Oh! To Touch the Sky A Story of Friendship, Wonder, and Sky-High Dreams

This story takes place on the colorful continent of Africa, in a big, beautiful country called Ethiopia. Far in the east, high up in the Ethiopian Highlands, the mountains rise tall and green, their peaks wrapped in soft clouds. In these mountains lies a bright, green valley where a young girl dreams of one day touching the sky.
The valley is full of life—sparkling streams twist and twirl through the fields, and tiny villages rest among the trees like little treasures. In one of those villages, called Luuco (say it like Luch'o), lived a girl named Saba. Her home was a cozy hut with a soft grass roof and strong walls made from wooden poles, woven bamboo, and smooth, cool mud.

Sabe Kemer is a passionate storyteller, wife, and mother whose Ethiopian heritage and childhood in a small village bring a fresh, heartfelt perspective to her writing. Her debut picture book, Oh! To Touch the Sky, celebrates the boundless power of imagination, friendship, and discovery. Blending lyrical storytelling with vibrant imagery, Kemer shares the universal wonder of creativity and curiosity through the lens of her rich cultural roots. Inspired by her own experiences as a child growing up in an Ethiopian village, she invites children and families around the world to see the beauty in their imaginations while staying grounded in kindness, courage, and connection.