Taraneh Matloob on Dear New Friend

In this post, we feature author and children’s literature professor Taraneh Matloob. You can hear her speak about her debut picture book in the U.S., Dear New Friend, illustrated by Alida Massari. You can also try her “invitation to imagine” activity and find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Dear New Friend

Written by Taraneh Matloob and illustrated byAlida Massari
Published by Red Comet Press
Release date: March 11, 2025

In this charming picture book, a young boy hopes for friendship and acceptance. Written in the form of a letter that the boy writes to invite a new friend for a visit, the story introduces the customs, foods, and traditions of his Persian family. With rich, glowing illustrations, this welcoming picture book will provide a wonderful opportunity for reflection as it promotes friendship, particularly between people with different cultural backgrounds.

A richly patterned interior spread from Dear New Friend showing a woman cooking a large rice dish at the stove while two boys sit at the table with more dishes of food.

An interior image from Dear New Friend showing two smiling boys running across a bridge surrounded by flowers and butterflies.

Explore Dear New Friend

Listen to Taraneh Matloob talking with TeachingBooks about creating Dear New Friend. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.

Invitation to Imagine

TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Taraneh Matloob.

Imagination Activity with Taraneh Matloob

What do you think makes someone a friend? Let’s draw a friendship map and include all the qualities that you look for in a friend. What are some steps you might take to make a new friend? Think of someone you would like to be friends with and write about how you might approach them.

Finish This Sentence . . . with Taraneh Matloob

As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Taraneh Matloob’s response.

“My character can’t live without…”

My character can’t live without words. He is a genuine word collector. He collects words that he can share with a friend. Can you help my protagonist with some words that bring more connections and friendship?

“While working on this book, I discovered that…”

While working on this latest project, I was surprised by the number of friends I have made. How many strangers have become my friends? All those who have helped me along the way.

Thank you!

To wrap up this Virtual Book Tour, we thank Taraneh Matloob for signing a book for all of us.

The title page of Dear New Friend, signed by the author, Taraneh Matloob, with the message, "To my new friend."

More Connections to Taraneh Matloob and Dear New Friend

Explore all of the titles featured in the TeachingBooks Virtual Book Tour: one link with author interviews, lesson plans, activities, and more!

All text and images are courtesy of Taraneh Matloob, Alida Massari, and Red Comet Press and may not be used without expressed written consent.