Member Reviews

Rumi’’s poetry is timeless. This book has poems of joy and love. I liked the illustrations that did justice to the poetry. The illustrations had a middle eastern influence as expected. It is a good book to introduce Rumi’’s poetry to kids.

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This beautiful picture book introduces younger readers to the life of Rumi a great poet and mystic.

The book takes us on a journey of Rumi who was inspired by nature from a very young age, he learnt from many wise men around him during his life.

There are some wonderful quotes from Rumi in the book highlighting some of his thought provoking poems.

The strong Persian artwork is displayed on every page.
I would recommend this to older readers due to the content but younger readers would appreciate it being read to them.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

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You can never go wrong with Rumi, and I love this collection. He has such a deep well to pull from, and this is a well curated collection that is uplifting and thought-provoking.

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The illustrations are just so full of life. The colors really pop off the paper and will most definitely inspire young children. I loved that the text was blue instead of black, and the cover really catches the eye with its vibrant colors on a white background. (And I always love a gold finish.)

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This is a gorgeously illustrated, vibrantly colored picture book about Rumi’s origins. It was obviously done with love. I would have liked some of the poetry but maybe there was rights issues if something.

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This was a beautiful book to learn about Rumi’s life. The illustrations and colour palette was so bold and enchanting, drawing the reader into Rumi’s world.

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Thank you to NetGalley and North South Books for an advanced copy of this book. This one was just okay for me. The illustrations are beautiful but the writing style isn't as engaging as I'd hoped.

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Children's books are the perfect way to learn about new cultures. I am unfortunately ignorant about Persian culture, but this book helped guide me. To start, the illustrations are beautiful. I find Rumi's story fascinating. The galley e-ARC formatting was a bit off, but I assume this will change with publication.

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This is a beautiful book however, I found that there were some spreads with a lot of words and the text at times seemed above the reading level for a picture book. I've seen the book in person and it's gorgeous! This would make a great addition to a gift store or gift section.

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‘Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love’ by Rashin Kheiriyeh is a picture book for young readers about the famous 13th-century Persian poet Rumi.

We follow the story of Rumi from birth to being a curious child to his transformation to a renowned poet inspired by love. He was told by his father that he would meet the sun someday and that journey led him. He gathered students and a best friend named Shams. When he lost Shams, it inspired Rumi to say that love is in us and everywhere.

Told with shining prose and beautiful illustrations, I enjoyed this book as will young readers curious about history and other cultures.

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Beautiful artwork accompanying the simple life story of the great poet Rumi. Really easy to share and understand (as it is a children's book) but there's also a page in the back with a little history on the poet himself, and the author/artist's connection with him.

Thank you to NorthSouth Books Inc./NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review!

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It was a lovely introduction to one of the greatest poets of all time - Rumi. Texts are really simple & easy, very good for children to read and understand a biography. I must mention about illustrations. they are soooo gorgeous and vibrant and very much Turkish which I love. 😍 gave extra 1 star ⭐ for that.
Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#RumiPoetofJoyandLove #NetGalley #norhsouthbooks

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I was first attracted to this book due to the stunning artwork which looked like it was about to dance off the cover.

This is a beautifully illustrated book which chronicles the life of Rumi in a way that is accessible and relatable for children and adults alike. The interplay between the text and the illustrations highlights the themes of love, friendship, learning from others, and storytelling.

This is a wonderful way to introduce these concepts, and the beauty of Rumi’s work to young children, planting seeds for later exploration, learning, and reflection which will grow with them.

Thank you to NorthSouth Books Inc., and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

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This is a beautiful picture book and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy. I didn't know much about Rumi before and this gives a such a sweet and simple story of his life that both children and adults can enjoy. And the artwork is truly just stunning, there is so much to appreciate on each page.

Thank you to the publisher for the early review copy!

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Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love is an absolutely lovely picture book biography of medieval Persian poet Rumi. The story focuses on his childhood and the major events in his adult life that led to him becoming such an acclaimed writer. The art is vibrant and engaging and the story is definitely worth reading. Recommended!

