Iran
(Persian)
242
Babahani,
Husrau
Mitl-i dastha-i
madaram : magmu’a-i dastan (Like my mother's hands)
Tihran : Našr-i Ufuq, 2001 (= 1380 h.š.) - 63 p.
ISBN 964-6742-40-8
Iran - Youth - Everyday life - Love - Drug abuse
This volume contains three realistic stories which discuss everyday
experiences, as well as dreams and wishes of teenagers in Iran. Unusual, at
least in the context of Iranian youth literature, is the open-mindedness evident
in the text and the willingness to deal with difficult topics. One tale, for
example, tackles the abuse of drugs, a theme which is an unpleasant and topical
problem in Iran, too. The protagonist of the title story, on the other hand, is
a pupil at the beginning of puberty who does not get along with his mother, nor
with the world in general. He falls in love with his teacher, of all people,
simply because she gives him the attention he needs but does not receive from
others. The stories are told in a realistic, sometimes almost sober language.
(12+)
243
Ha'if, Bahram (text/illus.)
Guftugu-i rangha (The
discussion of the colours)
Tihran : Kanun-i Parwariš-i Fikri-i Kudakan wa Naugawanan, 2000 (= 1379 h.š.)
- 24 p.
ISBN 964-432-750-0
Colour - Loneliness - Dialogue - Joy
In a simple and comprehensible style, the author tells a symbolic tale about
loneliness and how it can be overcome if people approach each other and
communicate. He praises the dialogue as a unifying force which helps to form
communities. This tale's protagonists are the basic colours. They all live
alone, isolated from each other, because each of them only speaks its own
language. Therefore, the world remains monochrome and monotonous. Only when they
start to communicate and mix with each other, does the world turn into a
cheerful vivacious place. The well-known Iranian artist has created suggestive
illustrations, painted in soft, glowing colours, that accompany the concise
text. (10+)
244
Ibrahimi,
Ga’far
Gadugaran-I sarzamin-I
bisaya (The wizards from the land without shadows)
Tihran : Kitabha-i Banafša, 1999 (= 1378 h.š.). - 167 p.; 188 p.
(Ruman-i naugawanan ; 18, [1] and [2])
ISBN 964-417-272-8 and 964-417-273-6
Boy - Magic - Apprentice
The worldwide success of Harry Potter and the resulting boom of fantasy
literature have also influenced the Iranian children's literature scene, as is
evident from this two-volume novel. Twelve-year-old Rana, who lives with his
grandmother, desperately wants to attend a magical school. Together with his
friends he starts an apprenticeship as a wizard. After finishing it, they set
off on a long journey around the magic world, on which they solve many problems
and encounter several adventures. This gripping and entertaining novel, which
also borrows some motifs from Lewis Carroll's »Alice's Adventures in Wonderland«,
successfully connects the realistic world and the fairytale-like world of
fantasy. (12+)
245
Pak,
‘Abd-as-Salih
Duhtar-i cubi : 12
afsana az Turkaman Sahra (The wooden girl : twelve Turkmen folktales)
Tihran : Kitabha-i Banafša, 2000 (= 1379 h.š.). - 120 p.(Afs~nah~ ; 5)
ISBN 964-417-351-1
Folktales - Turkmen
The Turkmen people are a powerful ethnic minority in Iran. This ancient
nomadic people, with its own culture and language, possesses a rich variety of
folktales, handed down orally. For this volume, the author has collected twelve
well-known folktales and retold them in Persian. They often focus on magic and
the transformation of animals into human beings. And so does the tale, »The
wooden girl«, which has lent its title to this collection: Against his father's
will, the son of a fisherman frees a golden fish. In return for this favour, the
fish promises to help him one day - in the form of a young man - when the boy is
in a difficult situation. (10+)
246
Rahmandust,
Mustafa (text)
Hudayi, ‘Ali (illus.)
Tawallud-i Nuhudi (Nuhudi is born)
Tihran : Šabawiz, 2001 (= 1380 h.š.). - [16] p.
ISBN 964-5555-32-9
Fairytale - Wish for a child
This popular Persian fairytale has some similarities with the Grimm
Brothers' »Der Däumling« (»Tom Thumb«). A childless couple has long been
wishing for a child but without success so far. One day, while cooking chick pea
soup, the woman once again utters her dearest wish: She pleads for a child and
be it as small as a chick pea - and all of a sudden her wish is granted. A small
boy, the size of a chick pea, shouts at her: »Here I am. I am your son!«
Humorous full-page colour illustrations, which make each of the fairy tale's
steps easily understandable to small children, accompany the text. (4+)
247
Shahabadi, Hamid Rida (text)
Iqbali, Parwiz (illus.)
Afsana-i tirandaz-i gawan (The legend of the young archer)
Tihran : Kanăn-i Parwariš-i Fikri-i Kădakan wa Naugawanan, 2000 (= 1379 h.š.).
- 40 p.
ISBN 964-432-626-1
Legend - Archer - Apprentice - Perfection - Ambition - Modesty
At an archer's contest, young Ra'd is so fascinated, that he immediately
starts an apprenticeship with a wise old master archer. After three years, he
perfectly masters the bow. Without any effort, he would be able to win an
important competition, but suddenly his ambition vanishes and the possible
triumph seems trivial to him. Therefore, he stops the contest and leaves the
victory to his opponent. Maturity and the ability to concentrate, qualities he
learned from his master, matter more to him than fame. With this interesting
literary legend about the assessment of human values, the author offers an
insight into the old oriental world. Traditional Iranian illustrations perfectly
complement the text. (10+)