Not Yet: The Story of an Unstoppable Skater

by Zahra Lari, Hadley Davis, Sara Alfageeh (Illustrator)

A universal story about courage and determination that is loosely based on the life of five-time Emirati National Champion, Zahra Lari, who was the first figure skater to compete internationally in a hijab.

After watching an ice-skating movie, young Zahra sets her mind to learn how to ice skate even though her family and friends doubt her abilities. After all, she's too old to learn, the rink is too cold, and figure skaters don't look like her... not yet at least! Illustrated with Sara Alfageeh's energetic lines and colors that pop right off the page, we follow Zahra's story as she glides across the floors of her house in her socks all the way to the ice rink... and as she repeatedly says ''not yet'' to naysayers -- including herself -- who try to convince her to stop pursuing her dream. An inspiring tale of self-empowerment and perseverance as we see the refrain -- not yet -- grow from a low, meek mumble to a mantra and promise filled with determination.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Muslims, Childrens, Biography Memoir

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh I didn’t know that Zahra was inspired by Ice Princess!

This was a great informational picture book about Zahra’s determination to become a figure skater while also breaking the mold on who can/cannot become skaters. I had no idea that they deducted points from her performance for wearing a hijab because they thought it was a dangerous prop. The pure ignorance of this thought process blows my mind, but I’m happy that she fought for her right to skate and that rules preventing her from wearing a hijab were officially removed. This had bright and fun illustrations and definitely gives a more diverse perspective of the figure skating community.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my daughter’s current favorite book. She loves saying “not yet!” as we read the story.

[Kirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really cute.  The inspiration behind the story is impressive, but even if it was complete fiction, it would still be a cute book.  Over 40 pages, the illustrations and simple text introduce you to Zahra, a young girl in the UAE with big dreams and a lot of determination.  And that is before she even sets foot on the ice.  Four to eight year old kids will enjoy the humor, with the older readers appreciating what she was able to overcome and accomplish.  Adults will appreciate the authors' and illustrator's notes at the end and seeing their kids being inspired to pursue their dreams.

The book begins with Zahra watching a movie at a theater and being inspired by the skaters on the screen.  She slides across the floor in her socks that night when she gets home, and declares she is going to be a figure skater.  Her brother points out that she doesn't know how to skate. When she asks her friend to make her a costume, it is revealed that she isn't even taking lessons. It seems everyone wants to point out the flaws in Zahra's plans.  To which she responds, "not yet."

Luckily her dad supports her, and takes her to the only ice skating rink in the country, where she promptly falls over and over again.  But there is something to be said for not giving up, and the true story of Zahra Lari shows that sometimes you have to be the one to break the barriers and remove the "not yets" on the path to achieving your dreams.

[Kendi Freelain]

Not Yet: The Story of an Unstoppable Skater by Zahra Lari and Hadley Davis, illustrated by Sara Alfageeh is the beautiful true story of Zahra Lari, the first international figure skater to compete with a hijab. When young Zahra sees an ice-skating movie, she is beyond inspired and decides to become a figure skater. However, her friends, and even her family, are reluctant to support her and encourage her on her new journey because of her age and the fact that she is a hijabi. Well, Zahra proves everyone wrong by defying the odds and becoming a professional figure skater, with her hijab on! Growing up in a Muslim family, this story resonates with me because I know what it is like to feel judged or different because of a head covering. However, stories like this are essential for young readers, Muslim and non-alike, to be exposed to stories of confidence, strength, and resilience like in ‘Not Yet”.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are Middle Eastern and everyone tells you that ice skaters don't look like you, ice rinks are not near where you live, and your dream of being a skater is not likely to happen, you simply answer, "Not Yet". This book is perfect for young children who have dreams of a sport, especially if they want to learn a sport where no one is like them. If your students like sport books, do not miss this picture book biography!