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Book Review: Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love by Rashin Kheiriyeh

Rating 5 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of diving into the enchanting world of Rumi through the beautifully crafted pages of "Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love" by Rashin Kheiriyeh. This stunning picture book biography introduces young readers, aged 4-8 years, to the life and teachings of the renowned Persian poet, Rumi.

The story follows the journey of a young Rumi, who was captivated by the wonders of nature and literature. As he grows older, his encounters and experiences shape his path towards becoming a scholar. However, it was the profound loss of his dear friend, Shams, that ignited Rumi's exploration of love and spirituality, leading to the creation of his timeless poetry that continues to resonate with readers worldwide.

Rashin Kheiriyeh's illustrations are nothing short of captivating, with vibrant colors and intricate details that transport us to the Persian Empire of the 13th century. The fusion of art and storytelling in this book is truly a work of art in itself.

What sets this book apart is its ability to present complex themes in a way that is accessible and engaging for young minds. Through Rumi's story, children are not only introduced to a legendary poet but also encouraged to embrace the values of friendship, love, and compassion.

As a reader, I found myself deeply moved by the poignant narrative and the visual feast that unfolded with each turn of the page. The inclusion of backmatter on Rumi and an author's note adds depth to the reading experience, making it an educational journey as well.

In conclusion, "Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love" is a masterpiece that celebrates the life and legacy of an extraordinary poet in a way that is both heartfelt and enlightening. This book is a must-have for children and adults alike who appreciate art, poetry, and the enduring power of love.

I wholeheartedly give this book a five-star rating for its exceptional storytelling, breathtaking illustrations, and its ability to inspire readers of all ages to seek joy and love in every aspect of life.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

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Rumi is a relatively new figure to me. While I was familiar with the name and could perhaps have told you he was a poet, I didn't know much beyond that so this was an excellent introduction. While the text is aimed at a young audience, it remains informative. With charming illustrations reflecting the text, filled with patterns and details, its as lovely to look at as it is to read. It stands well on it's own but could also be used as a lead-in to reading some of the poetry in a group setting.

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A very cute story of Rumi the poet's childhood and how he found his own version of the sun. The tale is sweet and short with great visuals for readers of all ages. The notes from the author are incredible as well and I love the last quote "Should you with to be in heaven forever? Be a friend to everyone" - Rumi

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Thank you to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of RUMI– POET OF JOY AND LOVE. All views are mine.

"Friendship is the bridge between you and everything"... p37

This simple biography of Rumi the renowned Persian poet is designed to entertain kids 4 to 8 and teach them about the renowned 13th-century Persian poet known as Rumi. The artwork splashes across the pages of this book-- colorful dancing birds, flowers, and people acting out the story of Rumi's life. The story is a little slow, especially considering it's audience. And I wished there had been a Rumi poem! But this is an absolutely beautiful children's biography, an educational and entertaining book of the type I think might spur on kids to further research or reading. That's always the goal!

Rumi began to write— for days and nights. Word after word. He merged letters like drops of rain merge in the ocean. ...His book was inspired by his friendship with Shams and everyday tales. Everyone loved his book— especially children . Soon his book was translated into many languages. And Rumi became one of the greatest writers of all time. p47

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. I love that this whole story begins with a leaf falling! It's so subtle and poetic. The image repeats in the story, also, and is well-placed, I think.

2. The art accompanying the story is magnificent!

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. The story telling is a little passive for a children's book: his favorite thing was to read books and He was excited to meet. This probably happened because the author was trying to condense and simplify a complicated story for a young audience. But children respond to active, forward-progressing narratives because they're still learning how to process stories. I also would have loved to see one of Rumi's poems included in the book!

2. I found some errors in the main text of this book, and the back matter is nearly unreadable.

Rating: 💐💐💐.5 / 5 colorful poets
Recommend? Yes
Finished: Mar 8 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle
Read this book if you like:
🧒🏽 kids books
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories
⏳️ kids' history stories
👳‍♂️ biographies for kids
🖼 beautiful illustrations

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