Avash News: The selected Iranian books are: Sun in the Turkmen Desert — written by Yousef Ghojagh, illustrated by Najla Mahdavi-Sharif, and published by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon).
The School of Jungle Fasts — written by Payam Ebrahimi and Ghazaleh Bigdelou, published by Touti Publishing House. Stars Laugh in Blue — written by Safoura Nayeri, illustrated by Salimeh Babakhan, and published by the Research Institute of Iranian History and Literature. The Wandered Coffin — written by Hamidreza Shahabadi and published by Ofogh Publishing. Siagalesh, the Guardian of the Jungle — written by Mohammad-Reza Shams, illustrated by Parvin Heydarzadeh, and published by Porteghal Publishing.
In the introduction to the White Ravens Catalogue, the International Youth Library highlights that the selected books represent the richness of children’s literature and cultural diversity worldwide. They reflect a broad spectrum of voices, styles, and artistic approaches.
The catalogue is compiled through the collaboration of 20 international experts, including Leila Maktabi-Fard, an Iranian specialist working with the Munich Library.
Each year, the library’s experts review thousands of donated books to identify the most distinguished works. The final selections are those that stand out for their artistic and literary excellence, address global themes, or demonstrate innovation in design or storytelling.
Sun in the Turkmen Desert has already received several international honors, including:
The Golden Whirligig Award (China, 2025)
The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava Award (2025)
Selection in the Bologna Illustration Exhibition (2024)
Selection in the Golden Pen of Belgrade Competition (2025)
According to the White Ravens introduction, the book invites readers into the simple world of Aylar, a young Turkmen girl who feels guilty after lying to her elderly neighbor—an act that leaves her unable to weave carpets. With the guidance of her mother and the village women, Aylar learns the true meaning of honesty and kindness. Set against the vivid backdrop of Turkmen Sahra, the story pays tribute to the tradition, artistry, and resilience of the Turkmen people.
