AMU NOWRUZ AND HIS VIOLETS

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.