Erin Dealey

It’s the perfect time to celebrate the Book Birthday of

Nazanin Ford’s wonderful picture book, My America Blooms,

illus. Fateme Mokhles (Beaming Books),

–inspired by Ford’s experience of immigrating to the U.S. from Iran as a child.

This is a must-read picture book, friends.

About the Book

“A poetic tribute honoring the resilience and hope of immigrants.” 

—Kirkus

My America Blooms is a beautiful story, with stunning illustrations, about a young girl who brings a pocket of golnar petals from her beloved garden when she and her family are forced to flee Tehran. I love the metaphor of both the girl and her new garden being replanted in America, where friendships bloom, and she finds community, stability, and hope.

“But every garden has its thorns–the girl must dig deep within herself to cultivate the promises of her new home.” –Beaming Books

About the Author

Nazanin Agange Ford was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to the U.S. at a young age. She grew up in Southern California and now lives in Nevada with her husband, two daughters, and an Aussie Labradoodle. Her writing explores her Persian heritage and the adventure of growing up. Naz is a former teacher and journalist. She is a member of Inked Voices, the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and the American Library Association.

Let’s ask some Questions!

Q 1. What was the inspiration for My America Blooms?

Nazanin Ford: My America Blooms started out as a poem I wrote (just for me) exploring what it meant to me to be American. When I started developing it as a picture book, I focused on my experience immigrating to the United States. It was still missing something, though, until I realized the story needed to start before the family leaves Iran.

Emotional Connections

While the story is fictional, I wanted the emotions—leaving everything you know in hopes of a better life—to ring true. I knew I would acknowledge the challenges, but I wanted to focus on the feeling of hope. I think that sense of hope is what makes America such a special place, and it’s such a common thread for those of us who immigrate here.

Q 2. I love your lyrical text, especially the line,” No one can uproot what we came to grow.” Do you have a favorite line or spread?

Nazanin Ford: First of all, thank you for that compliment!

Second, this is a tough question! I love every spread in this book and I spent A LOT of time with each line. If I have to pick a favorite spread, it is the taxi scene.

It was the first illustration I ever saw for the story. In a single image, Fateme Mokhles had somehow captured the heart of the story perfectly. But there are so many beautiful illustrations in this book, I reserve the right to select several favorites!

As for my favorite line, I’d have to say it’s “I tuck / tiny petals / in between pages.” (above spread) I feel like those seven words convey so much about the narrator: her hopes, her values, and her courage. Plus, I love the alliteration.

Being and Belonging

Q 3. Could you share the back story of the phrase, “Amrika-yeh-man”? What is its special significance in My America Blooms?

Nazanin Ford: “Amrika-yeh-man” translates from Farsi to “My America” in English. That was actually the title of my poem and my original manuscript. I wanted to use that term to show the narrator’s transformation from being in a place to belonging there.

Process

Q 4. How do your former careers as teacher and journalist influence your writing process?

Nazanin Ford: Generally, my background as a journalist and as a teacher are both integral to my writing process. As a reporter, I learned to find the right angle for a story, collaborate with my editors, make every word count, and research, write, and revise quickly—all skills vital to picture book writing. But I actually had to set my journalistic instincts aside for this story at first. I was staying too distant and attempting to be objective.

Teacher Instincts

My teacher instincts, on the other hand, told me that the story needed to be personal. That was how I connected with students, so I realized that would be what made my story resonate with readers.

Teaching makes it so I’m always thinking about how young readers will encounter a story. It’s also made me refine my understanding of writing craft so I can teach students in a variety of ways. I think all of our experiences find their way into our writing process to some degree.

Q 5. What surprises did the illustrator Fateme Mokhles bring to the book?

Nazanin Ford: So, Fateme reached out to me while she was illustrating and asked for photos of my family. She said she wanted to use our friends and family as inspiration for the characters.

It has been so fun finding people I know (including me and Fateme) in the illustrations. It’s made the book that much more special!

ED Note: Now you have me searching for you: “Where’s Nazanin?” : )

Many thanks to Nazanin Ford for joining us on the blog today.

And Happy Book Birthday to My America Blooms.

To learn more about Nazanin and her work, check out her website: NazaninFord.com

And follow her on social media:

Instagram nazfordwrites

Bluesky nazfordwrites.bsky.social

Facebook page for My America Blooms

Next up on the blog: On July 14th, we chat with Alexandra Alessandri about her new picture book,

Fly, Pajarito, Fly!

Illus. Dana SanMar (Sleeping Bear).

Until then, I’ll be up at Fine Arts Camp surrounded by so many talented young campers!

I hope you find a way to be creative too.