Spreading My Wings

A touching story about being proud of who we are and embracing our differences, written by BBC TV star Nadiya Hussain.

I am a boy, and this is Rayf, my bird.

Rayf is my friend.

On his first day of holiday camp, a little boy arrives with his bird best friend perched proudly on his shoulder, but he soon discovers that he is different from everyone else - no one else has a bird. He hides Rayf away to try and fit in but it's hard to pretend to be someone else for long.

A beautiful story about finding the confidence to spread your wings and fly as your true self.

About the Author

Never again will she say she can't. Nadiya can and she will. Nadiya Hussain's delicious bakes and desserts, captivating smile and sparkling personality made her a hugely popular winner of 2015's Great British Bake Off.

Her first children's book, Nadiya's Bake Me a Story, hit the bestseller charts in 2016, and was shortlisted for a British Book Award. The follow-up, Bake Me a Festive Story, is out now. She has also published cookbooks for adults and novels, and has three television series to her name, The Chronicles of Nadiya, Nadiya's British Food Adventure and The Big Family Cooking Showdown. Having suffered with panic disorder herself for as long as she can remember, Nadiya wrote her first picture book, My Monster and Me, to help give children and parents the tools they need to talk about worries and anxiety.

Nadiya's family is originally from Bangladesh, where desserts aren't a feature of mealtimes. But, encouraged by a school home economics teacher, Nadiya honed her skills as a baker over ten years and produces fabulous bakes and desserts every day. She also loves to write, having won a National Poetry competition as a child.

Nadiya lives with her husband, Abdal and is mum to three gorgeous children.