The Parrot and the Merchant by Marjan Vafaian translated by Azita Rassi

Mah Jahan was a merchant. She collected beautiful things to sell but she also collected birds.

"She kept them in cages or in chains so they couldn't fly away and leave her."

Her favourite bird was a colourful talking parrot from India. Setting off to trade in India, Mah Jahan asked her parrot:

"Tell me what I can bring you to make you happy."

Do you know what will make this parrot happy? 

Here are all her goods loaded onto her camels:

Just as she was about to head back home, Mah Jahan remembered to ask the wild parrots for advice - what will make her parrot at home happy? These parrots cannot talk of course and sadly one dies after hearing the question. On her return, Mah Jahan tells her parrot she has no answer to the question of happiness and that one of the wild parrots had dropped dead. 

"Mah Jahan's parrot said nothing, but after a moment it too suddenly went still, and it dropped to the floor of the cage."

Can you guess what happens when Mah Jahan opens the cage and gently lifts out her precious parrot. YES, it is a trick, and the parrot flies off to freedom (and back to India).

This book has the most wonderful art and a very satisfying story. Be quick - this book in hardcover is available now for a really good price. Since it was published in 2017, I am sure it will soon be out of print. I highly recommend adding this one to your library collection - the art is scrumptious. Or look for the paperback edition [9781910328255]. 

Publisher (Tiny Owl) blurb: This exquisitely illustrated story is an enchanting fable exploring how hard it is to give something you love freedom. The merchant Mah Jahan loves to keep colourful birds in cages, especially a parrot who can talk to her. But when the parrot asks her to bring something back from her trading trip to India, Mah Jahan learns a valuable lesson about how to treat the things and people you love.

This old Rumi tale is adapted by making the merchant a woman but is not otherwise significantly modernized. Iranian illustrator Vafaeian’s ornamented, often surreal illustrations depict Mah Jahan in enormous, colorful skirts and frequently surrounded by comparatively tiny servants. The parrot’s cage is likewise stylized, an ornamented circle that contains the unhappy captive. ...  This 900-year-old story has not lost its classic feel. Kirkus

Read about Marjan Vafaian here.

Try to find some other books about the thirteenth century poet and philosopher Rumi.

Read more about this book here.

Read more about this book here.

This story might remind you of The Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen.

When I Colored in the World by Ahmadreza Ahmadi illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi translated by Azita Rassi

 

I rubbed out the word ... and wrote the word ... 

Begin with this video from Tiny Owl which is an animation of this book

• desert becomes roses with the red crayon
• darkness becomes light with the yellow crayon
• boredom becomes playing with the sky blue crayon

Book Depository blurb: With a box of colored crayons and an eraser to rub things out, one child sets out to transform the world. By rubbing out 'hunger' and coloring in 'wheat', the world can be fed. By rubbing out 'crying' and coloring 'laughter', the world gets to sing, dance and be joyful. Told with poetic simplicity, this book shows how creative imagination - through the use of color and imagery - can change the world from bad to good. An unusual and deceptively simple picture book that imagines a world without discrimination, poverty or inequality.

The text in this book comes from a poet - Ahmadreza Ahmadi is an Iranian poet and screenwriter. The history of Persian modern poetry calls him the founder of New Wave Poetry in Iran. Ahmadi was born in 1940 in Kerman, Iran. He moved to Tehran in 1948.  

I am not exactly sure how I discovered the Iranian illustrator Ehsan Abdollahi but when I saw the cover and later some inside pages of When I Colored in the World which was originally written in Persian,  I knew I wanted to take a close look at this book and also a closer look at other books by this illustrator. (see below).

It is a message throughout that offers opportunities for discussion at each turn of the page with endless possibilities for children to use their own colours to create their own worlds of hope and a kinder place to be. English Association UK

In this video you can see Ehsan at work. Here is an interview with Ehsan where he shares his thoughts about the importance of libraries! 

Ehsan Abdollahi’s work is inspired by the environment and the patterned fabrics of South Iran. Picture Books in ELT

The Little Black Fish by Samad Behrangi illustrated by Farshid Mesghali translator Azita Rassi

ماهی سیاه کوچولو

"There was something wrong with Little Black Fish. He ached with longing to go beyond the stream, and to discover for himself what might be there. ... 'I must swim beyond the stream. I want to see if the stream goes on and on, or whether it comes to an end."

