I would love to thank NetGalley, Rashin Kheiriyeh and NorthSouth Books for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Starting with this amazing cover, Rashin talks about Rumi as a child and how he came to be one of the best poets. I was a little surprised to see this is actually a nonfiction, as I have never heard of Rumi before. But I'm glad I did now so I can check out some of his works.

He was an Islamic poet born in 1207 and from childhood he was in love with books. He became a teacher and his students loved him. One day he meets the sun, Shams, and they become best friends.

Is it because of this that Rumi gets inspired to write, because his students are jealous of their friendship and they ask Shams to leave without noticing Rumi and he does so, only for Rumi to become depressed until his mother appears in one of his dreams and tells him to start writing.

The book ends in a positive and beautiful way and the illustrations are gorgeous and colorful!
I also loved these following quotes:

“Friendship is the bridge between you and everything,”

and

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. More than anything, Rumi loved telling stories to children. “To me nothing in the world is as precious as a genuine smile, especially from a child,” Rumi said.

I couldn't give it more than 3.75 stars due to its lenght, but it was very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to reading his work.

WHAT a gorgeous book! I knew little about Rumi [except the poems I have heard] and this was a lovely introduction to one of the greatest poets of all time. Spanning from when he was a child until his first book, this is a lovely story of all that happened to make Rumi, Rumi. Gorgeously illustrated [Oh I would have loved to jump right into those illustrations], filled with color and many things for littles to search for and find, they added so much to the story and really made it come alive.
This is a great introduction of the poet to kids as well as a glimpse into Persian culture [the author was born in Iran]; there is a author's note at the end that explains more and will start conversations between the adults and the littles that will last for years.
I can see little and adults loving this book and visiting it again and again.
Very well done!!

I was invited to read/review this book by the publisher [NorthSouth Books INC], and I'd like to thank them, Rashin Kheiriyeh and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful story about Rumi, the beloved poet, and his beginnings. The language is so descriptive and beautiful and it felt like a warm breeze or a flowing river. The pictures used to illustrate the story are so beautiful! I really enjoyed how much they enhanced the story. It was fun reading about Rumi's beginning and i will definitely be checking out more of his poems in the future.

A beautiful illustrated picture book about a famous 13th century poet, Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic. It is a book about the poet’s life that is easily understood by anyone who reads it. I think children will love the colorful illustrations and become curious about his life. It’s a way to view and understand people who lived in Persia. It is a book of joy.

A beautiful book about the life of Rumi with stunning illustrations. The story at times reads more middle grade (8+) than kids (4-8) . But the illustrations would definitely keep younger kids engaged

I went to visit Rumi’s mausoleum years ago ….
If you are planning on visiting with family,
I think this is a great book to introduce younger visitors to Rumi

On 30 Sptember 1207 Rumi was born

The story would be a better fit for an older reader. Mainy because the story has a distinctive plot. As per the author’s note, the story was Rashin’s favorite ‘Persian poet Rumi’. The author’s note was an important component of the story, it would be a shame if the note was skipped by the adult reader.
The story was filled with history and delightful illustrations, especially the birds.
Thank you Rashin Khheiyeh, NorthSouth Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and write a review.

Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

“Rumi – Poet of Joy and Love” by Rashin Kheiriyeh is a gorgeously illustrated biography of the famous Persian poet and mystic. Even though I didn’t know much about Rumi before this book, the vibrantly whimsical cover was enough to grab my attention, and the illustrations kept me hooked through the entire story.

While I found the story of Rumi’s life interesting, I was left wondering why none of his famous poems or writings were included in the book. Also, this picture book is targeted for children, but the story is a bit confusing for younger children to follow and understand without some assistance from an adult. The beautiful illustrations will surely hold their attention, but the story seems a bit lacking to keep children engaged.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to parents and educators to read with children.

This is a beautifully illustrated story of the poet, Rumi. It will make a wonderful addition to any library, especially primary schools. This simple story explores the origins of creativity and wonder. Also, the illustrations were an absolute delight - colourful and detailed enough that I found myself going back over them.

