The Phoenix of Persia (One Story, Many Voices)

In ancient Persia, a longed-for prince is abandoned because his hair is white. Rescued and raised by the Simorgh, the phoenix that created the world, he grows in knowledge and wisdom until the king repents and seeks his son. The Simorgh says to the king, whose own hair has turned white, "White hair brings wisdom"; to the prince: "Being human is being able to forgive." Clayton adroitly relates this tale from a traditional Iranian epic, setting it in a framework of children listening to a storyteller. Shades of cerulean, rust, and emerald recur in Sharif's jewel-hued illustrations; fine lines scratch and shape the details of feathers and kings. A QR code takes readers to SoundCloud for a narrated version of the tale accompanied by a variety of traditional Iranian instruments, each one associated with a particular character or place, helpfully explained at the book's close. These digital assets elevate an enriching read. Ages 5-7. (Mar.)

Gr 1-5--Music joins storytelling in this multimedia presentation of a classical tale from Iran. The book begins with an explanation of the Persian epic The Shanameh ("The Book of Kings"), discussing its poetic origins and the "ancient tradition of storytelling and poetry where musicians play instruments to bring stories to life." There's a brief synopsis of the tale told here, and readers are instructed to use a printed QR code to hear the story told along with Iranian instrumental music. The story starts with modern-day children racing into a park to hear the musicians and storyteller. They are told it will be a story in four parts, beginning in an ancient time "far from humans and near the sun" on a sparkling "mountain made of jewels" where there's a giant tree holding the giant nest of a huge bird, the Simorgh, that is both magical and wise. "She was the size of thirty birds and shone like a hundred suns." Meanwhile, down in ancient Persia, a king and his wife finally have a long-desired baby son. Shades of rust and blue predominate the book's illustrations. The fiery figure of the Simorgh bears an odd, seemingly cloth banner atop her head. Human figures are crude and clumsy, many appearing to be prehistoric or even sepulchral. Teacher resources are also offered online. VERDICT The multifaceted production and the familiar themes of magical times and a human child raised by a heroic figure offer many possibilities for use and enjoyment.--Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston