Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming

Gr 7 Up—Based on the film of the same name, this graphic novel centers on Rosie Ming, a young Canadian of Chinese and Persian descent who lives with her Chinese grandparents in Vancouver and writes poems about Paris, a city she longs to visit. After self-publishing a book of verse, Rosie is invited to a poetry festival in Shiraz, Iran, where she discovers the richness of Iranian history and culture, makes new friends, uncovers the truth about her estranged Iranian father, and learns about poetry from all over the world. A variety of celebrated poets are portrayed in the book, including Hafiz and Rumi, and their writings and several snippets of Iranian history are accompanied by striking artwork from many gifted artists. Langdale is the primary illustrator, and his colorful backgrounds and expressive characters move the narrative forward and tie together the various art styles and cultures represented. The depiction of Rosie (a character, also known as Stick Girl, whom the author created years ago and who has appeared in short films and webisodes), the lone stick figure, contrasts starkly with Langdale's fluid style. The meagerness of the protagonist's body and face emphasizes her immaturity and makes her journey towards self-discovery that much more powerful.