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Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love
“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 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.
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 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.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2024
About the author
Rashin Kheiriyeh
38 books23 followersRashin Kheiriyeh was born in Khorramshahr, Iran. She received a PhD in illustration and an MFA in graphic design from Alzahra University in Tehran. She has published over eighty books in countries around the world and created illustrations for The New York Times. Rashin was named a 2017 Maurice Sendak Fellow and was the winner of the New Horizon Award at the Bologna Book Fair. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and lives in Washington, DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 3, 2024
4 "beautiful, meaningful,spiritual" stars !!
A ribbon of Excellence read for 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, the author/illustrator and NorthSouth Books. I am providing an honest review. This childrens' book will be released March 2024.
This is an absolutely beautiful pictorial biography of Islamic mystic poet Rumi for chldren ages 4 to 10. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and had me enjoying them over and over. The prose is clear and interesting and will enlighten children of all faiths as well as those raised in secular households. A little treasure.
Close your eyes, fall in love, stay there -Rumi
A ribbon of Excellence read for 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, the author/illustrator and NorthSouth Books. I am providing an honest review. This childrens' book will be released March 2024.
This is an absolutely beautiful pictorial biography of Islamic mystic poet Rumi for chldren ages 4 to 10. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and had me enjoying them over and over. The prose is clear and interesting and will enlighten children of all faiths as well as those raised in secular households. A little treasure.
Close your eyes, fall in love, stay there -Rumi
February 9, 2024
In a Nutshell: A narrative nonfiction picture book highlighting the life of Sufi poet Rumi. Simple in style, good in content, stunning in illustrations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207-1273) was an Islamic scholar, poet and Sufi mystic. Many readers today might know him for his soulful verses, full of love for the divine. Some misconstrue his declarations to be seeped in romantic love, but his thoughts actually speak of finding God in love. If you read his quotes, you will not be surprised at why this poet is so popular even 750 years after his death.
This picture book presents, in simple prose, the life of Rumi from childhood until his later years. It shows how Rumi was inspired by nature right from young age. In the prime of his life, he also learnt from other wise men around him, including Shams of Tabriz. (I had first encountered Rumi and Shams in Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love, so it was nice to see both of them together, albeit briefly, in this illustrated version.)
My favourite part of the text was the concept of the simurgh - such a beautiful one! I thought it might be a bit too difficult for children to grasp, but a parting note simplifies the idea. I also enjoyed the focus on Sama, the “listening” dance that is still practised today by whirling dervishes.
There is an author’s note and a brief biographical sketch of Rumi in the backmatter.
While I liked the content, it could have been more cohesively structured. Though I already knew about Rumi, I still found a few elements in the text befuddling. The passage of time doesn’t come out clearly in the book. We see Rumi going from a young man to an aged man within a few pages, with no indication of how many years he spent with Shams, or at what age he decided to teach, and so on. The text made the whole Shams scene seem like it was a matter of a few months, but Rumi ages much in those pages.
I also wish there had been more quotes or poems by Rumi. While there are a couple of lines in the main content, and a couple more in the final note, they aren’t enough to make a mark. Rumi was known for his thought-provoking lines, so not seeing much of his wisdom on these pages feels like something vital is missing.
The text and illustrations both are by Rashin Kheiriyeh. This makes it clear why the two are perfectly in sync on every page. The cover art itself brings such joy to the heart, and the inside illustrations are equally gorgeous. There is a strong Persian flavour to the artwork, and the vividness of the hues makes every single page stunning.
All in all, this is a decent beginner book about one of the best Islamic poets. It might be a good option for having a culturally inclusive discussion in classrooms. The book is officially aimed at readers aged 4 to 8, but I am doubtful about its appeal to a major chunk of this age group, except for the illustrations.
Nevertheless, I hope this book sparks at least some curiosity in little minds about this Sufi scholar and gets them to explore more of his thoughts and works.
3.5 stars, rounding up mainly for the illustrations.
My thanks to North South Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Rumi – Poet of Joy and Love”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Some of my favourite Rumi quotes, which I wish had been included in the book:
🌹 "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."
🌹 "Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."
🌹 "Don’t make yourself miserable with what is to come or not to come."
🌹 "If you only say one prayer in a day, make it ‘Thank You’."
