TEHRAN- The Children’s Book Council of Iran has introduced three Iranian books to different categories of the Honor List of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).

The selected works include “Patash Khoargar 1” written by Arman Arian in the writing category, “The Sand Wolf, First Summer” written by Åsa Lind and translated by Namdar Nasser-Qasri in the Translation category, and “You Are a Globe-Trotter” written by Shahrzad Shahrjerdi and illustrated by Ghazal Fathollahi in the illustration category, IRNA reported on Sunday.

According to the Children’s Book Council, the reason for selecting “Patash Khoargar 1” is the fact that the author has successfully created unique and lasting characters in literature, mixing fantasy with the Iranian mythology. The complex and suspenseful structure of the story and the use of language appropriate to the topic and content are the most effective features of the text. The work has a special and universal view in the reflection of human conflicts and concepts in every period of history.

The story of the epic book is about the beginning of the battle between good and evil, destruction and life, light and darkness.

Arman Arian, 42, is an author, novelist and researcher. He is the youngest winner of the annual Book of The Year of Iran. In addition to many national awards, he received the honorary diploma in the 31st IBBY World Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark (2008) by the International Board on Books for Young People, the highest recognition available to creators of children's books.

Although Arian is known as a children and young adults fantasy writer, he does not limit his genre to fantasy and also, his books are well received by wide range of readers from all age groups. In his writings, Arian has combined an affluent academic background in cinema studies with an extensive knowledge of myths, religions and history.

Explaining about choosing the translation of “The Sand Wolf,” the Children’s Book Council has said: “The translator, while maintaining the atmosphere of humor and linguistic subtleties, has provided a fluent and correct translation. The choice of vocabulary appropriate to the emotional and poetic language and the tone suitable to the children personality are among the impressive features of the work.”

Nasser-Qasri’s translation of the book has won the gold medal of the 9th edition of the prestigious Flying Turtle Award in Iran, which is annually presented to top children's writers in the country.

“The Sand Wolf” has been praised by children and critics all over the world. First published in 2002, it contains a number of heart-warming, poetic stories about a friendship between a girl and a sand wolf.

The main character of the story is a little girl named Zackarina who lives in a little house by the sea. When her parents don’t play with her, she goes down to the beach to play and talk to the sand wolf who always has time. He is sparkly and a bit philosophical and explains stuff that Zackarina does not understand.

Åsa Lind writes both fiction and non-fiction and her books are particularly noted for their understanding of the child’s point of view and comprehension of the world, while her writing is admired by critics and readers alike for its perfect pitch. Her writing is poetic and philosophical and tackles some of the larger questions a child may have in a simple manner. Her books are translated into numerous languages.

On the reason why the Children’s Book Council has chosen “You Are a Globe-Trotter,” it said: “The illustrations in creative connection with the short and effective text of the book play a key role in narrating the story. They are in fact extensions of the text. The illustrated characters are believable and diverse. Various scenes have been depicted with many details. Color is used purposefully in the illustrations.

The book tells the story of a brother and sister who are forced to migrate. They are faced with various things on their way to a place where life goes on as they like.

Globe-trotters know the secret of long and exotic trips. They know the difficulties of the path. In the book, the siblings learn how to travel around the world.

The selected books will be inscribed on the IBBY Honor List, which is a biennial selection of outstanding, recently published books, and the authors, translators and illustrators of the books will receive honorary diplomas during the 38th IBBY World Congress in Malaysia.

The IBBY Honor List is one of the most widespread and effective ways of furthering IBBY’s objective of encouraging international understanding through children’s literature.

Several Iranian books have been selected by the Honor List of the IBBY in the previous years.

SS/SAB