The Phoenix of Persia

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. [em](Mar.) [/em]