🌹 “The world is a mountain, in which your words are echoed back to you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207-1273) was an Islamic scholar, poet and Sufi mystic. Many readers today might know him for his soulful verses, full of love for the divine. Some misconstrue his declarations to be seeped in romantic love, but his thoughts actually speak of finding God in love. If you read his quotes, you will not be surprised at why this poet is so popular even 750 years after his death.
This picture book presents, in simple prose, the life of Rumi from childhood until his later years. It shows how Rumi was inspired by nature right from young age. In the prime of his life, he also learnt from other wise men around him, including Shams of Tabriz. (I had first encountered Rumi and Shams in Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love, so it was nice to see both of them together, albeit briefly, in this illustrated version.)
My favourite part of the text was the concept of the simurgh - such a beautiful one! I thought it might be a bit too difficult for children to grasp, but a parting note simplifies the idea. I also enjoyed the focus on Sama, the “listening” dance that is still practised today by whirling dervishes.
There is an author’s note and a brief biographical sketch of Rumi in the backmatter.
While I liked the content, it could have been more cohesively structured. Though I already knew about Rumi, I still found a few elements in the text befuddling. The passage of time doesn’t come out clearly in the book. We see Rumi going from a young man to an aged man within a few pages, with no indication of how many years he spent with Shams, or at what age he decided to teach, and so on. The text made the whole Shams scene seem like it was a matter of a few months, but Rumi ages much in those pages.
I also wish there had been more quotes or poems by Rumi. While there are a couple of lines in the main content, and a couple more in the final note, they aren’t enough to make a mark. Rumi was known for his thought-provoking lines, so not seeing much of his wisdom on these pages feels like something vital is missing.
The text and illustrations both are by Rashin Kheiriyeh. This makes it clear why the two are perfectly in sync on every page. The cover art itself brings such joy to the heart, and the inside illustrations are equally gorgeous. There is a strong Persian flavour to the artwork, and the vividness of the hues makes every single page stunning.
All in all, this is a decent beginner book about one of the best Islamic poets. It might be a good option for having a culturally inclusive discussion in classrooms. The book is officially aimed at readers aged 4 to 8, but I am doubtful about its appeal to a major chunk of this age group, except for the illustrations.
Nevertheless, I hope this book sparks at least some curiosity in little minds about this Sufi scholar and gets them to explore more of his thoughts and works.
3.5 stars, rounding up mainly for the illustrations.
My thanks to North South Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Rumi – Poet of Joy and Love”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Some of my favourite Rumi quotes, which I wish had been included in the book:
🌹 "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."
🌹 "Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."
🌹 "Don’t make yourself miserable with what is to come or not to come."
🌹 "If you only say one prayer in a day, make it ‘Thank You’."
🌹 “The world is a mountain, in which your words are echoed back to you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 17, 2024
“On September 30, 1207 a child was born on a crisp and colorful autumn day in Iran.
They called him 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶.”
I have always meant to dive into the spectacular and magnificent world that is 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆. Specially 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶’s!
Unfortunately and so very regrettably, I haven’t been able to fulfill that promise to myself yet, but this absolutely adorable little biography of well-known Persian poet 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶, with the most beautiful illustrations I’ve ever seen by the brilliant Iranian artist 𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘆𝗲𝗵 has made me so eager to finally start reading and hopefully learning more on love, life and friendship from him.
If you have little ones, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book, as the illustration are absolutely gorgeous lively and perfect for children and the short story also is such a joyous and hopeful one; pointing out topics of friendship, kindness and generosity which I’m sure will be very entertaining as well as educative for them.
And hopefully so; it will intrigue parents as well to get to know more about this amazing poet and enjoy his work!
As 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶 himself says:
“To me nothing in the world is as precious as a genuine smile, specially from a child.”
•Thanks to 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 for providing me with a digital copy of this precious book in exchange for an honest review•
They called him 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶.”
I have always meant to dive into the spectacular and magnificent world that is 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆. Specially 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶’s!
Unfortunately and so very regrettably, I haven’t been able to fulfill that promise to myself yet, but this absolutely adorable little biography of well-known Persian poet 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶, with the most beautiful illustrations I’ve ever seen by the brilliant Iranian artist 𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘆𝗲𝗵 has made me so eager to finally start reading and hopefully learning more on love, life and friendship from him.
