Bijan Always Wins

Adib Khorram lives in Kansas City, Missouri. When he isn't writing, you can probably find him trying to get his hundred-yard freestyle under a minute, learning to do a Lutz jump, or steeping a cup of oolong. His debut novel, Darius the Great Is Not Okay, earned several awards, including the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. He is also the author of Darius the Great Deserves Better, Kiss and Tell, and the picture book Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story.Michelle Tran is an illustrator and designer based in Dallas, Texas. She spent her childhood summers having water balloon fights, playing with bugs, and biking around her neighborhood until the sun set. She is a graduate of UT Austin, and after many years working in online advertising, she now spends her days illustrating and dreaming up magical worlds. In her free time, Michelle loves taking walks with her two kids, crafting, baking chocolate chip cookies, and watering her desert roses. She dreams of mushroom foraging in Copenhagen one day.

2025 CBC Favorites Award Top Ten Title“This dynamic socio-emotional story by Khorram examines responses to interpersonal challenges, as well as ways to both draw boundaries and welcome back someone who’s trying to make changes.” – PW “Khorram’s simple, expressive text uses fantastical elements to elevate a familiar story of social-emotional growth to a thoughtful parable that will leave readers mulling what it means to be a true friend….An inspired tale that puts a clever spin on a well-trod message of friendship and generosity of spirit.” – Kirkus “In this delightful picture book, a young boy discovers that winning is not always the most important thing...children will find themselves learning from Bijan and enjoying his story at the same time.” – School Library Journal“A social-emotional learning picture book to champion.” – Booklist