‘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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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!

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⚠️

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.

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

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

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.