Black Wizard / Far and Near Tales

©Daarvak Publishing House 2023

Writer: Mostafa Rahmandoost

Illustrator: Maryam Andaz

Format: Hardcover,

Number of pages: 24 pages

Size:17x24cm

Age: 7 to 14 years

Illustration: Full color

Genre: Children’s Book

Publication date: 2023

ISBN: 9783911036030

Synopsis

The children’s picture book named “Black wizard” which is written around the Italian legend called Bafana.This children’s picture book named Black wizard is about the Italian legend called Befana. Befana is an image coming from layers of culture and symbols and is the festivity following Christmas night. According to the legend, The Three Wise Men (The Three Magi) on their journey met an old woman (Befana) with a broom who asked them where they were going. They told her that they were going to meet a newborn baby, and invited her to come along. But she refused as she was busy. When she realized that the baby was the Redeemer who all the world had been waiting for, her regret was so great. Therefore, she decided to give gifts and rewards to good children.
In this story, the author has created a new story according to the archetype of Befana, which has a special place in Italian literature. In this story, Bianca, who wishes to receive a teddy bear as a gift from Befana encounters interesting events.

More about this book :

«Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being huma» UNESCO’s 1995 Declaration of Principles on Tolerance
This book is part of a -12volume series called “Far and Near Stories”
In this series, we are looking for sweet and indirect ways to achieve concepts of peace, love and tolerance among children. The stories of this collection are not totally based on the folk and classic stories of each country, but also on their mythical and archetypal personalities. In addition, all books are done under the supervision of social and literary experts.

About the author: Mostafa Rahmandoost was born in 1950. He is one of the famous and popular writers for children and youth in Iran, whose fame has reached other countries and his books have been translated into foreign languages ​​​​too. He was also nominated for the 2016 Astrid Lindgren Award.

About the illustrator :  Maryam Andaz was born in 1988. She is an illustrator, graphic designer and art director. Maryam is very interested in working in the field of illustration. She has done many art and illustration projects and is currently working professionally with Iranian and foreign publishers. She is also a member of the Iranian Illustrators Association. She has also been selected at the Bologna Illustration Competition.

Key Selling Point

1. We show how gift-giving is important in relationships. In virtually every culture, gifts and the events at which they are exchanged are a crucial part of the essential process of creating and maintaining social relationships.

2. A fresh look at “kindness,” and “respect to other cultures” with miraculous illustrations.
3. Uniquely designed to allow children to find themselves in each page; it is an empowering book for both adults and children who normally hold marginalized identities in societies.
4. A professional resource to help parents, teachers, therapists, and etc. begin to introduce, explore and address this idea: how to make and keep a friendship.