Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar

NPR Best Books of the Year Selection

★ “Mother-daughter writing team Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani explain in their authors’ note that they based this cozy, whimsical outing on Hassani’s childhood in Tehran in the 1960s and ’70 . . . they evoke the familiar warmth of a child’s relationship with a beloved grandparent.” —BCCB, starred review

“The mother-daughter team of authors based the story on their own experiences with a grandmother’s chador as a safe place to shelter. Hassani also pulled from her memories of the bazaar she visited during her childhood in Tehran . . . An affectionate portrayal of a grandmother and grandchild that also showcases a cultural garment.” —School Library Journal

“The rhythmic, playful text beautifully captures the dual patter of an excited child and a bustling city . . . richly hued, often comedically exaggerated illustrations . . . A sweet and gentle story about an oft-misunderstood garment.” —Kirkus

“Each of the pair’s rhymed exchanges convey a sweet bond as detailed by Hassani and Iravani, who describe Tehran as a magical city and the chador . . . Fidawi’s collage-like digital illustrations overlay realistic city scenes with playful images of Mama Shamsi’s imaginings, sweetly blending the realistic with the fantastical.” —Publishers Weekly