"The Boy and the Red Balloon" is a first in a series of children's books inspired by my son, Kian. He, as with any child, is the epitome of unconditional love . With love, one will overcome any hurdle. It is the story of a journey the Balloon takes to understand as it interacts with interesting characters along the way. Yet, it has many layers that deal with emotions, simple understanding of surroundings, dealing with defeats and triumphs but never giving up. The message is quite simple: BELIEVE.
About the Author: As a child, I always felt that our contact with our surroundings whether it involves our family, friends, strangers, nature, inanimate objects or just plain circumstances were all experiences to be nurtured. As an adult and a parent of two--I cannot emphasize that enough! Every experience becomes a memory that is etched in the mind and all the emotions are attached to these memories. The good, the bad, and the extraordinary! I was born in the Middle East, in the country known as Persia (Iran) in 1973, living through many highs and some lows: a revolution (1979), parents divorce (1980), a war (1980-1988), an immigration to a different land to have a new beginning (1987) are to name a few. Many others have traveled through similar peaks and valleys and my experiences may certainly not be as captivating as theirs. But, each and every one is unique and must be shared. Most important of all, such stories are universal which bind and connect us in a most unique, human way. I took refuge in reading written works by Ferdowsi, Jules Verne, Shakespeare, Jack London, Mark Twain to name a few. My mother (a playwright) gladly fed that frenzy. I also began to draw to cope with those life-changing experiences. Art became the fuel to an imagination. The graphic novels by Herge (Tin Tin Adventures) as well as classic paintings and drawings by Picasso, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Kamal-ol-molk inspired my dormant mind. After immigrating to the United States via France and Italy, I began my studies in the state of Iowa. I attended High school, undergraduate and graduate school (college of Dentistry) at the University of Iowa and currently practice in the suburbs of Chicago. I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be a part of the human experience. My aim with writing and illustrating books, especially children's books, is to simply shed light on the power of our humanity. Nothing is more gratifying to see a child engaged by feeling the emotions that are universal and to hear his or her laughter--to ask a question and maybe even feel a little sadness but to ultimately be uplifted. Our children are capable of feeling and reading our emotions as well! Find it in your heart to BELIEVE..... in your children's abilities to be geniuses in their own way.