Even great souls start out as children, and the revered 13th-century Sufi poet Jelaluddin Rumi is no exception. In order to become "the one and only Rumi," he had to endure a boyhood experience of fleeing from all the places and friends he had loved, as do refugees even to this day.
This book for readers ages four to eight begins with Muhammad (as Rumi was then known) climbing to his rooftop to listen to the birds greet the sun. Already a budding mystic, he notices that "the quieter you become ... the more you are able to hear."
The birds become a recurring motif, as Muhammad's father speaks about how birds continue to sing through happy days and bad ones. This teaching becomes essential for the boy when Genghis Khan and his army approach and his family quickly departs, taking little with them and having scant hope of ever returning.
The bold radiance of the pictures makes this book memorable. When Muhammad hands his loaf of bread and his reed flute to a poor man he meets in Baghdad, we see the man standing more erect, reclaiming his dignity. The cover art examplifies the glow of the color palette and the sweep of motion — as well as attention to detail — that illustrator Maneli Manouchehri offers. She has contributed illustrations to more than 30 book projects and participates in art exhibitions throughout Iran and Europe.
As a child, award-winning author Rabiah York instantly took to Rumi's message that hope can be found in the darkest of times. She wisely observes that his loving family and strong roots helped him heal from the trauma the Mongol invasion and the ensuing years of searching for a home. She hopes that his message will help many others also move forward and heal.
