Welcome, Uncle Nowruz! by Rashin Kheiriyeh

While I'm celebrating the Christmas pre-season full-swing...    Actually, do any of you have some treat ideas for peppermint sticks?

As I was saying, the Advent season is here, and I have all sorts of books to celebrate. But sneaking in right behind Christmas is New Year. At least, it will be for us here in America, but what about Persia? In Persia, the New Year is much later and takes place more toward the end of March. Isn't that a surprise? Honestly, I didn't know this and was excited to run across today's read to learn even more. Now, I don't think that this one is filled with facts, but I'm hoping it will hold cultural goodness and hold a fun tale.

So, let's discover more about the Persian New Year, shall we?

WELCOME, UNCLE NOWRUZ!

A Persian New Years Story

by Rashin Kheiriyeh

NorthSouth Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING FEBRUARY 26th!!!

Brilliant Iranian-American creator Rashin offers her fun and fresh spin on a classic Nowruz folktale.

Nane Sarma is winter herself, and every year she waits eagerly for her old friend, Uncle Nowruz. His job is to travel the land announcing the beginning of spring. But somehow, she always falls asleep before he arrives! This year, her three grandchildren will celebrate with her, so surely she will stay awake. But after the family shops for all seven items for the Haft-Seen table, finds beautiful new clothes, eats saffron ice cream and makes the traditional meal of fish and rice, Nane is knackered. Uh-oh . . .

A fun-filled romp through a favorite Persian holiday, sure to charm readers familiar with the Nowruz festival and inspire those for whom it is new.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This is a touching, fun tale, which invites to smiles while learning about the legend behind Nowruz and the new year festival.

Nane Sarma can't wait to meet with her friend, Uncle Nowruz, every year when he passes by to introduce the beginning of spring. She always prepares everything with care and concern. But for some reason, she always sleeps through his visit. So, her three grandchildren decide to help out and prepare everything with her, but they forget one of the required seven items! Nane Sarma isn't sure what to do, but this may not be the biggest problem after all. 

This is an inviting tale, which lures in thanks to the characters. Nane Sarma (who is actually winter) is an adorable grandmother, and her kindness immediately wins over. It's inspiring and warming to watch her grandchildren do their best to prepare for the festival. The scenes pack energy and fun, while offering details which add cultural goodness. The entire festival seems exciting and will have readers wishing they could join in as well. Even Nane Sarma's 'mishap', which is a bitter-sweet, hits just right to touch the heart and hope things will change the next year. It's a grabbing read with a smooth flowing tale,

The illustrations are bright and bold, and carry a touch of traditional feel while sliding into the Persian culture. They offer visual details surrounding the clothes, lifestyle and more, while letting the story take over with fairytale flair. The text makes for a lovely read aloud or works nicely for readers, who are sure of their words. 

And here she is...

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.
Go to Rashin Kheiriyeh's website