Sara Azizi is a writer and storyteller who has wide-ranging interests in the arts in general and traditional Persian literature in particular. A native of Iran, she has lived and studied in Potsdam, New York, and Toronto. The Knight, the Princess, and the Magic Rock is her first book to be published in the US.

Alireza Sadeghian is a professional painter and freelance illustrator. In addition to his design and illustration work, he has also taught art in his native Iran. He holds a degree in the preservation and restoration of historic sites and monuments, and lives in Isfahan, Iran with his wife and two children.

The romance of Bijan and Manijeh is found in the Book of Kings (Shahnameh), the national epic poem of Iran. Bijan, a warrior prince, is asked by the king to rid the country of wild boars, which he successfully does. On his way back from his mission, he meets and falls in love with Manijeh, a princess of an enemy kingdom. Rather than be parted from him, Manijeh tricks Bijan into drinking a potion that keeps him with Manijeh. When he is inevitably discovered, he is imprisoned in an underground pit, covered by a magic rock. The knight Rostam eventually rescues him, and the wiser, chastened lovers live happily ever after. Azizi's retelling of this major Persian tale emphasizes its mythopoeic themes; Sadeghian's gorgeous color illustrations bring to vivid life both the tale and classical Persian art. Supplemental interpretive commentary gives more mature readers food for spiritual thought.-- "Publishers Weekly"

The Knight, the Princess & the Magic Rock is an easily read and enjoyable story with beautiful illustrations in the style of an ancient ethnic tale.-- "Foreword Reviews"

The Knight, the Princess & the Magic Rock: A Classic Persian Tale provides a very easy reader that needs no advanced reading skills to prove accessible, and retells the classic Personal story of a brave young knight called Bijan who falls in love with the daughter of an enemy of Persia. Their romance will endanger their lives in this fine tale, illustrated by Alireza Sadgehian and packed with color. Kids who enjoy folktales from other countries will find a winner, here!-- "Midwest Book Review"

Publisher: Wisdom Tales

Pub date: 2012-07-16

Length: 32 pages