TEHRAN – A book exhibition titled “Tak Khal” (literally meaning Ace), featuring 300 published works by Iranian expats in various languages, is underway at the Reference Library of the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon), in Tehran.

The Reference Library of Kanoon recently issued a public call inviting Iranian authors to donate or lend books they have published abroad in different languages, Mehr reported.

Following this call, Iranian writers, illustrators, and publishers living overseas sent 300 book titles to the Kanoon Reference Library. All the works are now on display in the exhibition.

The exhibition takes its name from one of the submitted books. “Tak Khal,” written by Payam Ebrahimi, has so far been translated into seven languages and, as a symbol of the international presence and impact of Iranian works, inspired the naming of the exhibition.

The book has been translated into English and published under the title “Champ”. It is a picture book from a talented Iranian author and illustrator duo, Payam Ebrahimi and Reza Dalvand.

It is the story of a boy named Abtin who was born into an athletic family. Everyone in his family is a champion. So, he had to learn to eat, walk, sleep, and dream like a champion. But he doesn't like to be a champion.

Abtin is nothing like the rest of his family. All his family members are fiercely competitive sports champions, and they expect Abtin to become a great athlete too. But he is a reader, an artist, and has his own way of doing things. Despite his family’s best efforts, Abtin remains stubbornly himself. Wanting his family to be proud of him, he comes up with a plan to make them happy: a plan that doesn’t go quite as expected.

The book was listed in the Bologna Bookfair 2018, selected in the Sharjah Children’s Illustration Exhibition 2018, listed in White Ravens 2019, acclaimed and recommended by the Children’s Book Council of Iran in 2020, and selected as Book of the Year 2024 by Book for Keeps.

A powerful and honest story of continuing to be yourself, despite the pressure to conform, “Champ” is a book for anyone who marches to the beat of their own drum: for the artists in a science family, or the readers in a sports family. It is a book for those around the world who have resisted and continue to do so, no matter what.

This reassuring, quirky tale mocks outrageous parental demands. Kids will chuckle at the conclusion; those whose parents have high expectations will recognize that the comic, over-exaggerated illustrations are sardonic commentaries. Readers will appreciate self-confident Abtin, an actual champ because he recognizes his own worth and, as an artist, creatively fixes his humorously outrageous situation. A winning reminder that those who believe in themselves are true champs.

The kooky, surreal drawings, with exaggerated and menacing relatives lording it over Abtin in strangely formal indoor settings, certainly make this a unique-looking picture book.

The messages of the book include accepting differences in all cases, avoiding humiliation, and refraining from imposing strictures. Parents should believe in their kids, and kids believe in themselves. By reading the book, the new generation can see a hero within themselves and grow stronger and more successful than the previous generations.

The book can also help teachers lead Q&A sessions with students about their talents, skills, and career aspirations. Talent searches should begin in schools and families, and this book could initiate a new dialogue with students about their aspirations. Additionally, a workshop where students can paint their dreams for the future would be really fun.

Payam Ebrahimi, 37, started writing stories when he was five years old. At the age of 16, he started working for magazines as a humorist. He studied nuclear physics at university but still kept writing. As a university student, he worked as a graphic designer, film editor, teacher, and journalist, but he never quit writing. Now he is working as a copywriter, editor, and teacher, and still keeps writing stories.

Illustrator Reza Dalvand, 36, has published more than 15 books in Iran, Europe, and Asia, including “Where Is My House?” and “The Gluttonous Washing Machine”, “Gulistan” and “Mrs. Bibi’s Elephant”.

His works have been showcased in many solo and group exhibitions in England, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, and several other countries.

Alongside the “Tak Khal” exhibition, specialized discussion panels as well as side programs are also planned.

The book exhibition will be open until February 19 at the Kanoon Reference Library, located at the Ahmadreza Ahmadi Hall of Shahid Malek Shamran Complex, Shahid Seyed Hassan Nasrallah Street, Shahid Beheshti Street. Visiting hours are from 8 am to 7 pm, and admission is free for the public.

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