If you have little ones, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book, as the illustration are absolutely gorgeous lively and perfect for children and the short story also is such a joyous and hopeful one; pointing out topics of friendship, kindness and generosity which I’m sure will be very entertaining as well as educative for them.
And hopefully so; it will intrigue parents as well to get to know more about this amazing poet and enjoy his work!
As 𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗶 himself says:
“To me nothing in the world is as precious as a genuine smile, specially from a child.”
•Thanks to 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 for providing me with a digital copy of this precious book in exchange for an honest review•
January 24, 2024
So, first of all, the illustrations in this book are beautiful. Seriously fantastic. Magical. Colorful. Simply amazeballs. They're bright and colorful and really well done.
I also appreciate what the author is trying to do here – I'd guess that very few young children know anything about 13th century poets (or poetry in general, really) so it's nice to have a book that exposes them to something new. Kheiriyeh's love for Rumi really shines through in the text and illustrations, and I think it's fantastic that he wants to expose a new generation to his favorite poet.
But …
I guess I'm just not sure how much this book is really going to appeal to the target audience (4-8 years old, according to Amazon)? There's no rhyming or entertaining situations or humor or really anything that's going to appeal to young children. I mean, the pictures are really pretty, but they show Rumi wandering around talking to people and writing things, and that's about it. I really think it's going to take more to get kids interested in long-dead Iranian poets, unfortunately.
Perhaps it'd be useful for elementary students who are just starting to study non-fiction literature at school? Or maybe it could be read as part of a cultural lesson? I can definitely see the educational value of this book, but I just can't imagine it being a favorite that children want to read over and over again.
Overall rating: three stars. It's a lovely book but I fear that it will have limited appeal to its intended readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
I also appreciate what the author is trying to do here – I'd guess that very few young children know anything about 13th century poets (or poetry in general, really) so it's nice to have a book that exposes them to something new. Kheiriyeh's love for Rumi really shines through in the text and illustrations, and I think it's fantastic that he wants to expose a new generation to his favorite poet.
But …
I guess I'm just not sure how much this book is really going to appeal to the target audience (4-8 years old, according to Amazon)? There's no rhyming or entertaining situations or humor or really anything that's going to appeal to young children. I mean, the pictures are really pretty, but they show Rumi wandering around talking to people and writing things, and that's about it. I really think it's going to take more to get kids interested in long-dead Iranian poets, unfortunately.
Perhaps it'd be useful for elementary students who are just starting to study non-fiction literature at school? Or maybe it could be read as part of a cultural lesson? I can definitely see the educational value of this book, but I just can't imagine it being a favorite that children want to read over and over again.
Overall rating: three stars. It's a lovely book but I fear that it will have limited appeal to its intended readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
March 5, 2024
✨ happy release day to Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love by Rashin Kheiriyeh ✨
"Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love" is a children’s book about the famous Iranian poet Rumi. The story itself is beautiful and easy to follow, especially for the target audience, without any complexity. It takes readers through Rumi’s childhood and his journey to find his voice. The illustrations perfectly match the story, using many elements and colors to bring it to life and make it engaging for children.
The author, Rhashin Kheiriyeh, has also added a brief history of Rumi at the very end of the book, a thoughtful addition for those unfamiliar with him.
“We are what we seek! I am the simurgh” Rumi thought.
I received this digital copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love" is a children’s book about the famous Iranian poet Rumi. The story itself is beautiful and easy to follow, especially for the target audience, without any complexity. It takes readers through Rumi’s childhood and his journey to find his voice. The illustrations perfectly match the story, using many elements and colors to bring it to life and make it engaging for children.
The author, Rhashin Kheiriyeh, has also added a brief history of Rumi at the very end of the book, a thoughtful addition for those unfamiliar with him.
“We are what we seek! I am the simurgh” Rumi thought.
I received this digital copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2023
This spellbinding picture book biography for children (4-8 years) introduces them to one of the greatest poets and mystics. Rumi found inspiration in love and spread this message through his writing that love is in us and everywhere.
Born on September 30, 1207 in Iran, Rumi enjoyed nature from childhood, especially birds. As he grew older, his favorite thing became reading. He moved to Turkey with his family, where he became a well-known scholar like his father and grand-father. Despite his success, something felt missing in his life. He found the missing part in writing about friendship. His poetic masterpiece, “The Masnavi,” was loved by many, especially children. Rumi found God in love, embracing us all.
