effects on a child’s motivation. Encouragement from adults cultivates a growth mindset, leading to an increased desire to learn, more task persistence and better performance (even after failure), higher self-esteem, and the belief in improvement through effort.

While this book is intended for all children, for parents of girls (like myself), the importance of encouragement cannot be stressed enough. At a young age, girls are shaped by gender stereotypes in the world around them—for example, negative stereotypes that could discourage them from participating in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Studies have shown that gender stereotypes influence children’s motivation, including their beliefs around their own abilities and sense of belonging. This correlation is even stronger for girls of color, who are the least likely to report a sense of belonging in industries where women are underrepresented, such as in STEM fields. When children are free to challenge stereotypes and see others do the same, they are more likely to believe in their own potential and try things that interest them without giving undue weight to their mistakes and others’ opinions. As caregivers, we have the responsibility to help our children develop a positive self-image. Given the proven role of children’s literature in shaping self-image, this includes exposing our children, particularly those of color, to literature in which they can see themselves represented.

I hope that reading or listening to this story will inspire your child to reflect on how they can make their unique mark on the world—just like Princess Amina and her friends—and move you to encourage your child to be their ancestors’ wildest dreams.