Praise for Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story
* “Faidhi’s illustrations add dynamic color and textural and cultural richness to the narrative; the images feel timeless and convey a sense of holiday nostalgia. . . . A beautiful celebration of Nowruz with familial warmth that embraces child agency, problem-solving, and creativity. A recommended purchase for every library.”—School Library Journal, starred review
“Khorram, an award-winning author of young adult novels, creates a fun-loving protagonist and an easygoing family unit readers will warm to. Faidhi’s background in animation shines in these cartoon-style illustrations full of action and movement.”—Kirkus
★ 03/01/2021
PreS-Gr 3—When a mishap wrecks the sofreh haft-seen, seven symbolic items whose names start with the 15th letter in the Persian alphabet, Kian must find items to replace them in time for his grandparents' Nowruz visit. Kian and his family are preparing to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year marking the start of spring. Maman explains the symbolism behind the seven (haft) items starting with the Farsi letter "seen" on the sofreh (table-setting) haft-seen. Items like sumac for sunshine, seer (garlic) for health, and serkeh (vinegar) for patience represent what the family hopes will bring them happiness in the new year. But trying to add Sonny, the family cat, to the haft-seen leads to its ruin. Faidhi's illustrations add dynamic color and textural and cultural richness to the narrative; the images feel timeless and convey a feeling of holiday nostalgia. Khorram's end note mentions other items of renewal frequently placed on a haft-seen that are depicted on the end papers. Though Kian's khanumjan (a respectful term for grandmother) wears a headscarf, not uncommon among older Persian women, there are no specific indicators that the family is Muslim (and in fact, Nowruz has Zoroastrian origins), so Persian readers of varying backgrounds religious or otherwise will be able to see themselves in the narrative. VERDICT A beautiful celebration of Nowruz with familial warmth that embraces child agency, problem-solving, and creativity. A recommended purchase for every library.—Ariana Sani Hussain, The Blake Sch., Wayzata, MN
2020-11-27
When his cat overturns the carefully set haft-seen table, Kian sets out to re-create one that represents his family.
It’s the first day of spring and the Persian holiday of Nowruz. Kian helps Maman and Baba cook and clean all day, and Baba goes to the airport to pick up the grandparents who will join them for the holiday. The traditional haft-seen table has been set with the seven special items beginning with S, each representing good things to come in the new year. Kian wonders why there are only seven symbols on the haft-seen table. If he can find more items for the table, will that make them even happier in the new year? He tries putting Sonny the cat on the table, but Sonny knocks everything over, ruining it all. Now Kian has to find seven new S’s for the haft-seen table. What special items will he choose? This charming picture book introduces the traditional symbols and practices of Nowruz but focuses on the heart of the holiday’s meaning in terms children can easily understand. Khorram, an award-winning author of young adult novels, creates a fun-loving protagonist and an easygoing family unit readers will warm to. Faidhi’s background in animation shines in these cartoon-style illustrations full of action and movement. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 61% of actual size.)
Welcome this new, modern celebration of an underrepresented holiday. (Picture book. 3-7)
Author Adib Khorram gives a gentle and friendly narration of his picture book celebrating Nowruz, the Persian new year. Young Kian wonders whether he can add anything else to his family’s haft-seen, the table set with seven special items starting with the letter “S” that will bring happiness in the new year. But when he tries to add their cat Sonny to the haft-seen, predictable mayhem occurs, and Kian has to come up with some creative replacements that start with "S." Listeners will appreciate hearing Khorram pronounce Farsi words, and sound effects help to fill in the scenes for listeners who aren’t seeing the book’s illustrations. An author’s note at the end explains more about Nowruz traditions. This is a sweet and inclusive family listen. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Author Adib Khorram gives a gentle and friendly narration of his picture book celebrating Nowruz, the Persian new year. Young Kian wonders whether he can add anything else to his family’s haft-seen, the table set with seven special items starting with the letter “S” that will bring happiness in the new year. But when he tries to add their cat Sonny to the haft-seen, predictable mayhem occurs, and Kian has to come up with some creative replacements that start with "S." Listeners will appreciate hearing Khorram pronounce Farsi words, and sound effects help to fill in the scenes for listeners who aren’t seeing the book’s illustrations. An author’s note at the end explains more about Nowruz traditions. This is a sweet and inclusive family listen. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