This book is a masterful celebration of the great scholar, 750 years in 2023. It is filled with beautiful, colorful, and eye-catching illustrations with strong colors and ornamental details of the Persian Empire. And above all, it carries a wonderful message of love and friendship.
It is written with clear voice and appreciation for the great poet and mystic who found a fulfilling path for himself and encouraged others through his writing.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Born on September 30, 1207 in Iran, Rumi enjoyed nature from childhood, especially birds. As he grew older, his favorite thing became reading. He moved to Turkey with his family, where he became a well-known scholar like his father and grand-father. Despite his success, something felt missing in his life. He found the missing part in writing about friendship. His poetic masterpiece, “The Masnavi,” was loved by many, especially children. Rumi found God in love, embracing us all.
This book is a masterful celebration of the great scholar, 750 years in 2023. It is filled with beautiful, colorful, and eye-catching illustrations with strong colors and ornamental details of the Persian Empire. And above all, it carries a wonderful message of love and friendship.
It is written with clear voice and appreciation for the great poet and mystic who found a fulfilling path for himself and encouraged others through his writing.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2023
This was an excellent autobiography of Rumi for children to learn and be captivated by.
Rumi was an Islamic poet born in 1207 and known for his wonderful and unique poems. We homeschool our children so this was an excellent addition to our supplemental learning. The illustrations are rich and vibrant which easily capture my children’s attention and hold it while I read. There are sooooo many beautiful things to look at in each illustration. The story is longer for a children’s book but contains excellent information in an easy to understand way. I was disappointed that more of his work wasn’t quoted in the book however, I think the addition of some of his beautiful quotes should have been added for us all to enjoy.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rumi was an Islamic poet born in 1207 and known for his wonderful and unique poems. We homeschool our children so this was an excellent addition to our supplemental learning. The illustrations are rich and vibrant which easily capture my children’s attention and hold it while I read. There are sooooo many beautiful things to look at in each illustration. The story is longer for a children’s book but contains excellent information in an easy to understand way. I was disappointed that more of his work wasn’t quoted in the book however, I think the addition of some of his beautiful quotes should have been added for us all to enjoy.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2024
Children's books are the perfect way to learn about new cultures. I am unfortunately ignorant about Persian culture, but this book helped guide me. To start, the illustrations are beautiful. I find Rumi's story fascinating. The galley e-ARC formatting was a bit off, but I assume this will change with publication.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books
October 28, 2023
I loved the beautiful illustrations in the book. The story, not so much. I expected more poetry or philosophical phrases that could be instilled in the young ones, but there wasn’t much.
Although I appreciated the history of Rumi as outlined in the book, I don’t think children would value it as much. And I got the sense that some things got lost in translation since the writing was a little haphazard.
Overall, I found Rumi to be a likable read. Five stars for the illustrations. Two stars for the story, for a three star average.
I received a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Although I appreciated the history of Rumi as outlined in the book, I don’t think children would value it as much. And I got the sense that some things got lost in translation since the writing was a little haphazard.
Overall, I found Rumi to be a likable read. Five stars for the illustrations. Two stars for the story, for a three star average.
I received a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 17, 2023
For people who like: children's picture books with an original theme
Reading around the world: Balkh Province, Persia (originally part of Iran in the 13th century, but now part of Afghanistan)
First sentence: "It began with a leaf / yellow and orange / falling from the tree"
In five words: colourful - biography - poet - Persia - culture
Positive points: The illustrations are very colourful and will certainly appeal to children. In fact, that was the first thing that caught my eye when I opened this book. Thus, it really is an ode to the Persian art style and gives the right vibes to discover this story. In my opinion they're worth 4*.
What also enchanted me was the original theme of this children's book: we learn more about Rumi (° 1207 - † 1273), apparently the best known Persian poet. Although I've got to admit that I hadn't heard of him before. As 2023 is his 750th birthday, author/illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh (who grew up in Iran with Rumi's books and now lives in Washington DC) was inspirated to create this book.
Last but not least, there are things mentioned (be it cultural or mythological) which drew my attention as I didn't know them, f.e.: the mythological bird Simurgh and the ceremony Sama.
