Taraneh Matloob is an associate professor of children’s literature specializing in creative writing and multicultural children’s literature, at the University of Northern Iowa. Taraneh has published five picture books in Persian. Dear New Friend is her first book written and published in English. Her stories appeal to fans of social, cultural, and emotional representation in picture books. She also serves on the Outstanding International Books (OIB) committee of the US Board on Books for Young Children. Taraneh was born in Tehran, Iran, but now makes her home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Alida Massari is an Italian artist specializing in illustration for children including picture books and other children’s publishing. Alida was born in Rome, where she studied art at the European Institute of Design. She finds inspiration for her work from the architectural details of historic buildings, folk traditions, and ancient art. She describes her work as “modern but with ancient influences.” She has illustrated many books, collaborating with Italian, English, German, and American publishers. Her books have been published in numerous countries. She lives and works in Rome, Italy. Follow her on Instagram @alidamassari.

An NEA Read Across America 2025-2026 selection

Taraneh Matloob is an associate professor of children’s literature specializing in creative writing and multicultural children’s literature, at the University of Northern Iowa. Taraneh has published five picture books in Persian. Dear New Friend is her first book written and published in English. Her stories appeal to fans of social, cultural, and emotional representation in picture books. She also serves on the Outstanding International Books (OIB) committee of the US Board on Books for Young Children. Taraneh was born in Tehran, Iran, but now makes her home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Alida Massari is an Italian artist specializing in illustration for children including picture books and other children’s publishing. Alida was born in Rome, where she studied art at the European Institute of Design. She finds inspiration for her work from the architectural details of historic buildings, folk traditions, and ancient art. She describes her work as “modern but with ancient influences.” She has illustrated many books, collaborating with Italian, English, German, and American publishers. Her books have been published in numerous countries. She lives and works in Rome, Italy. Follow her on Instagram @alidamassari.

An NEA Read Across America 2025-2026 selection

Taraneh Matloob is an associate professor of children’s literature specializing in creative writing and multicultural children’s literature, at the University of Northern Iowa. Taraneh has published five picture books in Persian. Dear New Friend is her first book written and published in English. Her stories appeal to fans of social, cultural, and emotional representation in picture books. She also serves on the Outstanding International Books (OIB) committee of the US Board on Books for Young Children. Taraneh was born in Tehran, Iran, but now makes her home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Alida Massari is an Italian artist specializing in illustration for children including picture books and other children’s publishing. Alida was born in Rome, where she studied art at the European Institute of Design. She finds inspiration for her work from the architectural details of historic buildings, folk traditions, and ancient art. She describes her work as “modern but with ancient influences.” She has illustrated many books, collaborating with Italian, English, German, and American publishers. Her books have been published in numerous countries. She lives and works in Rome, Italy. Follow her on Instagram @alidamassari.

An NEA Read Across America 2025-2026 selection