For an (almost) mid-week break, I have another beautiful picture book from NorthSouth that I heartily recommend for kids of all ages and for those who love illustration. This time it’s Two Parrots, a fun American debut from Iranian illustrator and animation director Rashin. Her new book Two Parrots is inspired by a tale from Rumi. Rumi, or Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī (Persian: جلالالدین محمد بلخى) was a 13th century poet, theologian, and Sufi mystic (basically a really amazing guy). Rashin, or Rashin Keiriyeh, born in Iran and already prolific children’s book illustrator with over forty-five books under her belt is well known overseas. This however, is her first release in America!
Featuring beautiful illustrations that pull from traditional Persian art but are presented with a fresh, friendly folk-art spin, the colors green and red dominating the piece, Two Parrots is overall a neat little book. Rashin’s art fits the simple but whimsical story about a merchant and his pet parrot, who is unhappy about living in a cage.
Rashin’s body of work is already massive; she’s also worked in animation and is just an immense talent. America has just gotten the first taste of her with some editorial work, this and her follow-up; her own version of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly coming this fall. I hope this first translated debut and There Was An… means a lot more of her books released in countries like South Korea, Spain and France will be coming over to the States in the near future. Publisher NorthSouth always excels in releasing fun, engaging books with a global mindset. If you have kids or enjoy illustration, their artful, whimsical titles are always always worth checking out. I’m always excited to explore their catalog and look forward to reviewing more titles from them for you in the future! Again, hopefully that entails even more Rashin.
See you all real soon!
Max Eber
max@sub-cultured.com
Twitter: @maxlikescomics
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I live…again!
After a longstanding battle with technical issues (one’s not quite solved, knock on wood) I’ve finally returned with another, this time just singular, but nevertheless amazing book to review from my perpetual favorite publisher, North South . This time it is for the illustrated adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Six Swans this time with freelance illustrator Gerda Raidt.
It is a beautiful tale, with a reading level from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, and deserves to be more well known amongst the Grimm’s broader repertoire. The premise resembles a lot of other tales; a king is father to six sons and one daughter all of whom he loves very much. He remarries and the jealous and spiteful stepmother, the daughter of a witch, enchants the six princes with a spell that turns them into swans. They fly off into the woods; now only able to turn human for a brief fifteen minutes each night. The princess finds them and vows to save her brothers from the spell, but to do so she is told she must sew six shirts from starflowers and not utter a word, or a laugh, anything for six long years. And so the princess begins her self imposed muteness and begins sewing them the starflower shirts. We then follow the girl as she’s found by a young king of another country in the midst of her hermitage.
North South always works with amazing illustrators on their books, Gerda’s work on this book is no exception. Sketchy and gently cartoonish, Gerda contributes a fresh and accessible look, very in vogue with current illustration trends that I particularly love. The characters are charming and jaunty with a mixed late 18th, 19th century and Edwardian era fashion and hair influences, and environments have a wonderfully pastoral aesthetic. Overall a treat for the eyes and easy for children to understand what’s going on. Even the endpapers are wonderfully designed and drawn on with starflower petals blowing in the wind.
A beautiful book to purchase as a gift for spring birthdays, finishing school or graduation gifts, or even for their Easter basket. For those who enjoy illustration and fairy tales at any age, it is a must read!
See you real soon!
Max Eber
Staff Writer/The Doctor
max@sub-cultured.com
Twitter: @maxlikescomics
Hallow-Reads | The Line by Rob Ferreri
Hallow-Reads | Grim Vol 1: Teen Spirit by Nicholas Meece
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Review | Put Me In The Story – Star Wars: The Force Inside
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Hello all!
I’ve thawed from my frozen tomb! Like our new digs? I’m looking forward to writing some great features and interviews for everyone.
Today, however I have a small but nevertheless charming collection of books from NorthSouth Books, one of my favorite publishers, that I’ve been itching to share.
Hallow-Reads | The Line by Rob Ferreri
Hallow-Reads | Grim Vol 1: Teen Spirit by Nicholas Meece
Book Review | ‘Leech Girl Lives’
Review | Put Me In The Story – Star Wars: The Force Inside
REEDPOP Opens New Chapter For BookCon With Star-Studded Chicago Event!
