Not yet The story of an unstoppable ice skater

Zahra is determined to be a figure skater, even though there's only one rink in her entire country. Her many detractors pepper her with questions, and to each query (Do you own a pair of skates? Do you have a fancy outfit? Have you ever had a lesson?), she responds with a confident, "Not yet." The next morning, her father takes her to the city, buys her skates, and takes her to the rink, where Zahra falls, and falls again, and again. After a particularly bad spill, her father gently asks, "Had enough?" Zahra slowly struggles to her feet, makes one more try, and, as she glides away, says, "Not yet!" This charming picture book is based on the life of Zahra Lari, the first woman to compete in international skating competitions while wearing a hijab. The affirming text is accompanied by bright, cheerful illustrations featuring characters with wonderfully expressive faces. Even when sprawled flat on the ice, Zahra is a totally relatable role model for her grit, courage, and determination.

Per an author's note, Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari (b. 1995) was inspired to take up the sport after seeing the movie Ice Princess, written by cocreator Davis. In their uplifting collaboration, the pair narrate a story of true determination as Lari, the first skater to internationally compete in a hijab, prepares to take the ice for the first time. Opening pages begin with the protagonist's exposure to the sport, which prompts an announcement: "I'm going to be a figure skater." When her brother wryly observes that she doesn't even know how to skate, her response--"not yet"--becomes the book's refrain. Other family members are similarly dubious, but Dad proves more supportive, and though Lari falls repeatedly during her initial skate, closing scenes that move abruptly on from this first effort show the eventual fruits of her labors. Alfageeh's digital renderings have inky outlines and amplify the titular refrain with lettering that takes on the shape of clouds or flowing textiles throughout this truncated, but no less triumphant, account. Creators' notes conclude. Ages 4--8. (Feb.)

In her debut picture book, Lari, the first figure skater to compete internationally while wearing a hijab, tells her story. After watching Disney's Ice Princess, young Zahra dreams of taking to the rink herself. Family and friends express skepticism, but she responds to comments such as "You don't know how to skate" with "Not yet." Family members point out that she's too old to start training, that she lacks access to skating rinks in the United Arab Emirates, that it's cold out on the ice, and that figure skaters don't look like her. As Zahra's "Not yet" shrinks into a whisper, her father hears its soft persistence and takes her to get a pair of skates. Though Zahra's first time on the ice doesn't meet her expectations, she refuses to give up, and her aspirations and skill continue to grow. The authors' notes in the back are delightful, emphasizing the power of realizing one's dreams. While the text focuses on the internal and familial barriers Lari faced, the backmatter discusses the obstacles she encountered when wearing her headscarf on the international stage. Alfageeh's illustrations capture contemporary and cultural designs, clothing, and landscapes of the UAE along with characters' cartoonish comedic facial expressions. Young Zahra's scarf flows with fantastic joy in many spreads, while the adult Zahra is depicted wearing sportswear hijabs. A stirring tale of perseverance. (illustrator's note) (Picture-book memoir. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.