Description

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"Enthralling" –Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Be a friend to everyone.” Rumi’s words are needed now more than ever. A picture book biography of the renowned Persian poet that introduces children to Rumi’s life and teachings.

Even the greatest poet was once a child. And so it was with Rumi. When he was young he was enchanted by birds and books. He later became a scholar, but it was the loss of his best friend, Shams, that inspired Rumi to his most important realization: Love is in us and everywhere.

The Persian mystic and poet Rumi is one of the best known and most widely read poets in the world. The renowned illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh herself comes from Iran. With this picture book she creates a touching memorial to Rumi's wisdom and warmth. The strong colors and ornamental details transport us to the Persian Empire in the 13th century. Yet Rumi's story and his poetry are timeless.

Written by award-winning Iranian-American artist Rashin Kheiriyeh,this narrative nonfiction picture book has been published to honor his life and the 750th anniversary of his death.

Includes backmatter on Rumi as well as an author's note.

About the Author

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Rashin Kheiriyeh is a multi-award-winning author-illustrator, animator, and painter who has more than ninety children’s books to her credit. Her books have been published in at least twelve countries and she was nominated for the 2023 & 2024 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to children's literature. She is also the recipient of a Sendak Fellowship Award, a 2009 New Horizon Award (Bologna Ragazzi), and is a six-time winner of the Bologna Book Fair Illustration competition. Rashin Kheiriyeh is the character artist of the most popular animation series on national television in Iran called “Shekarestan” (“Sugarland”). She now lives in Washington, DC.

Rumi—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, also known as Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi or simply as Rumi—(September 30, 1207–December 17, 1273) was a thirteenth-century Persian poet, theologian, and Sufi mystic. His poetry is revered around the world. He is currently considered to be one of the most popular poets in America. His words of wisdom and spirituality are just as pertinent now as they were in his time.

Praise For…

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". . . the focus is on Rumi’s childhood and his stories written for children, which will spark readers’ curiosity about his works and their deeper meaning. The gorgeous illustrations, rendered in bright vivid colors with stylized nature-inspired details, feature traditional Persian clothing, motifs, and calligraphy.

A beautifully rendered biography that will spur readers to contemplate themes of love and connection."
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A gentle, visually engaging introduction to one of the world’s most enduring poetic voices."
— The Horn Book

"Iranian illustrator Kheiriyeh lavishes the pages of this picture-book profile with luminous images of flowers, delicately drawn wildlife, and gracefully posed human figures"
— Booklist

Making her U.S. debut, Iranian-born illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh takes a tale by Rumi about freedom and makes it entirely her own. The glorious patterns on the clothes of Rashin's characters, the furniture, floors, walls and vessels immediately transplant readers to an exotic land.
— Shelf Awareness, on Two Parrots