Welcome Uncle Nowruz, A Persian New Year’s Story Book Review for Read Your World Day 2026

posted on January 29, 2026 by Eve Panzer

Read Your World Day 2026 Review

Welcome Uncle Nowruz, A Persian New Year’s Story

Rashin Kheiriyeh

NorthSouth Books, 2026

Reviewed by Eve Panzer, The Barefoot Librarian, for Read Your World Day 2026

This is a lively, joyful retelling of a Persian folktale about Uncle Nowruz, the personification of spring, who travels across the land to announce the beginning of spring. Nowruz, meaning “new day,” marks the Persian New Year. Every year, the community eagerly awaits the arrival of Uncle Nowruz.  Join Nane Sarma, the grandmother of winter herself, and her grandchildren as they prepare for this festive celebration. And along the way, learn about this holiday, its customs, foods, and traditions, as you read this entertaining story.

 

Nane Sarma and her grandchildren begin by doing their spring cleaning.  As they clean, they sing “Goodbye crispy winter, hello vibrant spring.”  Then it is off to the market to buy the traditional items for the Haft-Seen, the holiday table, and for the holiday meal – Sabzi Polo ba Mahi, herbed rice and fish. Among their purchases are sprouts, Sabzeh for new spring growth; garlic, Seer, for good health; red apples, Seeb, for beauty; and Serkeh, vinegar, for patience.  The children all get new clothes, as is the custom for the new year.

                                

Once the meal is prepared and the table is set, the children wait for Uncle Nowruz. However, Nane Sarma, exhausted from all of the preparations, has fallen asleep. Can the children wake her for Uncle Nowruz’s arrival and the celebration?  Find out as you share the joy of this holiday with Nane Sarma and her grandchildren.

 

In addition to the entertaining story, the illustrations add a rich, inviting layer. Bright, colorful, and cheery pictures reflect the joy and excitement of the holiday. The art is beautifully detailed but has a uniquely childlike feel. This adds warmth and coziness to the book, making it picture-perfect for young readers.

 

Learning about other cultures enriches our lives. Picture books are an excellent way to introduce children to other cultures.  Welcome, Uncle Nowruz! A Persian New Year’s Story, written by an author who celebrates the holiday herself, does an outstanding job of conveying the customs, traditions, meaning, and joy of this holiday celebration in a highly engaging way. Highly recommended.

 

Thank you to NorthSouth Books and Gelsey Phaneuf for providing me with a review copy of this lovely book.

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