Praise
Delicate details and joyful colors vivify this Persian folktale. From a castle made of snow atop the highest mountain, Naneh Sarma spreads winter across the land; her icy isolation grows lonely. From beyond the edge of winter, she hears Amu Nowruz, the herald of spring, singing; she sets out to meet him at the boundary. She falls asleep before he arrives, however, and he plants violets in her sleeping hands; the two forever meet only “at the dusk of winter and the dawn of spring."
— Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Reviews, starred
I was in love with Nooshin Safakhoo’s drawings from the first time I saw them. Every line she draws is hers and no one else’s.
— Marit Törnqvist
Repeated poetic refrains and imaginative illustrations combine to create a compelling tale from the rich storytelling tradition of Iran.
Author Hadi Mohammadi has penned a lovely version of an ancient folk tale … The story is a delight. But Nooshin Safakhoo’s quirky, ethereal illustrations were what really made this picture book for me.
— Ivonne Rovira, Wilder Elementary School, Louisville, KY
This will be such a wonderful book to add to our collection of 'winter into spring' books. The illustrations are so lovely and the way Safakhoo used the background color of each page as the color of the deer is genius.
— Beth Pierson, White Lake Community Library, MI
When you pick up this book, you are holding something precious in your hands—a velvety, folkloric tale of seven horses and the young disabled girl who dreams of them from her bedroom. Of the seven sweet, beautiful horses, one is without a color, a home, a dream. But the other six horses share with the seventh, and everything is lovely, and the little girl is happy. Nooshin Safakhoo's breathtaking illustrations left me sighing in awe and contentment. A dream of a book!
— Mary Wahlmeier Bracciano, The Raven Book Store (praise for In the Meadow of Fantasies)
In this translated retelling of a Persian folk tale, the spirits of winter and spring briefly meet. Naneh Sarma lives in the land of Winter. With “hair as white as snow” and a “gown woven of wintersweet flowers,” she “[spreads] winter everywhere” as she swings over the snowy clouds. Safakhoo relies on a minimal palette for these barren landscapes, Naneh Sarma’s red socks and scarf standing out against the stark white backgrounds. But winter ends, and Naneh Sarma is alone. The pages explode in vibrant greens and reds as readers meet Amu Nowruz, who lives in the lush land of Spring. Amu Nowruz plants all day long, “while serenading the sun to shine bright.” Lonely Naneh Sarma hears him and wishes he would visit her. Waiting for him “at the edge of winter and spring,” she eventually falls asleep. When Amu Nowruz finds her, he puts violets into her hands and sneaks away. She wakes and shouts to him, only to hear him reply, “Tend to the violets…The New Year is coming!” These events happen each year, readers are told, “at the dusk of winter and the dawn of spring.”
Detailing the origins of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, this is a lovely, vividly illustrated tale. Though the elegant figurative language may be too lofty for younger children, older ones will appreciate it, especially if knowledgeable adults can offer context about Nowruz. Artistic and wistful, this is a sophisticated ode to the changing seasons.
Detailing the origins of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, this is a lovely, vividly illustrated tale. Though the elegant figurative language may be too lofty for younger children, older ones will appreciate it, especially if knowledgeable adults can offer context about Nowruz. Artistic and wistful, this is a sophisticated ode to the changing seasons.
— Kirkus Reviews
Amu Nowruz and His Violets by Hadi Mohammadi is a beautifully woven tapestry of Persian folklore, brought to life with the enchanting illustrations of Nooshin Safakhoo. This heartwarming story, translated by Sara Khalili, invites readers of all ages to experience the magic and cultural richness of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Nooshin Safakhoo’s chosen hues in the book range from purples, blues, reds, and whites in winter to greens, oranges, and pinks in spring. The depictions of Nowruz, Sarma, and the flora are done in a unique style, with beautiful illustrations . . . This picture book will enthrall readers who want to discover new translations, especially folktales from other countries. Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes.
Safakhoo’s distinctive artwork is made up of precise inked lines, intricate flowers and leaves, and contrasting colors which highlight the opposing seasons perfectly. Translated from Persian, the text is gentle, flowing, and poetic . . . This special folktale blooms to life upon the pages, and contains a sweet story of loneliness, friendship, and love.
— Michele Shaw, School Library Journal
Extras
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