STUNNING! It warms my heart to have the beautiful story of Rumi out in the world.

I would buy this for my kids, if I had any. Never mind, I would buy this for myself!

The illustrations were the highlight of the book for my family. We absolutely adored them! Being that my child isn't a huge fan of poetry, I love that the text was minimal and allowed her to focus on Rumi's story and the illustrations while not getting bored or it feeling too long.

This would be a great addition to any poetry unit, in the home or school!

Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Rumi-Poet of Joy and Love" offers a vibrant tribute to the 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi, through lush illustrations and a narrative that delves into his life and teachings. Rashin Kheiriyeh, the author, brings forth Rumi's essence with heartfelt prose and enchanting artwork that transports readers to another time and place.

The illustrations are undeniably the highlight of this book - the only words that come to mind are "beautiful," "stunning," and "phenomenal." They vividly capture Rumi's world, filled with colorful imagery and intricate details, making it a visual delight for readers of all ages.

However, my opinion on the narrative's appeal to the target audience, primarily children aged 4-8, vary. While I appreciate the educational value and the opportunity to introduce young readers to Rumi's legacy, I do have doubts about its ability to engage children due to its lack of rhyming or entertaining elements.

I fully praise the book's efforts to honor Rumi's life and teachings. You can see the dedication to bringing Rumi closer to a younger audience and highlighting his universal message of love and peace.

In summary, "Rumi-Poet of Joy and Love" shines with its breathtaking illustrations and sincere homage to Rumi's life. While its suitability for young readers is a bit unsure, the book succeeds in celebrating the timeless wisdom of a revered poet.

Disclaimer: Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing advance copies of this book for review.

"Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love by Rashin Kheiriyeh intricately weaves a beautiful pictorial biography of the poet Rumi, and is the perfect book to read aloud to student. The illustrations are stunning and together with the words, makes this book a feast for the eyes and ears. I definitely will be adding this book to my classroom collection. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the Arc.

In a Nutshell: A narrative nonfiction picture book highlighting the life of Sufi poet Rumi. Simple in style, good in content, stunning in illustrations.

Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207-1273) was an Islamic scholar, poet and Sufi mystic. Many readers today might know him for his soulful verses, full of love for the divine. Some misconstrue his declarations to be seeped in romantic love, but his thoughts actually speak of finding God in love. If you read his quotes, you will not be surprised at why this poet is so popular even 750 years after his death.

This picture book presents, in simple prose, the life of Rumi from childhood until his later years. It shows how Rumi was inspired by nature right from young age. In the prime of his life, he also learnt from other wise men around him, including Shams of Tabriz. (I had first encountered Rumi and Shams in Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love, so it was nice to see both of them together, albeit briefly, in this illustrated version.)

My favourite part of the text was the concept of the simurgh - such a beautiful one! I thought it might be a bit too difficult for children to grasp, but a parting note simplifies the idea. I also enjoyed the focus on Sama, the “listening” dance that is still practised today by whirling dervishes.

There is an author’s note and a brief biographical sketch of Rumi in the backmatter.

While I liked the content, it could have been more cohesively structured. Though I already knew about Rumi, I still found a few elements in the text befuddling. The passage of time doesn’t come out clearly in the book. We see Rumi going from a young man to an aged man within a few pages, with no indication of how many years he spent with Shams, or at what age he decided to teach, and so on. The text made the whole Shams scene seem like it was a matter of a few months, but Rumi ages much in those pages.

I also wish there had been more quotes or poems by Rumi. While there are a couple of lines in the main content, and a couple more in the final note, they aren’t enough to make a mark. Rumi was known for his thought-provoking lines, so not seeing much of his wisdom on these pages feels like something vital is missing.

The text and illustrations both are by Rashin Kheiriyeh. This makes it clear why the two are perfectly in sync on every page. The cover art itself brings such joy to the heart, and the inside illustrations are equally gorgeous. There is a strong Persian flavour to the artwork, and the vividness of the hues makes every single page stunning.