Negative points: Although the theme is original, the execution could've been better. While the reader only gets to learn some biographical facts, there's no single example of Rumi's poetry in this book which really seems like a missed chance. Consequently, it also results in a story that's not as captivating as it could be for children. And to most adults the facts are probably not specific enough. That's why the text gets 3*.
Rating: 3,5* rounded up to 4*, because I learned new things and this book also made me curious to discover the works of Rumi (who was unknown to me)
Publication date: 5 March 2024
*Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Reading around the world: Balkh Province, Persia (originally part of Iran in the 13th century, but now part of Afghanistan)
First sentence: "It began with a leaf / yellow and orange / falling from the tree"
In five words: colourful - biography - poet - Persia - culture
Positive points: The illustrations are very colourful and will certainly appeal to children. In fact, that was the first thing that caught my eye when I opened this book. Thus, it really is an ode to the Persian art style and gives the right vibes to discover this story. In my opinion they're worth 4*.
What also enchanted me was the original theme of this children's book: we learn more about Rumi (° 1207 - † 1273), apparently the best known Persian poet. Although I've got to admit that I hadn't heard of him before. As 2023 is his 750th birthday, author/illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh (who grew up in Iran with Rumi's books and now lives in Washington DC) was inspirated to create this book.
Last but not least, there are things mentioned (be it cultural or mythological) which drew my attention as I didn't know them, f.e.: the mythological bird Simurgh and the ceremony Sama.
Negative points: Although the theme is original, the execution could've been better. While the reader only gets to learn some biographical facts, there's no single example of Rumi's poetry in this book which really seems like a missed chance. Consequently, it also results in a story that's not as captivating as it could be for children. And to most adults the facts are probably not specific enough. That's why the text gets 3*.
Rating: 3,5* rounded up to 4*, because I learned new things and this book also made me curious to discover the works of Rumi (who was unknown to me)
Publication date: 5 March 2024
*Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
It was a lovely book with beautiful pictures. I enjoyed the vivid colours and themes inspired by Persia. The pictures deserve 5 stars. The story was warm and engaging, maybe a little too simplistic even for children. There were flowers, music, poetry, birds, but also jealousy, betrayal and loss. All in all, it was a nice introduction for children to the world of Rumi the poet.
I received “Rumi" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.
I received “Rumi" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.
March 8, 2024
Review to come.
January 14, 2024
This was cute. The font is a bit plain and boring. Needs a bit of work to make it more appealing to the eye. The illustrations were beautiful.
October 22, 2023
Rumi is a famous Persian poet of the 13th century. And this book celebrates him by telling his life story in a picture book. The illustrations are outstanding and colorful. I’ve never heard of him and loved learning about his life and his work. The writing is easy to understand and follows his life where he was born in Iran in 1207 and later moves to Turkey becoming a well known scholar, poet and mystic. This can be an easy addition to my biographies for children shelf. Thank you to NorthSouth Books for sending me the ARC via NetGalley.
January 2, 2024
A glorious picture book bio of beloved poet Rumi, with spectacular illustrations and text that will enthrall readers young and old. Highly recommended!
October 30, 2023
Beautiful illustrations! Rumi is one of the greatest poets. One of my favorites for sure.
His message of finding the universe within - the connection to the divine through music and dance , this story is of his childhood and illustrates some of his inspiration, what lead him to his writings
If you haven't read Rumi, pick up a book. I guarantee you will love his works. They are of love and peace . While he was a Sufi , his writings were meant and do transcend all religions.
We are all connected through love !
I love love love that this was written by a female Persian author!
The art is phenomenal and the cat and the hoppee so cute !
His message of finding the universe within - the connection to the divine through music and dance , this story is of his childhood and illustrates some of his inspiration, what lead him to his writings
If you haven't read Rumi, pick up a book. I guarantee you will love his works. They are of love and peace . While he was a Sufi , his writings were meant and do transcend all religions.
We are all connected through love !
I love love love that this was written by a female Persian author!
The art is phenomenal and the cat and the hoppee so cute !
December 20, 2023
“WE ARE WHAT WE SEEK!
I AM THE SĪMURGH!” Rumi thought.
