Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root using the book Kites and Lemonade by Yamin bint Ahmad. In this sequence the children arrive to discover cat footprints that lead to an ancient chest containing various items, including a lemonade bottle and a leatherbound journel with instructions for making a kite. They make their own kites and are encouraged to consider what a kite festival is like. While exploring the book the children learn about 3 young girls who become friends and go on a journey of invention and discovery. They explore themes of friendship and kindness. They write in role in diary entries and they create their own narrative sequels for the next adventure that the girls might go on!

Synopsis of text:

In this brilliant book by Yasmeen bint Ahmad, we follow the tale of Leena who suffers from selective mutism and moves to Riyadh as her father has a new job there. We see her make new friends with Rima, who is blind, and Jojo, who has a secret. Together, the girls discover a mysterious room with an ancient workshop full of books. It's an inclusive tale about friendship and forgiveness, as well as kites and lemonade. 

Text rationale: 

This brilliantly authentic book, written by author Yasmeen bint Ahmad, is set in Riyadh and centres around a young girl named Leena who moves because of her father’s job  and who has a rare condition called selective mutism. Her new friend Rima, who is blind, helps her with a project to make lemonade and kites. The girls navigate new friendships and this book subtly showcases females in stem through the development of kites. The book carefully places inclusivity at its heart in a natural narrative created by Yasmeen bint Ahmad, who has a BA in Childhood studies with a focus on disabled children in literature and an MA from UCL in Sociology of Childhood and Children’s Rights. This is Ahmad’s first middle-grade novel, having previously written picture books about differently abled children. We are sure that children will enjoy the narrative and the representation in this beautifully crafted adventure!

Links and themes: 

Freedom & flight, family & friendship, friendship & kindness, invention & innovation

Date written: June 2026