All in all, this is a decent beginner book about one of the best Islamic poets. It might be a good option for having a culturally inclusive discussion in classrooms. The book is officially aimed at readers aged 4 to 8, but I am doubtful about its appeal to a major chunk of this age group, except for the illustrations.

Nevertheless, I hope this book sparks at least some curiosity in little minds about this Sufi scholar and gets them to explore more of his thoughts and works.

3.5 stars, rounding up mainly for the illustrations.

My thanks to North South Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Rumi – Poet of Joy and Love”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I just love these books...........Rumi–Poet of Joy and Love by Rashin Kheiriyeh was another beautiful book, it was a joy to read. it was an absolutely beautiful pictorial biography of Islamic mystic poet Rumi for children ages 4 to 10. With beautiful illustrations throughout that just took your breathe away! these are absolutely gorgeous......and gave me inspiration to create a wall for my classroom.
Rumi-Poet was an interesting book and will enrich the minds of children and others of all ages and faiths as well as those raised in secular households. A little book with a big personality. A treasure find.

This book was written by award-winning Iranian-American artist Rashin Kheiriyeh,this narrative nonfiction picture book has been published to honor his life and the 750th anniversary of his death.

The cover was beautiful just like all of this book.

Big Thank you to Netgalley, the author/illustrator and NorthSouth Books for my ARC.

The story of much beloved poet Rumi was told simply but memorably. After reading it, as an adult, I wanted to know more but it was a good introduction. For children, this book would be a lovely part of a poetry unit at school or a poetry month celebration at a library. The illustrations done by Rashin Kheiriyeh are vivid, colorful and gorgeous. They bring life to the text. While the text is minimal, the illustrations are filled with detail, making this a book that a child can enjoy again and again.

I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review

a beautifully drawn piece of work about one of the most famous poets of all time describing his basic history to young children. Rashin Kheiriyeh is an illustrator to watch and the book proves suitable in every way. a very good learning experience.

I was first introduced to Rumi in a Mysticism course in college, and "Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love" by Rashin Kheiriyeh is such a beautiful homage to Rumi, his life, and his poetry. The artwork is enchanting, and brings Rumi and his poetry to life beautifully - I got lost in the vibrant colors and expressive characters (and I'm definitely in the "adult" age range!) - this will definitely become a favorite for readers of all ages.

This book is a celebration of the human spirit, reminding us of the enduring power of friendship and the pursuit of joy. Whether you're a devoted Rumi enthusiast or a newcomer to his poetry, "Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love" will leave a lasting impression, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the beauty of Rumi's words and Kheiriyeh's visual storytelling. I can't speak for everyone, but I definitely reached for my worn book of Rumi poetry after I finished this book!

The illustrations in this book were very unique. Many of my students thought they were beautiful but others found them too bold and exaggerated. Rumi was a character that many of my students did not know. Those that did know of him were excited to read more about him. They liked that they learned that he was a prolific writer and read to children. I think that it could have included more information about what he wrote, perhaps even excerpts, because finishing this book left me with more questions than answers about who Rumi was and what he did. The details were very beautiful. Students really loved the cover. Overall, I don't think I will purchase this book for my first grade classroom. It might be better suited for a third or fourth grade classroom and paired with additional texts about Rumi and/or poets. Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book that i think a lot of ages will enjoy :) With its vibrant colours illustrations and how it is written, it is so enjoyable to read.

Hmm, great illustrations, pretty dry story. All I kept thinking while reading this is that getting Christian kids excited about Bible stories surely takes some effort, as evidenced by all the colorful and adventure-oriented books you constantly see coming out. You would expect that hyping a 13th century Persian spiritual poet would take some innovation as well.

But this is just a story, albeit a nice one, where honestly not much happens. I was kind of hoping for some adventure, and I think most kids would too.

The illustrations are colorful and very interesting to my adult eye, but would they appeal to a little kid? This is being marketed as a children's book, but I'd say no one under the age of, say, ten would find this very appealing.