Everyone in this part of the stream warns Little Black Fish against the ridiculous, dangerous and unnecessary idea of leaving.  Little Black Fish tells his mother: "Perhaps there is more to life, and perhaps the world is more than our stream.' (No) 'Our stream is the world!' said his mother." Finally Little Black fish takes the plunge and and he slides down the waterfall. His journey has begun and, yes, the is a world beyond his home. He meets other creatures such as tadpoles, a frog, a crab and a shepherd boy with his sheep. A lizard warns him about the dangers that will be ahead - especially the danger of pelicans and later the danger of seabirds.

The lizard kindly gives Little Black Fish a small knife which he explains can be used to cut his way out of the pelican's pouch. 

"The more that Little Black Fish found out about the world, the more he realised that it was a dangerous as well as a beautiful place."

I am not going to share the ending because it is sure to shock you and lead to some very interesting discussions with your reading companion or senior Primary class. 

Publisher blurb Tiny Owl: Little Black Fish may be small, but he has big questions and a determination to find answers to them. While his fellow fish are too scared to do anything different from their set routine, Little Black Fish swims over the edge of the pool, into the stream and river which will show him much more of the world. He meets wonders and adventures, dangers and beauty. He makes it all the way to the sea, and finds his answers.

In 2012 I attended the IBBY Congress in London.  In one of the concurrent sessions the presenter Rosana Faría from Venezuela (illustrator of The Black Book of Colours) talked about her book Jacaraca, Perereca och Tiririca which she described as: An examination of the process of illustrating a story by Brazilian author Ana Maria Machado which resonated with the situation in Venezuela, a country which received immigrants in the 19th & 20th centuries and is now experiencing emigration. The story shows that strength is in unity and perseverance.  This session has lingered with me all these years later because Rosana astonished me when she explained how this book was actually a way to share a very powerful political message and how proud she was that the government authorities had not detected this. Her book could so easily have been banned but it was dismissed as a simple children's book - and therefore harmless!

When I ordered and received The Little Black Fish I thought again about Rosana's book.  The Little Black Fish could also be viewed as a simple fable for children but in this case Samad Behrangi's book written in 1968, did come to the attention of the authorities in Iran and it was banned but today it is one of their most famous children's books. I know the banning of books is a shocking thing but in this instance I am cheering because it shows this is not just a children's book - it can a powerful device with an important and a message!

Here is a quote from the final pages of The Little Black Fish: 

" First published in 1968, The Little Black Fish was written and read as a allegory for a nation in which is was dangerous to dare to be politically different. The book was banned in pre-revolutionary Iran. The simplicity of a 'children's story' about a fish daring to mix with other kids of creatures and other ways of life, offers a useful case for discussion by all ages about the big questions at the heart of political debate. Meanwhile, younger children will engage with the more individual experience of Little Black Fish. Would they dare go against what their protective mothers tell them? Can that ever be a good idea? The dangers are clear in this story, but so too are the rewards. Can they imagine what it was like for Little Black Fish, seeing new creatures and places for the first time? Being attacked and making new friends?"

You can see more art from this book here on Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast. And take a look at the book trailer from Tiny Owl. 

About the author and illustrator: Samad Behrangi was an Azeri teacher born in Tabriz. He collected folk tales and wrote tales for children in Azeri, Turkish and Persian. He was one of Iran's most influential authors and teachers. His tragically early death, rumoured to have been ordered by the Iranian government, has given him a legendary status. Farshid Mesghali is an Iranian animator, graphic designer, illustrator, animator and writer. In 1974, he received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his "lasting contribution" as a children's illustrator.

At long last, books beloved by Iranian children can be enjoyed by children. ... It’s a book is about freedom, confinement, human possibility.  Like all the best picture books, it is both simple and profound. David Almond

Here is the cover from Iran:

What could that be? Reza Dalvand translated by Baobab Books.

 

One day, the forest gleamed in colours more beautiful than ever before. 

There in a clearing, between trees that glittered green and red, lay something small.

Well, what could that be?

The leopard thinks it may be one of her spots. A crow thinks it might be a piece from a star. The fox thinks it could be a jewel that has been lost by the princess. 

"The bear thought the object was a bit of horseshoe from the hoof of a warhorse. The enemy was near!"

The owl thinks it might be a dragon's egg. 

"By now there was complete confusion in the forest. ... Everybody was very excited about the mystery."

