Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen
Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen
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Publisher's Hardcover ©2024--
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Charlesbridge Publishing
Annotation: Being the new kid is hard. And wearing something that might seem odd to other kids is even harder.
 
Reviews: 2
Catalog Number: #387085
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Copyright Date: 2024
Edition Date: 2024 Release Date: 07/16/24
Illustrator: Mokhles, Fateme,
Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN: 1-623-54381-9
ISBN 13: 978-1-623-54381-5
Dewey: E
LCCN: 2023016285
Dimensions: 27 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Gr 1–3 —Rostam is very happily living in the United States with his mom and is in the first grade. He misses his baba (father) who is still in Iran working. As much as he has adjusted to life in the U.S., there is an upcoming event at school that has him full of worry: Picture Day. His family hopes he will wear his pusteen, a sheepskin vest with fluffy wool and beautiful embroidery that his father also wore as a boy. Rostam is dreading the teasing he imagines will come from the other kids when he wears it to school. The struggle to avoid the situation and to face his fears develops at a perfectly pitched, agonizing pace with digitally created illustrations that capture the complete emotional journey. Readers who have themselves grappled with an awkward "face your fears" moment will connect with Rostam's struggle and celebrate with the resolution. Despite Rostam's concerns, his classmates are exuberantly curious and exceedingly respectful; Rostam is delighted when everyone wants to try it on. Emotive illustrations capture Rostam's anxiety and pride in his family and culture. Readers will connect with the emotional journey that he goes through on multiple levels. VERDICT Highly recommended for empathy building as well as a cultural window into a small piece of Iranian culture.—John Scott

Kirkus Reviews

A first grader worries that his friends will make fun of his outfitRostam and his mother recently moved to the United States; his father (Baba) still lives in Iran. Though Rostam's been in America only three months, he's already made friends, and on a video call, Baba praises the boy for his bravery. But Rostam is nervous about his picture-day outfit: Baba's pusteen, a traditional vest once worn by Iranian shepherds. At school, it seems as though Rostam's fears are justified. His classmates pepper him with questions: "What'sthat?" "Why's the inside so fluffy?" Rostam remembers to be brave and explains the garment's significance; enthralled, his classmates beg to try it on. Their admiration banishes his worries, and in a text message to his father, he says, "I'm going to wear my pusteen forever." Mokhles' expressive cartoon illustrations capture Rostam's emotional trajectory. Her depictions of his family's bright, simple home exude a relatable warmth; their "yummy rice" dinner looks especially mouthwatering. Tahmaseb offers an encouraging-and refreshing-reversal of expectations; here, the new kid isn't bullied for his differences, but embraced for them. While many immigrant kids face discrimination, Tahmaseb mentions in an author's note that in his own father's case, "sharing a part of his Persian heritage ultimately led to self-acceptance and joy. It's important to remember that stories like this exist, too."An affirming tale that will inspire many kids to open up about their own cultural identities. (glossary)(Picture book. 4-8)

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School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Kirkus Reviews
Reading Level: 1.0
Interest Level: P-2
Lexile: AD570L

Being the new kid is hard. And wearing something that might seem odd to other kids is even harder.

Rostam and Maman recently moved to the United States, and Baba is still working in Iran. Now it's picture day at school, and Rostam doesn't want to wear his pusteen. Even though Baba wore it when he was little, and it's beautiful and soft, Rostam worries that the other kids will think it's weird.

But sometimes being brave means sharing your whole self with others.

“Distinctive in the way it models children who easily accept and celebrate cultural difference, this is a reassuring tale about sharing the things that make us unique.”—Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, award-winning children’s book author of Mommy’s Khimar and Your Name Is a Song


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