This book is joy! Zahra has spunk, spirit, and her dreams do matter. I am grateful that her father felt the same way and gave her the chance to learn the sport. She is making change that all athletes around the world need to see happen. I want this book in all my school libraries!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of Zahra Lari is encouraging for young skaters. When she was eleven, she saw the movie Ice Princess and wanted to skate. Though her family was discouraging as they lived in a desert country and no one looking like her skated, her father supported her and she persevered to become the first Muslim to skate in a hijab and wear clothing appropriate for her culture and faith. Together with Hadley Davis (the screenwriter for Ice Princess), she created this book to share with others who want to pursue their unlikely dreams.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing the movie Ice Princess, young Zahra dreams of becoming a skater, but it seems like no one believes she can. She reminds herself that no one will think her dreams are impossible once she's done them and goes on to be a world-champion figure skater.

This book distinctly focuses on the "not yet" part of achieving one's dreams. Zahra's character is well-crafted and illustrated in a magical playful way. I may have enjoyed the author's note more than the book itself, but I'll still be sharing and recommending this book for a long time.

[Maleeha Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute with expressive, joyful illustrations. I love how the words "never give up" come up once in the text, but the "not yet" throughout implies the same message. I also really like how it's not a complete biography of Zahra Lari's life from how she began skating to becoming a champion figure skater. Instead, the book focuses on the early obstacles in the way of Zahra achieving her dreams and how she was able to set foot on the ice for the first time.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Yet is cleverly told. It has a delightful sense of humor and a wonderful translation of Zahra's determination where she would have otherwise been thwarted. I enjoyed the lovely palette and expressive energy in the illustrations.

Not Yet has a great message that should appeal to those beyond figure skating.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice story. I found the illustrations a little strange because I'm used to the specific geometric design being paired with desi Muslims.. (the design with a small flower inside each 8-pointed star, it's from a Muslim tomb site in India) I guess it's not so big of a deal... idk. but great story.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brief introductory story of how a girl from the UAE became the first Muslim hijabi to win medals in ice skating. The author describes how no one from her family except her father believed in her dreams. The uplifting bright illustrations are colorful and full of emotion.

The authors' and illustrator's notes are informative for adults and inspiring for older children.

[Shannonmde]

Is this story what I expected? Yes.
Did it make me happy? Also, yes.
I like that skater was inspired by the movie Ice Princess and then the author of the screenplay Ice Princess saw that in a news article and reached out and the end result is they wrote a book together.
Now to keep trying to fine tune my social media feeds for more targeted content related to ice skating.

[K.C. Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the details of this book are so specific, and yet the message could apply to any young reader. The art is perfect, too. The story of how this bool came to be boggles the mind, too. Loved it.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight! The way the repeated refrain was depicted in the illustrations was so effective. Moved me, as an inspirational skating book should! :)

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really unique and inspiring true story, but I wanted more information. The ending felt very abrupt and left me with a lot of questions.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a girl who followed her dream; not enough information for students to be able to do much with in regards to reports; nevertheless, a nice package.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this.

[Svapna Sabnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and uplifting

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for showing commitment and not giving up. Also true story and discrimination lessons. Great illustrations!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Introducing the first hijabed female skater on the international competitive front.

[Denicemarcell]

Winter Read 2026 Middle Eastern author, illustrator and subject.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This inspirational picture book is based off of Zahra Lari's story as the first figure skater to compete at an international level with a hijab. Born in the UAE, she convinced her dad to buy her her first pair of skates and take her to lessons at the ONLY skating rink to exist at the time where she worked her butt off.

Fast forward to her first competition where she was docked points for her "costume", but it wasn't her costume, it was her hijab. She met the writer of her story, Hadley Davis, who had written the movie Ice Princess that inspired her to want to skate. They they pulled the amazing Sara Alfageeh to do the illustrations and what you have is a story of GROWTH MINDSET because "not yet" is the best response.

[Holli Schoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Should buy for every child's birthday this year