Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/12/2024 K-Gr 4—Rumi was a widely celebrated Islamic scholar, Sufi mystic, and 13th-century Persian poet whose work is still popular today. Kheiriyeh transforms a distant and revered figure into a warm, bright focal point in this biography of a young child who becomes a man whose words and ideas still inspire awe. The illustrations are vibrant and lush, with striking colors, blue cloth-like textures, and gold detail adorning individuals, while hoopoe birds of rainbow plumage dive among flowers of the most colorful hues. It's here that Rumi is born to loving parents, and where he dances and learns. Joy spills from each page and, while little ones may not understand such beautiful lines as learning "generosity from the sun," it provides opportunities for engagement and discussion with adults. Rumi becomes a scholar with a large following, but he is unhappy until a new friend enters his life. Kheiriyeh demonstrates how this friendship, and its loss, spurs Rumi to write his incredible stories and poems, as well as focus on universal love within God. While religion is mentioned, the focus is Rumi's writings and the message of accepting others. Back matter includes an author's note, extended biographical information, and a reference source.VERDICT A first purchase for all libraries; there are too few beautiful portraits of beloved Persians.—Rachel Zuffa - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/17/2024 To commemorate the 750th anniversary of the great Sufi mystic’s death (not his birth, as stated in the afterword), Iranian illustrator Kheiriyeh lavishes the pages of this picture-book profile with luminous images of flowers, delicately drawn wildlife, and gracefully posed human figures in either elaborate period dress or the tall hats and long, plain skirts of the whirling Sama ceremony he is credited with establishing. In her simply written narrative, she follows Rumi as he dances his way from nature-loving child with “so many questions” through the loss of his beloved friend and spiritual teacher Shams to the dream in which his mother inspired him to find peace in writing and telling stories by handing him a feather pen. Unlike author Demi in the similarly sumptuous Rumi: Whirling Dervish (2009), Kheiriyeh only glancingly alludes to Rumi's words and major works rather than quoting full verses, but she does supply some recommended translations for readers nonetheless tempted to immerse themselves in some of the world’s most enduring poetry and storytelling. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.