Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Rashin Kheiriyeh!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Rashin Kheiriyeh (rashinart.com) is an award-winning illustrator, author, animator, and painter who has published over ninety children’s books in more than a dozen countries. In 2023, she was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and she has received fifty national and international awards, including the Sendak Fellowship Award, the Bologna Book Fair New Horizon Award, the Golden Apple Award (Slovakia), and the FAJR Film Festival Crystal Roc Award (Iran). She has a Doctorate in illustration and an MFA in graphic design. She’s the artist for Sugarland (Shekarestan), the most popular animated TV series in Iran, and a lecturer in the University of Maryland art department. She was born in Iran, and now lives in Washington DC.
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About the Book: THE SEASONS OF PARASTOO
When Parastoo’s mother must go away for the winter, the cycles of nature give Parastoo hope that her mother, like the birds, will return in the spring.
Parastoo loves the colors that make up her world, and especially loves the blue swallows in the tree outside her window. She’s sad when they fly south for the winter—and this year is hard because her mom has to go away for a while, too. Fortunately, her grandparents take great care of her, and she continues to find joy in the wonders of each season. But she longs for spring, when her mother will return just like the swallows.
Celebrating the cycles of nature, this warm family story offers a reassuring message about how seasons of nature—and life—come and go, each with their own special beauty
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
My inspiration for this book came from my childhood memories of my grandfather loved Swallows birds. Every spring he made nests for them around his house in Iran. A gesture that resonated deeply and became the heart of this narrative.
While my mother serves as a nurse during wartime in the south, I lived with my grandparents in the north for a while. we shared joy found in simple moments, like hanging birdhouses on trees.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character is Parastoo, witch means “swallow bird” in Iran. she loves the colors of seasons, she specially loves the blue swallows in the tree outside her window.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
The scene where Parastoo lays on the mom’s lap in the garden is the one I’m most proud of. It reflects a personal memory I have with my own mother and captures a moment of warmth and connection.
YABC: What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?
As a visual storyteller, the image came first. I envisioned a little girl flying on the back of a swallow bird in the sky. the concept of flying freely and the symbolism of swallows as immigrants inspired the story, guiding the development of the characters and landscape.
YABC: If you could only write one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
If I could only write one genre for the rest of my life, it would be fiction in children’s literature. I am deeply inspired by the opportunity to convey meaningful stories and values through imaginative narratives and illustrations.Also writing for children allows me to share cultural experiences and life lessons.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
I always think about what I would have loved to see in a book when I was little. I follow simplicity and sense of humor in my books.
Engaging with children and observing their responses also helps me ensure that my writing and illustrating meets their interests and needs.
YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?
My favorite snacks are cheese puffs, ice cream or chocolate, depending on what I have at home.
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
Yes, I would definitely be friends with Parastoo. She has a lovely personality and shares a passion for art and handcrafts, which would make her a great companion.
YABC: What’s your least favorite word or expression and why?
My least favorite word is war. I hope for a world where peace prevails and children can grow up safe and secure. I had that experience in my childhood, and it has stayed with me for over 40 years.
YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?
When I procrastinate, first I clean my studio, focusing on staying organized. I watch films and animations for inspiration. I believe that maintaining a tidy workspace and seeking new creative influences are key to achieving success.
YABC: What fandom would you write for if you had time?
If I had the time, I would write for the fandom of classic literature and Persian folklore.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’m excited to be writing and illustrating a new picture book with my wonderful editor, Nancy Paulsen. It’s an inspiring project that I’m looking forward to bringing to life with penguin kids.
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
My favorite holiday is Nowruz. It marks the Persian New Year and arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal and growth. I used to celebrate it with my family in Iran, and now I celebrate it in DC. It’s wonderful that people join in celebration during the cherry blossoms festival, adding to the joy of the occasion.
Title: THE SEASONS OF PARASTOO
Author: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Release Date: August 6th, 2024
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
ISBN-10: 0593108914
ISBN-13: 9780593108918
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 3-7
~ Giveaway Details ~
Three (3) winners will receive a copy of THE SEASONS OF PARASTOO (Rashin Kheiriyeh) ~US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