This was so beautiful and amazing. I love Rumi but to read about Rumi's journey to being an immortal in the form of the poems was astounding. I loved it. And the illustrations are just so pretty.
Every great person was a child once and so was Rumi. His love for books and birds was unending. After loss of his dearest friend ,Shams, Rumi realised his important life lesson - love is everywhere and is in us in all forms.
Thank you Netgalley and NorthSouth books Inc for this amazing ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This book I devoured just after downloading which mostly never happens. I reviewed it but I will be reading it again coz I loved it very much. So on to my next read of the book.
I AM THE SĪMURGH!” Rumi thought.
This was so beautiful and amazing. I love Rumi but to read about Rumi's journey to being an immortal in the form of the poems was astounding. I loved it. And the illustrations are just so pretty.
Every great person was a child once and so was Rumi. His love for books and birds was unending. After loss of his dearest friend ,Shams, Rumi realised his important life lesson - love is everywhere and is in us in all forms.
Thank you Netgalley and NorthSouth books Inc for this amazing ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This book I devoured just after downloading which mostly never happens. I reviewed it but I will be reading it again coz I loved it very much. So on to my next read of the book.
October 28, 2023
I received a free copy of, Rumi-Poet of Joy, by Rashin Kheiriyeh, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The colors in the book are so vibrant. Rumi was born in Iran, and had a great childhood, he made many friends, but Shams was his best friend, who taught him a lot. This is a tribute to Rumi on his 750th anniversary of his death. A beautiful remembrance.
November 2, 2023
The problem between me and this book is that i want this longer cause it is too short to be this good
January 1, 2024
My kids and I LOVED the illustrations in this book and learned so much about Rumi-beautiful book!
March 4, 2024
WHAT a gorgeous book! I knew little about Rumi [except the poems I have heard] and this was a lovely introduction to one of the greatest poets of all time. Spanning from when he was a child until his first book, this is a lovely story of all that happened to make Rumi, Rumi. Gorgeously illustrated [Oh I would have loved to jump right into those illustrations], filled with color and many things for littles to search for and find, they added so much to the story and really made it come alive.
This is a great introduction of the poet to kids as well as a glimpse into Persian culture [the author was born in Iran]; there is a author's note at the end that explains more and will start conversations between the adults and the littles that will last for years.
I can see little and adults loving this book and visiting it again and again.
Very well done!!
I was invited to read/review this book by the publisher [NorthSouth Books INC], and I'd like to thank them, Rashin Kheiriyeh and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great introduction of the poet to kids as well as a glimpse into Persian culture [the author was born in Iran]; there is a author's note at the end that explains more and will start conversations between the adults and the littles that will last for years.
I can see little and adults loving this book and visiting it again and again.
Very well done!!
I was invited to read/review this book by the publisher [NorthSouth Books INC], and I'd like to thank them, Rashin Kheiriyeh and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2023
A really good biography! It doesn't feel "heavy" and is perfect for children to read. The illustration is beautiful too.
April 19, 2024
It was a lovely introduction to one of the greatest poets of all time - Rumi. Texts are really simple & easy, very good for children to read and understand a biography. I must mention about illustrations. they are soooo gorgeous and vibrant and very much Turkish which I love. 😍 gave extra 1 star ⭐ for that.
Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#RumiPoetofJoyandLove #NetGalley #norhsouthbooks
Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#RumiPoetofJoyandLove #NetGalley #norhsouthbooks
March 12, 2024
This is a beautifully illustrated story of the poet, Rumi. It will make a wonderful addition to any library, especially primary schools. This simple story explores the origins of creativity and wonder. Also, the illustrations were an absolute delight - colourful and detailed enough that I found myself going back over them.
December 28, 2023
I rate this 4.5 stars - but very close to, if not 5! I was so excited to be able to read this with my daughter as an ARC copy. I myself love Rumí and find such inspiration from him. This does a wonderful job at telling the tale of his life for the audience of children to learn more about him. My only wish was that there’d be more quotes from Rumí, but I believe given this is a children’s book, foremost a biography, and the captivating whimsical illustrations - that many more may take away from the other aspects and crowd it a bit. I think this is perfect for young readers. , and my daughter loved the illustrations and dancing.
October 30, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., for the opportunity given to me by Gelsey White -- Marketing Coordinator, to read and review Rumi -- Poet of Joy and Love.