Have you read Harvey Slumfenbuger's Christmas?  Do you remember the wonderful ending with the words "I wonder what it was?"  This ending is perfect because it allows your young reading companion, or in my case the whole class in the library, to use their imagination. The open ended question allows the story to continue. It also, I would ague, makes rereading this book fun every time. What could that be? has this same delightful open ending. 

This is also one of those very special books you could share with a range of ages. It is of course magical to imagine this object might be a dragon's egg but what about the implied threat as the army of soldiers march out from the palace? There are also things to discuss here about curiosity, suspicion and fear along with all the possibilities that are afforded by this mysterious object. 

Now onto the book design used here.  WOW WOW!  I love the way the cover stretches out to reveal a larger image and even better there is a surprise under the dust jacket:

Image Source: Reza Dalvand Something Black

Here are the scrumptious end papers:

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned Reza Dalvand from Iran.  This week, thanks to my friend from Kinderbookswitheverything, I have now seen his fabulous book - What could that be? (2020). This book was originally published in German with the title Etwas Schwarzes which translates as Something Black. The book was also translated from Farsi by Nazli Hodaie.  

About the author: Reza Dalvand (*1989) was born in the Iranian city of Andimeshk. As a child he had but one idea in his head – to draw. After studying graphic design at Isfahan University of Art he completed a master's degree in illustration at the University of Tehran. He has illustrated many books for children in Iran and abroad. His works have been recognised at international exhibitions and competitions. Something Black was originally published by Baboab Books and has since been translated into English, French, Turkish and Korean. Besides his position as Art Director of an Iranian Publishing House Reza works as a freelance illustrator in Tehran.

Here is the cover of the French edition of this book.

Here is the cover of the German edition:

Boabab Books say they publish books, promote intercultural reading skills and initiate international projects. "In today's multifaceted society, characterised by constant change and migration, Baobab Books stands for respect for people with different backgrounds or beliefs, as well as for solidarity and equal opportunities in global society."

Mrs Bibi's Elephant by Reza Dalvand

Mrs Bibi loves her elephant. They walk together, play with the children, eat tea and cake, and Mrs Bibi tells her elephant gentle bedtime stories. 

BUT the people (adults) of the town don't like this elephant. All they can see is trouble. 

"They said instead of talking to an elephant, Mrs Bibi should read the newspaper, check the stock market and keep up to date with economics!"

There is a protest and Mrs Bibi is ordered to take her elephant to the zoo. Mrs Bibi is desperately sad and so the next day she decides to leave her town.

Can you guess the outcome? 

"After Mrs Bibi and her elephant left, the town wasn't the same. ... everyone felt as if something was missing."

Sorry - now you will have to read this book to discover how this tricky situation is resolved. 

Here is the blurb from Flying Eye Books: "A heart-warming story with a message as big as an elephant, this fanciful tale of friendship between an eccentric lady and her beloved pet is as poignant as it is beautiful.  When the townspeople tell Mrs Bibi her pet elephant is too big for the town, she reluctantly packs her bags and heads off somewhere they can live together in happiness. But what they both leave behind is far bigger than the other people could have imagined. Delicate artwork complements messages of acceptance, tolerance and love in this moving children’s story."

You can see art from this book here. And take a look at these glorious end papers which to my eye celebrate difference, happiness, nurturing, filling life with colour and filling your life with things that bring you joy.

... an older reader will be able to pick up both the sophisticated style of the illustration and all the lovely detail and reflect on the book’s more profound message. Book Trust

No matter how often children open this book, they’ll always discover something new. Kirkus

The illustrations are stunning. From the embossed cover to the end papers, there is so much to enjoy. For example, on the title page, Mrs Bibi is sitting under the title- look closely at her hairstyle. You can see the elephant, curled up! Each picture is packed with details- so many opportunities for storytelling offer themselves. North Sommerset Teachers Book Award

I have so many favourite things that delight me as I read through hundreds of children's books but one thing I really do enjoy is the discovery of a book which can be used across ages. Take a look at all of the themes I listed for this book. Two journalists were recently discussing the writing of children's books on a radio program. I was utterly horrified and even 'angry' when I heard one of these 'experts' declare anyone could easily write a children's book. She said 'How hard could it be?'  This is utter nonsense. I wanted to scream at the radio and grab a big pile of splendid books - picture books, junior novels and middle grade novels, and thrust them into the hands of this presenter. 

Reza Dalvand is from Iran.  Here are some of his other books: