Name: Zal and Simorgh
Author: Mohsen Zarei

Rostam and Rakhsh رستم و رخش

Shahnameh Coloring Stories, book 1. Retold by Mohsen Zarei, for ages 3–7.

One page to read together, the same page to color

More than a thousand years ago, the poet Ferdowsi told of Rostam, the great hero of Iran, and Rakhsh, the only horse strong enough to carry him. In this gentle retelling for young children, Rostam finds Rakhsh, and together they set out on a long journey where a lion, a burning desert and a dragon are waiting. Every page of story, in Persian and English, faces a big, simple picture to color.

Big, simple pictures to color, made for small hands
Short Persian and English text on every story page, with one word to learn
A real couplet from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh on every story page
A word list, a note for grown-ups and a page to draw your own
For ages 3 to 7, to read aloud together

Preview pages

Rostam was very strong, so he needed a strong horse.
چون رستم خیلی نیرومند بود، پس به یک اسب قوی نیاز داشت.

Many horses were brought to Rostam, and he tried them one by one.
اسب‌های زیادی برای رستم آوردند و رستم همه را یکی‌یکی امتحان کرد.

Suddenly, a white mare came forward. A big, strong colt was behind her.
ناگهان یک مادیان سفید جلو آمد. یک کرهٔ بزرگ و قوی هم پشت سرش بود.

The colt was no ordinary horse. He had dark eyes and red markings on his coat.
آن کره معمولی نبود. چشم‌های سیاه و نقش‌های سرخی روی تنش داشت.

Zal and Simorgh زال و سیمرغ

Shahnameh Coloring Stories, book 2. Retold by Mohsen Zarei, for ages 3–7.

From line art to color: Zal's story in Simorgh's mountains

More than a thousand years ago, the poet Ferdowsi told of Zal, a baby born with white hair and a beautiful, radiant face, and of Simorgh, a wise and gentle bird who lives on Mount Alborz. In this gentle retelling for young children, Zal's father, Sam, worries about what people will say, and the baby is left alone in the mountains. Simorgh spots him among the rocks, carries him to her nest and raises him like a mother. Years pass, and Zal grows into a tall, wise and strong young man. When Sam learns that his son is alive, he hurries to the mountains to find him. Simorgh gives Zal a feather to throw into the fire whenever he needs her help. Then she flies with him among the clouds to his father. Sam cries with joy, and Zal and his companions enter the city with joy. Every page of story, in Persian and English, faces a big, simple picture to color.

Big, simple pictures to color, made for small hands
Short Persian and English text on every story page, with one word to learn
A coloring note on Zal's white hair, from Ferdowsi's own words
A note for grown-ups on how the story was retold
For ages 3 to 7, to read aloud together

Preview pages

As Simorgh flew over the mountains, she spotted little Zal among the rocks.
سیمرغ از فراز کوهستان می‌گذشت که زال کوچک را میان سنگ‌ها دید.

Simorgh flew down and lifted Zal from among the rocks.
سیمرغ پایین آمد و زال را از میان سنگ‌ها برداشت.

Simorgh gave Zal a feather and told him to throw it into the fire whenever he needed her help.
سیمرغ یک پَر به زال داد و گفت هر وقت به کمکش نیاز داشت، آن را در آتش بیندازد.

Simorgh sat Zal on her back and flew with him through the clouds.
سیمرغ زال را بر پشت خود نشاند و با او میان ابرها پرواز کرد.

Open Zal and Simorgh

Coming soon.

Rostam and Rakhsh

Our books