Amu Nowruz and his violets

Gr 2--5--Nowruz, Persian New Year, has been celebrated for 3,000 years, and marks the first day of spring. In Persian folklore, Amu Nowruz (Uncle New Year) heralds in spring, while Naneh Sarma (Mother Forest) represents winter. With her wintersweet gown and snow white hair, Naneh Sarma lives in a snow castle atop the highest mountain, and is happy spreading snow, frost, and ice throughout the land. With no one to share her love of winter, she decides to seek out Amu Nowruz in the land of spring. He, in turn, is busy planting the seeds and flowers of spring, and while she waits tirelessly for him, she falls asleep. Upon finding her sleeping, he plants violets into her outstretched hands. The contrasting illustrations between the seasons is stunning. The chilly winter scenes resonate with bare trees, huge snow-capped mountains, and Naneh Sarma herself sporting a snow-capped cloud on her head. Amu Nowruz, living in the land of spring where color abounds, flowers bloom, and birds sing, has a giant hat upon his head bursting with flowers. 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. VERDICT This special folktale blooms to life upon the pages, and contains a sweet story of loneliness, friendship, and love.--Michele Shaw

In this translated retelling of a Persian folktale, 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, with 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.(Picture book. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.