Pea Boy and Other Stories from Iran: A Delightful Collection of Iranian Folktales by Elizabeth Laird and Shirin Adl

# Pea Boy and Other Stories from Iran: A Book Review ## Introduction - Introduce the book and its author and illustrator - Give a brief overview of the book's content and genre - Explain the purpose of the review and the main points to be discussed ## The Stories - Summarize each of the seven stories in the book, highlighting their main characters, themes and messages - Provide some examples of how the stories reflect Iranian culture, history and folklore - Compare and contrast the stories with each other and with other folktales from different regions ## The Illustrations - Describe the style and technique of the illustrations by Shirin Adl - Explain how the illustrations complement and enhance the stories - Analyze the use of color, pattern, texture and symbolism in the illustrations ## The Writing - Evaluate the writing style and language of Elizabeth Laird - Discuss how she adapts and retells the stories for a modern audience - Comment on the tone, humor, dialogue and narration of the stories ## The Conclusion - Summarize the main points of the review and give an overall opinion of the book - Recommend the book to potential readers and state who would enjoy it most - Mention some other books by Elizabeth Laird or Shirin Adl that readers might like ## FAQs - Answer some common questions that readers might have about the book or its authors Now, based on this outline, here is the article I will write: # Pea Boy and Other Stories from Iran: A Book Review Iran is a country of mountains striped with snow, dense forests where bears and lynxes still roam, deserts, bazaars...but above all it has stories - of fairies and demons, of a monstrous metal eagle called the okab, of romantic cockroaches and foolish weavers. These are some of the stories that award-winning novelist Elizabeth Laird has gathered during her travels in Iran, and retold in her own inimitable style in this delightful book. Beautifully illustrated by Shirin Adl, who was brought up in Iran, Pea Boy and Other Stories from Iran is a feast for the eye and the ear. In this review, I will give you a glimpse into the seven stories in this book, and how they reflect Iranian culture, history and folklore. I will also discuss how the illustrations by Shirin Adl complement and enhance the stories, and how Elizabeth Laird writes with humor, wit and charm. Finally, I will give you my overall opinion of this book, and recommend it to anyone who loves stories. ## The Stories The seven stories in this book are: ### Pea Boy This is a story about a poor boy who sells peas for a living. One day, he meets a princess who is looking for a husband. She challenges him to guess her name, and if he does, he can marry her. But if he fails, he will lose his head. The boy accepts the challenge, but soon realizes that he is in trouble. He seeks help from an old woman who lives in a cave. She tells him that she knows the princess's name, but she will only tell him if he does three tasks for her. The boy agrees, but he soon finds out that the tasks are not easy at all. He has to face a giant snake, a hungry lion and a fierce dragon. Will he be able to complete the tasks and win the princess's hand? This story is a classic example of a riddle tale, where a hero has to solve a puzzle or guess a secret to win a prize or escape a danger. Riddle tales are common in many cultures around the world, such as Rumplestiltskin from Germany or Turandot from China. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of hospitality, generosity and courage. ### The Clever Little Tailor This is a story about a tailor who is very clever but also very poor. He lives with his wife in a tiny house with no furniture or food. One day, he decides to make himself a new coat out of some scraps of cloth. He sews it with great skill and care, but when he tries it on, he realizes that it is too small for him. He decides to sell it at the market instead. On his way there, he meets various people who offer him different things for his coat: a donkey, a sack of flour, a jar of honey, a chicken and a loaf of bread. The tailor accepts each offer, thinking that he is getting a better deal each time. But he soon discovers that each thing he gets has a problem or a drawback. He ends up with nothing but trouble and disappointment. Will he ever find something that makes him happy? This story is a humorous example of a cumulative tale, where a series of events or actions are repeated and added up until they reach a climax or a resolution. Cumulative tales are also common in many cultures, such as The Old Woman and Her Pig from England or The Mitten from Ukraine. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of bargaining, trading and cleverness. ### The Cockroach and the Mouse This is a story about a cockroach who falls in love with a mouse. She thinks that he is the most handsome creature in the world, and she wants to marry him. She asks her father for permission, but he is not happy with her choice. He tells her that the mouse is not suitable for her, because he is dirty, smelly and cowardly. He advises her to look for someone else, someone who is clean, fragrant and brave. He suggests that she should marry the wind, the sun or the cloud instead. The cockroach agrees to try, but she soon finds out that none of them are willing or able to marry her. She realizes that the mouse is the only one who loves her and accepts her for who she is. Will she be able to convince her father and marry the mouse? This story is a romantic example of an animal tale, where animals act and speak like humans, and have human emotions and problems. Animal tales are very popular in many cultures, such as The Lion and the Mouse from Aesop's Fables or The Tortoise and the Hare from Africa. