Shahrzad Maydani – illustratör

Perfect for fans of The Day You Begin and Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrator Shahrzad Maydani’s Sister Friend is a heartwarming new picture book celebrating the unique joy of cultivating friendships within your cultural community.A Junior Library Guild SelectionA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year***STARRED REVIEW*** "A powerful exploration of what it means to be welcomed, seen, and accepted." ―Kirkus Reviews***STARRED REVIEW*** "Speaks to experiences of loneliness and marginalization as well as of kinship and joy." ―Publishers Weekly Ameena feels invisible. It’s been that way since she started at her new school. But now there is another new girl in class. Ameena sees her brownness and her hijab, even though the other kids do not. Ameena wants to be her friend, but she can’t seem to find the right words or do the right things. Until one day, they find them together: “Assalamu Alaikum, Sister. Welcome.”

From award-winning illustrator Shahrzad Maydani and debut author Razan Abdin, this affirming, social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious little girl who sees the world differently—while offering a fresh, intersectional approach to neurodivergenceSawsan is a storyteller and a dreamer, a mover and a shaker. Her imagination sends her soaring into space or diving deep into the ocean with the jellyfish!With all her energy and excitement, words EXPLODE out of her mouth during story time. Sitting still at school feels IMPOSSIBLE! And sometimes, when her feelings swell up and BURST! like waves, it feels like she’s not in control of her brain or her body—even though she’s trying her best.“Let’s create a strategy, you and me,” says Dr. Salim . . . After all, she knows Sawsan isn’t “rude” or “bad”—she just needs a little help navigating her big, bursty emotions.A story of affirming others and learning to love yourself, this social-emotional learning picture book follows a vivacious, neurodivergent child who sees the world a little differently—and maybe that’s a pretty splendid thing.

This much-needed picture book about navigating the difficult experience of pregnancy loss meets young readers at their level to offer a tender look at grieving someone who never entered the world.Raya can’t wait for her baby sister to arrive. She’s already got a name—Nura—and Raya is certain they’ll be best friends. She’s got all kinds of plans for things they’ll do together like run through the sprinklers, play dress-up, and give piggyback rides. But one day, Mama returns from the doctor with tears in her eyes. Nura won’t be coming home after all. Raya feels confused and sad, like all the love she has for Nura is trapped inside her. With the help of family, friends, and her school counselor, though, Raya finds a way to grieve this loss and to share the love she’ll always feel for her sister.

A delightful rhyming picture book that’s just right for anyone facing the challenges that come with change. Bit by bit, and branch by branch, this “family tree” grows to make room for more and more (and more!) love.Families grow and change, but what if you like things just the way they are? What if you aren’t ready to welcome in a new parent, a messy pet, or a baby sister who cries a lot and is leaking goo?! Change can be scary, but even a full heart has room to grow.Both hilarious and heartwarming, this endearing children’s book is a powerful tool for helping little ones understand that there are often silver linings to the changes life brings. Even when things are initially uncomfortable, an open heart paves the way and teaches us that a family can be full of love at any size.Perfect for: Families experiencing change, whether introducing a new step-parent, a pet, or a new baby Gift-giving to big brother, big sister, or newly blended family Anyone who loves a funny and heartwarming read-aloud  Fans of classic books about families, like Todd Parr's The Family Book