Levine Querido | 978-1646140985

Earlier this month, the wonderful Tucson Festival of Books returned after a two year hiatus. It’s one of my favorite book events because I get to spend the entire weekend hearing wonderful authors share about their process, books, and upcoming projects. Even better, I’m sometimes introduced to authors and illustrators whose work I’d somehow missed.

One look at author/illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh‘s vibrant art and uplifting text and you’ll know why I decided to include her newest book, THE SHAPE OF HOME on ReaderKidZ.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Rashin Kheiriyeh

It’s Rashin’s first day of school in America. She’s nervous, yes, but also a little excited. At the table, she notices the shapes of breakfast – a smiley-face pancake, a bear honey bottle, even happy eggs!  On the walk to school, Rashin sees a bakery which reminds her of  the fresh bread – shaped like her braided hair –  in Mr. Hassan’s shop back home in Iran. Everywhere she looks, there are shapes – on the walk to school, in the classroom, which is “bright and happy,” even “the letters have funny shapes…”

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Rashin Kheiriyeh

Once the kids settle in, the teacher invites them to introduce themselves and share the shape of their country. Benin, looks a little like a flashlight. Japan reminds Akiko of a seahorse! And Rashin says that Iran looks like a Persian cat.

I loved this very tangible way of introducing children and their homes and places of origin to others in the classroom. I was born in Lousiana, which reminds me of boot. What about you? What’s the shape of your country or state? An bunny? A whale? A heart?

THE SHAPE OF HOME is a colorful and imaginative look at the first day of school as a place of joy and acceptance where you’ll sure to find a classroom shaped like home.

Check out this interview with Rashin to learn more about THE SHAPE OF HOME and her writing/illustrating process.