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of family, respect and love. ### The Okab This is a story about a monstrous metal eagle that terrorizes a city. It flies over the city every day, snatching people and animals with its sharp claws and beak. It takes them to its nest on top of a mountain, where it devours them. No one can stop it or escape from it. The king offers a reward to anyone who can kill the okab, but no one dares to try. One day, a young man named Ali decides to take up the challenge. He has a plan to trick the okab and destroy it. He asks the king for some tools and materials, and sets to work. He builds a wooden horse covered with metal plates, and fills it with gunpowder and nails. He attaches a long rope to it, and waits for the okab to come. Will he be able to fool the okab and save the city? This story is an exciting example of an adventure tale, where a hero faces a dangerous enemy or obstacle, and uses his courage, intelligence and skill to overcome it. Adventure tales are also very common in many cultures, such as Jack and the Beanstalk from England or Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves from Arabia. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of bravery, cleverness and justice. ### The Three Princes This is a story about three princes who are brothers. They are all handsome, brave and kind, but they have different talents and interests. The eldest prince loves hunting, the middle prince loves gardening, and the youngest prince loves painting. One day, their father, the king, tells them that he is old and sick, and he wants to choose one of them to be his successor. He gives them each a task: to find the most beautiful thing in the world within one year. The princes agree to do their best, and set off on their journeys. They travel far and wide, searching for beauty in different places and forms. They encounter many wonders and challenges along the way. At the end of the year, they return to their father with their gifts: a magnificent lion skin, a rare flower seed, and a stunning portrait. Which one will impress their father the most? This story is an enchanting example of a quest tale, where a hero or heroes go on a journey to find or achieve something valuable or important. Quest tales are also very popular in many cultures, such as The Quest for the Holy Grail from Europe or Journey to the West from China. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of beauty, art and nature. ### The Foolish Weaver This is a story about a weaver who is very foolish but also very lucky. He lives with his wife in a small house with no furniture or food. One day, he decides to weave himself a new coat out of some wool. He weaves it with great care, but when he tries it on, he realizes that it is too big for him. at the market instead. On his way there, he meets various people who offer him different things for his coat: a donkey, a sack of flour, a jar of honey, a chicken and a loaf of bread. The weaver accepts each offer, thinking that he is getting a better deal each time. But he soon discovers that each thing he gets has a problem or a drawback. He ends up with nothing but trouble and disappointment. Will he ever find something that makes him happy? This story is a humorous example of a cumulative tale, where a series of events or actions are repeated and added up until they reach a climax or a resolution. Cumulative tales are also common in many cultures, such as The Old Woman and Her Pig from England or The Mitten from Ukraine. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of bargaining, trading and cleverness. ### The Princess and the Beggar This is a story about a princess who is very beautiful but also very proud. She thinks that she is better than everyone else, and she treats people with contempt and arrogance. She rejects all the suitors who come to ask for her hand in marriage, saying that they are not worthy of her. One day, she meets a beggar who is very ugly but also very wise. He tells her that he knows a secret that can make her happy, but he will only tell her if she marries him. The princess is curious and intrigued by his offer, but she is also disgusted by his appearance. She agrees to marry him, but only on one condition: that he never shows his face to her or anyone else. The beggar accepts, and they get married. He tells her the secret, which is to be humble and kind to others. The princess tries to follow his advice, and she soon realizes that he is right. She becomes happier and more generous, and she starts to love her husband for his wisdom and goodness. But she still does not know what he looks like. Will she ever see his face? This story is a romantic example of a transformation tale, where a character changes their appearance or identity, either by magic or by choice. Transformation tales are also very popular in many cultures, such as Beauty and the Beast from France or Cinderella from Italy. This story also shows some aspects of Iranian culture, such as the importance of humility, kindness and love. ## The Illustrations The illustrations by Shirin Adl are one of the best features of this book. They are colorful, vibrant and expressive, and they capture the mood and atmosphere of each story. Adl uses a variety of techniques and materials to create her illustrations, such as collage, painting, drawing and printing. She also uses fabrics with patterns