"Written by award-winning Iranian-American artist Rashin Kheiriyeh,this narrative nonfiction picture book has been published to honor [Rumi] his life and the 750th anniversary of his death."
This is a nice introduction for children into the nonfiction side of books. The story spells out some of Rumi's teachings. His words of wisdom and value placed on him by his students are expressed. In addition, there are beautiful illustrations. They are bright and colorful. I found them to be peaceful.
The Author's Note is a wealth of information with facts and definitions not given in the story.
I found the overall reading out loud cumbersome. However, the overall experience was gratifying. I would gift this to a child, gift as housewarming, and/or as a family hostess gift.
"Written by award-winning Iranian-American artist Rashin Kheiriyeh,this narrative nonfiction picture book has been published to honor [Rumi] his life and the 750th anniversary of his death."
This is a nice introduction for children into the nonfiction side of books. The story spells out some of Rumi's teachings. His words of wisdom and value placed on him by his students are expressed. In addition, there are beautiful illustrations. They are bright and colorful. I found them to be peaceful.
The Author's Note is a wealth of information with facts and definitions not given in the story.
I found the overall reading out loud cumbersome. However, the overall experience was gratifying. I would gift this to a child, gift as housewarming, and/or as a family hostess gift.
December 30, 2023
Delightful artwork with beautiful prose sharing the life story of a great poet. Even if there were no words in this picture book, there would be a gorgeous story unfolding in the saturated, happy hues alone. But, the words tell the tale of a young Rumi, who grows into one of the worlds greatest poets and teachers. Known for his love of nature and joy in daily life, we see Rumi as a young person reveling in the simple beauty of birds and nature, and growing into a successful teacher who finds friendship and a deepening faith. Young readers will feel a desire to slow down and observe the world around them in exploring this book, and may ask to read the poems of Rumi who loves birds and beauty and friends. The depiction of Persian myths of birds is another lovely element. And, while at times the language can feel a little overly….educational is perhaps the best word…the world created and the magic of language and power of family and life well outweighs any slow reading moments. The metaphors blending nature with friendship and happiness are special, and the sense of deep faith and depiction of joy and happiness in Sufi tradition bridges the beauty of the illustrations and the feelings of love and friendship. The authors note and history of Rumi at the end were a nice touch. I find the only thing I found wanting here was a few poems from Rumi set to the gorgeous illustrations we see throughout his life in the book; but I guess I’ll have to use my imagination to create the color as I pick up a book of Rumi’s poems. And, I feel, this is the goal of this beautiful book: to have us want to read Rumi’s words. Lovely.
September 3, 2024
The story is about the ups and downs of Rumi. We know how a leader is made, as we've seen this before. Of course, their story is unique to them. This part is nice, but didn't WOW me, though I enjoyed it as I knew little about Rumi. The fun thing for the adult reader in me was I could compare Rumi to other leaders (from religious to secular) and the kid reader liked learning about a new person. It was the illustrations that blew me away. Busy, crowded, colorful, detailed images that flew off the pages. They assaulted the eyes, and they are AMAZING! They tell the setting (the era and the country) and become a poetic symbol of the work. In many ways this is not for kids but for adults (especially fans of the poet). You can tell the author is a fan of the work and captures the feelings they have in text and art.
October 28, 2023
Rumi - Poet of Joy and Love by Rashin Kheiriyeh is a beautifully illustrated account of the life of the Persian poet in honour of the 750th anniversary of his death. I was excited to learn more about the life of the 13th century mystic, and found this to be an enlightening read as I have always been fascinated by the timeless quality of the poet's work. The illustrations are simply stunning and serve to transport us to a very different time and place. While I am not sure that the text will hold the interest of young children, the colourfully detailed pictures will certainly engage the imagination.
Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for an ARC.
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Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for an ARC.
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October 28, 2023
An amazing homage to Persian Rumi-Poet. A story of an aspiring poet child who respects life, love, understanding, knowledge, and friendship. He inspired many with his work enriching children's view of life. The Iranian-American illustrator/author did a fantastic job of celebrating the richness of this poet with vibrant colors and impressive artwork. Each page is a painting on its own. The story of the thirty birds is amazing and I love books that teach us words and their etymology.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
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