This is an interview with Moujan Adl, author of A Girl Named Mithra, a picture book about the Iranian winter solstice holiday of Yalda.

Links:

Moujan Adl, author: https://www.pompub.com/aboutus

Mona Danesh, illustrator: https://mdanesh.myportfolio.com/, @nazarjoon

Farzad Hemati, translator to Persian: https://www.pompub.com/translator

Yalda is traditionally celebrated with readings from the poet Hafez. For more information:

https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hafez/

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170109-the-mystical-poet-who-can-help-you-lead-a-better-life

For information on the University of Arizona Center for Middle Eastern Studies, go to: https://cmes.arizona.edu/.

For information on the Middle East Outreach Council, go to: http://www.meoc.us/

MEOC Book Award information, including a list of all winners is at: http://www.meoc.us/book-awards.html

Abby Limmer can be reached at [email protected] .