Children’s Books by Iranian Authors
Now more than ever, it is important that we as Americans listen to Iranian voices. When you know someone, you can go beyond the headlines to see the real people they purport to represent. Learning someone’s story helps guard against apathy and encourages children to see the world through someone else’s eyes. The children’s books by Iranian authors are an excellent way to introduce children to stories that center Iranian characters. The list below represents a range of genres and topics. Some books focus on Iranian culture or the experience of immigration, while others teach emotional intelligence or how to appreciate parallels between diverse cultures.
Disclosure: I received copies of some of the books below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Children’s Books by Iranian Authors
Enjoy these children’s books by Iranian authors!
Many cultures have traditions to celebrate the change of seasons. This beautiful new book introduces young readers to the Persian festival of Nowruz, a spring festival that has been celebrated for more than one thousand years. This book is based on the folktale of Uncle Nowruz, who brings the spring each year. This year, Nane Sarma (who represents winter) is determined to stay awake to greet her old friend. She and her grandchildren rush to prepare the traditional haft seen table, but one ingredient is missing! What will happen if they cannot find it in time? And more importantly, can Nane Sarma stay awake this year?? A lovely story brought to life by Kheiriyeh’s signature artwork, introducing Persian spring traditions to a new generation.
Watch my interview with the author/illustrator.
Buy Welcome, Uncle Nowruz!: A Persian New Year’s Story on Amazon or Bookshop
Another recent book by Kheiriyeh is this lovely story about patience and learning to appreciate the beauty of each passing season. Parastoo misses her mother, who has left to work as a much needed nurse at the border. Parastoo’s grandparents assure her that, just as the swallows, her mother will return in the spring. As she waits, Parastoo learns to appreciate the beauty of each passing season, as she watches the colors change from one vibrant palette to another. This book is wonderful way to teach children that each season in nature (and life) passes away and brings another. It will have particular significance to those who must be apart from their parents, for work or other reasons.
Buy The Seasons of Parastoo on Amazon or Bookshop
This brand new book from the author of Dear New Friend LINK perfectly captures the emotions an immigrant child might feel as they struggle to communicate in a new language. The anger, frustration, and lonely are eloquently portrayed using vivid metaphors, underscored by vibrant illustrations. The author wrote this book to help children learning a new language feel seen as well as to help teachers understand what children in their classrooms may be experiencing. It also offers a creative solution to ease frustration and assist with communication: use of the arts!
Watch my interview with the author.
Buy An Invisible River to Cross on Amazon or Bookshop
As a tea drinker myself, I jumped at the chance to review this wonderful new picture book. It is a celebration of this remarkable drink, which has traveled the world, taking on a new life with new traditions in diverse cultures. Yet remarkably, in every culture tea carries many of the same meanings, representing care for oneself and for others, bringing together family, friends, and communities. This book explores the different ways tea is prepared and enjoyed around the world, each time reinforcing ties of love and affection.
Buy Tea Is Love on Amazon or Bookshop
This picture book about emotional intelligence is by the same author as Tea Is Love LINK. We all know kids that turn everything into a competition. (We might have been that kid!) Bijan knows that he always wins, even though his friends assure him that you can’t win at eating vegetables or drawing birds. Bijan wins, again and again, but soon no one is there to appreciate his victories. No one wants to play with him anymore, and Bijan soon realizes that what he most wants to win at is being a friend. A great book to provide some perspective to kids who always want to be the best.
Buy Bijan Always Wins on Amazon or Bookshop
This unique picture book is a modern day fable about facing our fears and discovering our own strengths. Leila runs from the mad cloud until it overtakes her. But in its depths she discovers a voice, too afraid to speak. Suddenly distracted from her own fears, Leila encourages the voice, finding a companion to wander the wilds with, searching for the way home. Despite Leila’s growing resourcefulness, the mad cloud proves too strong for her – but now the voice is strong and reminds Leila of her own strength. Told with spare text and vibrant, evocative illustrations, it is a story that children can map onto their own emotional journeys.
Buy Leila and the Voice on Amazon or Bookshop
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