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Recommended for fans of Juvenile Fiction
Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story
by Adib Khorram
A warm, funny Nowruz picture book in which a small boy, a mischievous cat, and a toppled haft-seen turn a holiday mishap into a lesson in creativity and family joy.
What It's About
Seven Special Somethings follows Kian, a young boy counting down to Persian New Year. His family has set out a haft-seen, the traditional Nowruz table of seven items whose Persian names begin with the letter S, each meant to carry a hope for the coming year. Kian, eager to make everyone even happier, decides the table needs one more S. That idea, combined with an overly curious cat named Sonny, leads to a mess and a race against the clock before relatives arrive.
Adib Khorram, best known for his young adult novels, brings the same affection for Persian family life to a much younger audience. The story works on two levels: as a simple, relatable tale about a kid trying to fix a problem he helped cause, and as a gentle introduction to Nowruz customs. Readers learn what a haft-seen is and why its items matter without the book feeling like a lesson.
Reading it aloud is a pleasant experience. The pacing builds toward a small emergency, the cat provides slapstick, and the search for replacement items invites kids to think along with Kian. Families who celebrate Nowruz will likely recognize their own traditions, while those new to the holiday get an inviting, unintimidating window into it. It suits bedtime, classroom read-alouds, and seasonal story times around the spring equinox.
Read this if you…
- want a picture book that introduces Nowruz in a natural, story-first way
- are looking for Persian or Iranian representation on a young child's bookshelf
- enjoy read-alouds with a pet causing chaos and a child saving the day
Skip it if you…
- want a detailed nonfiction guide to Nowruz history and rituals
- have a reader who has outgrown picture books and wants longer chapter-book stories
Key Ideas
- 1
The haft-seen, explained through a child
Instead of opening with facts, the book introduces the haft-seen through Kian's excitement and curiosity. Young readers absorb what the table is, that its items share a starting letter, and that each represents a wish for the new year, all because a child in the story cares about getting it right. The cultural details feel lived-in rather than presented for outsiders.
- 2
Fixing a mistake with creativity
When the table ends up on the floor, Kian has to solve the problem himself. The story models resourcefulness and problem-solving under pressure, showing a child taking responsibility instead of hiding. Kids can follow his reasoning and guess what he might use, which makes the read-aloud interactive and gives adults a natural way to talk about handling accidents calmly.
- 3
Joy as something you make together
Kian's original goal is to make his family happier, and the book keeps returning to that motive. Its warmth comes from the idea that holiday happiness is less about perfect objects than about care, effort, and togetherness. That message lands without heavy moralizing, letting the family relationships carry it.
- 4
Humor keeps the holiday story lively
Sonny the cat is the comic engine of the book, and the playful letter-S game gives the plot a light, puzzle-like feel. The humor keeps holiday content from becoming dutiful, so the book holds up to repeated readings rather than being something pulled out once a year purely for educational reasons.
Limitations
As a short picture book, it covers only one slice of Nowruz, centered on the haft-seen, so readers wanting the broader holiday traditions, history, or regional variations will need another resource. Adults unfamiliar with the Persian terms may need to look up pronunciations before reading aloud. The plot is simple and fairly predictable in shape, which suits its age group but may feel slight to older siblings. Its strongest appeal is seasonal, so some families may reach for it mainly in spring.
Questions Readers Ask
- What age is Seven Special Somethings best for?
- It is a picture book aimed roughly at preschool through early elementary children, around ages 3 to 7. Younger kids enjoy the cat's antics and the search, while slightly older children can engage with the letter-S idea and the cultural details. It works well read aloud by an adult.
- Do you need to know about Nowruz to enjoy it?
- No. The story explains the haft-seen through Kian's perspective, so newcomers pick up the basics as they go. Families who celebrate Persian New Year will find familiar touches, while others get an accessible introduction that could spark questions and further reading.
- Is this the same Adib Khorram who wrote Darius the Great Is Not Okay?
- Yes. Khorram is best known for his young adult novels about a Persian American teen. This picture book brings his interest in Persian family life and culture to a much younger audience, with a lighter, playful tone suited to small children.
- Published
- 2021
- ISBN
- 9780593108260
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Category
- Children's Books
Book details and cover from Google Books.
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