You capture the voices of children through the text and illustrations of the book. Why did you decide to take this approach and what is the impact that you hope it will have amongst readers young and old?
In many ways I see my approach to all children’s literature to be a sort of duty, helping them become better adults later, and helping them get through situations that can be challenging to children. From my own experience, I wish my own rights were advocated for and I was told as a child that I have these rights. As an uncle, I wish that my nephews and nieces will be told daily of their rights and abilities to thrive. In those ways, the words of this book are spoken for me in yesteryear, and for my loved ones today. To me, working with children and for them as my audience, I greatly care that the messages I send will empower them, and make better and more compassionate people, now with the parents reading the book to the children, and in the future with stronger more empathetic adults when these children grow up.
In what ways do think that the book can help to develop skills of empathy and compassion in readers?
I think it is important to understand that the text of this book is the text of the declaration of children’s rights, as human rights, and therefore is almost a legal document written the United Nations.
Being concise it is even more powerful – because it draws attention to the rights, not the emotions and politics around it.
However, I took the artistic liberty through my illustrations, to fill the gap for the short text and embolden the essence of the document: the color and patterns build a scene and story where the text is short and legal. Illustrations fill in the gap of interpretation, unlike other books where I allow the children to imagine a fantastic world, here I am making a point of showing them what they can, and should, demand – for themselves and their neighbors.
Last, diversity of characters allows all children to find themselves in the words and message of this book.
The book is an excellent way to explore the value of diversity through the presentation of different ethnicities, religions, genders, ages, needs and languages. How do you try to capture the voices of children from all around the world?
You are right, I did try to highlight as much diversity in this book as I could. I tried to observe ethnic, cultural and racial diversity and use all groups in the pages of my book. My aim was that this book will give the message of universality, free from discrimination. I hope to shed some positive light on groups and cultures under-represented in the field of picture books. In addition to the visual of my illustrations, I ensured that the design included the penmanship of children from around the world stating the rights they have, which I then illustrated throughout the book. This was intended to give the audience, no matter what country they are in, the feeling that this book is advocating for their rights.
Which right was your favorite to illustrate and why?!
I have the right to be loved.
To me, love is the bedrock of all other rights and needs of a child. It does not matter how one defines love, all beings deserve to express their love and deserve to be shown and feel love. The psychological condition of children is more vulnerable than that of adults. They are fragile, and the effects of deprivation of love affect them throughout their life. Again, to me, love and affection are the source of other rights, where children are shown love, the other rights follow suite.
If you could send a message to world leaders about the importance of children's rights, what would it be?
The overarching message of this book is universal, so is the message I believe it sends to those in positions of power. If you really care about your constituents, the youth, the health of society and the fate and future of your realms, you should care about the children’s rights which formidably ensure a healthier future society. The children of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. Any society that oppresses the rights of future generations, is a society that does not raise healthy children, both mentally and physically. Any step leaders take to ensure children’s rights, the bedrock of human rights, affects the fate of their cultural continuity, as well as civic and economic stability of their countries. How children are treated, and cared for, will impact the economic, societal, and cultural futures of their constituents in an increasingly global society.
‘I Have the Right’ by Reza Dalvand is published in the UK by Scribble Kids Books
