Hedyeh Hastibakhsh Books

"Tender Years" is a collection of poems for children and youth. Written in simple language, this book includes poems which are often light, humorous, and entertaining, and cover a wide range of topics, including nature, kindness, family, and friendship. However, it also addresses more serious issues, such as racial and gender equality, and the desperate need for peace and harmony in today's chaotic world. These delightful poems are sure to strike a chord with the youngest and most impressionable of readers, and teach them valuable life lessons through enchanting rhymes which they are not likely to forget.

"The Reunion" is the story of four estranged sisters who are meeting again, for the first time in years, for a two week holiday on an enchanting Greek island. Each carries bittersweet memories of the past and struggles with her own demons as she tries to reconnect with the others, who seem like virtual strangers. The story is told from the point of view of each of the sisters, repeatedly alternating, so that the reader is offered an in-depth look into the heart, mind, and experiences of each woman as she strives to understand herself and build meaningful relationships with her sisters. The story also illustrates how differently circumstances can be experienced and interpreted by different people, and how oblivious they can be of the feelings and perceptions of others, even those who are closest to them.

“Encounter With the Self” is a collection of poems written on various subjects. These moving poems cover a wide range of topics, but many of them touch on themes to which most readers will be able to relate, including reflection on life, on the past, and self-exploration. Readers will come away feeling moved and uplifted.

Suzie is a typical little girl who, like all children, sometimes makes mistakes or finds herself in difficult situations. In each story, Suzie faces an issue or dilemma which is common to many children, such as fear, jealousy, bullying, abuse, divorce, gender roles, family obligations, the death of a pet, competition between friends, making friends at a new school, or dealing with a new baby sister. By the end of each story, she has learned an important life lesson or the importance of practicing a certain virtue such as honesty, responsibility, kindness, cooperation, forgiveness, etc. Ideally, parents should read these stories together with their children and discuss with them the lessons learned. In identifying with and following a particular character throughout a series of stories, children are more likely to absorb these ideas and lessons more readily than they would through a single story.