In a warm, vibrantly illustrated story drawn from the author’s childhood memories, the team behind My Grandma and Me follow a girl and her father as they explore the wondrous city of Isfahan, Iran – and his family home.
My father and I are explorers. He teaches me that there is no end to learning and the world is mine to explore.
With the first rays of the sun, Mina and her father begin a joyful day exploring the city streets of Isfahan, Iran, where Islam and Judaism intertwine and a community thrives. Mina imagines the ancient sites coming to life as her father points out the fascinating history and architecture of the churches, synagogues and mosques they pass by. The two of them picnic with friends near Si-o-se Pol bridge, then finish the day at Mina’s father’s beautiful childhood home, savouring a dinner specially prepared by Grandma. In a love letter to a location she can no longer visit, Mina Javaherbin’s autobiographical story is a gorgeous, wistful celebration of culture, home and family, glowing with Lindsey Yankey’s soft, intricate illustrations full of pattern and colour. Back matter includes a glossary and a note from the author relaying more about Isfahan’s history and her personal ties.
Mina Javaherbin is an award-winning children’s picture book author. She emigrated from Iran to the US over forty years ago. An architect by training, Mina has written several children’s books exploring the cultures around the world inspired by Persian Literature, sports, and her childhood in Iran.
Mina's bookshave been translated into seventeen languages and sold around the world. Her book The Secret Message, originally published by Disney and now published by Scholastic, is enjoyed by one million students every year since 2012 when it became a part of 4th grade literature textbooks across the USA.
Elephant In The Dark came out in hardcover in 2012 and in 2024 it was selected by Reach Out And Read to promote early literacy. Ten thousand copies were distributed to pediatrician offices and primary care providers.
Her book Goal!, illustrated by A.G. Ford, was an IRA Notable Book For A Global Society and was featured on the New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2010 list. Soccer Star (Football Star) was recognised by the Junior Library Guild Selection in 2014 and received multiple awards from the International Latin Book Awards in 2015. Her autobiographical book My Grandma and Me earned multiple starred reviews from Kirkus Review, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness. It’s translated into Arabic and Hebrew and listed on the Booklist’s Top 10 religion and spirituality books for youth. My Grandma and Me was named one of the 50 must-read children’s books by Book Riot.
My Father’s House, published in November 2024, is a companion book to My Grandma and Me which takes readers on a tour of Isfahan, a unique and historical city in Iran and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about the book’s backstory in Mina Javaherbin’s Boston Globe interview.
Mina’s happy place is the ski slopes. She also likes to teach yoga since she’s a certified yoga instructor. She likes writing and producing animation shorts too. In 2018, she was a co-producer and writer on the animated short film Empty View which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.
Mina lives in California. Find her online at minajavaherbin.net and on Instagram @javaherbinwriter.
Lindsey Yankey creates picture books as a way of combining all of her artistic passions and inspirations. She studied illustration at the University of Kansas and illustrated
My Grandma and Me and
My Father’s House, both written by Mina Javaherbin; as well as her author-illustrated books
Bluebird, Sun and Moon, and
The Dinosaur Seed. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and are taught in classrooms across the US. Find her online at lindseyyankey.com and on Instagram as @lindsey.yankey.