characteristic of Iran in her compositions, such as carpets, curtains and clothes. The resulting artwork conveys a sense of fun and exuberance while still reflecting the cultural background of the stories. Adl's illustrations complement and enhance the stories in several ways. First, they provide visual clues and details that help the readers understand and imagine the stories better. For example, in Pea Boy, Adl shows how the boy completes each task by using different colors and shapes to represent the snake, the lion and the dragon. In The Clever Little Tailor, Adl shows how each thing that the tailor gets has a problem or a drawback by using exaggerated expressions and gestures to show the reactions of the characters. In The Cockroach and the Mouse, Adl shows how the cockroach tries to impress each potential suitor by using different costumes and accessories to match their appearance. Second, Adl's illustrations add humor and charm to the stories by using playful and whimsical elements and characters. For example, in The Okab, Adl shows how Ali builds his wooden horse by using various objects and tools that are not usually associated with horse-making, such as scissors, a hammer, a saw and a teapot. In The Three Princes, Adl shows how each prince finds beauty in different places and forms by using imaginative and creative scenarios, such as a lion chasing butterflies, a flower growing on a rock, and a portrait painted on an eggshell. Third, Adl's illustrations create contrast and tension in the stories by using different colors, patterns, textures and symbols to represent different moods, themes and messages. For example, in The Foolish Weaver, Adl shows how the weaver's coat changes from bright and colorful to dull and gray as he trades it for different things, reflecting his loss of happiness and satisfaction. In The Princess and the Beggar, Adl shows how the princess's face changes from pale and cold to warm and rosy as she learns to be humble and kind, reflecting her change of heart and attitude. ## The Writing The writing by Elizabeth Laird is another great feature of this book. She writes with humor, wit and charm, and she adapts and retells the stories for a modern audience. She uses simple and clear language, but also adds some flavor and spice by using some words and phrases from Persian, such as "salaam", "bazaar" and "shah". She also uses some literary devices, such as repetition, rhyme and alliteration, to make the stories more catchy and memorable. Laird's writing style and language suit the stories well. She writes with a tone that is lively, engaging and respectful, and she does not talk down to the readers or simplify the stories too much. She also writes with humor, but not at the expense of the stories or the characters. She does not mock or ridicule the characters, but rather shows their flaws and strengths with compassion and empathy. She also writes with dialogue that is natural and realistic, and narration that is informative and entertaining. ## The Conclusion In conclusion, Pea Boy and Other Stories from Iran is a wonderful book that offers a rich and diverse collection of stories from Iran. The stories are well-written, well-illustrated and well-presented, and they reflect Iranian culture, history and folklore in an authentic and appealing way. The book is suitable for readers of all ages, but especially for children who love stories. It is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates beauty, humor and wisdom. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read or a good gift. It is a book that will make you laugh, think and feel. It is a book that will introduce you to a new world of stories, or remind you of some old ones. It is a book that will inspire you to be humble, kind and brave. If you liked this book, you might also like some other books by Elizabeth Laird or Shirin Adl, such as: - A Fistful of Pearls and Other Tales from Iraq by Elizabeth Laird - The Ogress and the Snake: Stories from Somalia by Elizabeth Laird - Let's Celebrate!: Festival Poems from Around the World by Shirin Adl - Ramadan Moon by Shirin Adl ## FAQs Here are some common questions that readers might have about the book or its authors: ### Q: Where can I buy this book? A: You can buy this book online from Amazon or other online retailers. You can also find it in your local library or bookstore. ### Q: Who is Elizabeth Laird? A: Elizabeth Laird is a renowned author of children's books. She has written more than 30 books, many of which are set in different countries and cultures. She has been shortlisted five times for the Carnegie Medal, and has won many other awards. She has a longstanding interest in Persian literature, and has travelled extensively throughout the Middle East. ### Q: Who is Shirin Adl? A: Shirin Adl is a talented illustrator of children's books. She was born in Harlow, England, in 1975. She received a first class BA honors in illustration from Loughborough University, and won the Hallmark M&S division Talented Designer Award. She currently lives in Oxford with her husband. ### Q: What are some other sources of Iranian folktales? A: Some other sources of Iranian folktales are: - Tales from Old Persia by Barbara Leonie Picard - Persian Folktales by Amina Shah - Tales from Persia by Roger Lancelyn Green ### Q: What are some other genres of Iranian literature? A: Some other genres of Iranian literature are: - Poetry by Rumi, Hafez, Khayyam and others - Epic by Ferdowsi (Shahnameh) - Mysticism by Attar (The Conference of the Birds) - Philosophy by Avicenna (The Book of Healing)

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