Review by Booklist Review
It's Nowruz, the Persian celebration of spring, and Kian wakes up eager to help with the festivities. He and his parents clean the house and set up the traditional Haft-seen arrangement. Maman explains the significance of the seven items they place, all beginning with an "s" sound and chosen to symbolize happiness in the new year, but Kian thinks they would be happier if there were more than seven items, and their cat seems like the obvious choice. The result is chaos, and poor Kian has to reconstruct the Haft-seen with new items, now that the seven traditional ones have been spilled or broken. Like all such stories, Seven Special Somethings is about love and family and tradition, and includes linguistic, textual, and visual details that maintain its cultural distinctiveness. Funny and sweet--a welcome addition to books about celebrations and a must-read in all classrooms. For a broader look at holidays, pair with Benson Shum's Alex's Good Fortune (2020) and Thrity Umrigar and Nidhi Chanani's Binny's Diwali (2020).
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--When a mishap wrecks the sofreh haft-seen, seven symbolic items whose names start with the 15th letter in the Persian alphabet, Kian must find items to replace them in time for his grandparents' Nowruz visit. Kian and his family are preparing to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year marking the start of spring. Maman explains the symbolism behind the seven (haft) items starting with the Farsi letter "seen" on the sofreh (table-setting) haft-seen. Items like sumac for sunshine, seer (garlic) for health, and serkeh (vinegar) for patience represent what the family hopes will bring them happiness in the new year. But trying to add Sonny, the family cat, to the haft-seen leads to its ruin. Faidhi's illustrations add dynamic color and textural and cultural richness to the narrative; the images feel timeless and convey a feeling of holiday nostalgia. Khorram's end note mentions other items of renewal frequently placed on a haft-seen that are depicted on the end papers. Though Kian's khanumjan (a respectful term for grandmother) wears a headscarf, not uncommon among older Persian women, there are no specific indicators that the family is Muslim (and in fact, Nowruz has Zoroastrian origins), so Persian readers of varying backgrounds religious or otherwise will be able to see themselves in the narrative. VERDICT A beautiful celebration of Nowruz with familial warmth that embraces child agency, problem-solving, and creativity. A recommended purchase for every library.--Ariana Sani Hussain, The Blake Sch., Wayzata, MN
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When his cat overturns the carefully set haft-seen table, Kian sets out to re-create one that represents his family. It's the first day of spring and the Persian holiday of Nowruz. Kian helps Maman and Baba cook and clean all day, and Baba goes to the airport to pick up the grandparents who will join them for the holiday. The traditional haft-seen table has been set with the seven special items beginning with S, each representing good things to come in the new year. Kian wonders why there are only seven symbols on the haft-seen table. If he can find more items for the table, will that make them even happier in the new year? He tries putting Sonny the cat on the table, but Sonny knocks everything over, ruining it all. Now Kian has to find seven new S's for the haft-seen table. What special items will he choose? This charming picture book introduces the traditional symbols and practices of Nowruz but focuses on the heart of the holiday's meaning in terms children can easily understand. Khorram, an award-winning author of young adult novels, creates a fun-loving protagonist and an easygoing family unit readers will warm to. Faidhi's background in animation shines in these cartoon-style illustrations full of action and movement. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 61% of actual size.) Welcome this new, modern celebration of an underrepresented holiday. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
