By Payam Ebrahimi (author) , Reza Dalvand (illustrator) Part of the A Powerful Story of Resistance and Courage series
"Discover the joy of being a square peg in a round hole in this hilarious celebration of non-conformity."
Hardback In Stock £12.99 £11.69
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May 2024 Book of the Month
The Moleski family are all sporting champions – strong, muscly and with an eye always on the prize. Except for Abtin, the youngest member of the family, he is an artist, a reader, a dreamer. He doesn’t even have a mole on his face like everybody else! In short, Abtin is a big disappointment to the rest of his family. But rather than let the weight of expectation bring him down, Abtin finds his own unique method of bringing a smile to his family’s’ faces.
This is a fabulously funny book about embracing individuality and resisting expectation. Translated from Iranian, the illustrative style is different from what we might typically see published in the UK. The striking illustrations make great use of scale and perspective, with Abtin’s small stature compared to his gigantic family bringing fun and interest to every page.
Through the illustrations we see Abtin going his own way, resolutely refusing to give in to family pressure. Where they are weightlifting and training Abtin is happily reading and painting, whilst they angrily stomp downstairs Abtin gleefully slides down banisters. Throughout the book we are treated to a series of ancestral portraits that grow increasingly grim and disapproving, the eyebrows in particular becoming a source of great hilarity.
This is a wonderful picture book for readers looking for something slightly different, perfect for fans of Jon Klassan.
A powerful and wise story about finding the courage to be yourself, despite the pressure to conform.
Read the full description
Abtin is nothing like the rest of his family. The Moleskis are fiercely competitive sports champions, and they expect Abtin to become a great athlete too. But Abtin is a reader, an artist, and has his own way of doing things. Despite his family’s best efforts, Abtin remains stubbornly himself. Wanting his family to be proud of him, he comes up with a plan to make them happy: a plan that doesn’t go quite as expected.
Written and illustrated by two celebrated Iranian creators, Champ is a book for anyone who marches to the beat of their own drum: for the artists in a science family, or the readers in a sports family. It is a book for those around the world who have resisted and continue to do so, no matter what.
Payam Ebrahimi was born in Tehran. He has a degree in nuclear physics, but has worked as a graphic artist, journalist, and filmmaker. He has written numerous books for children and adolescents, and lives in Tehran.
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A great book, thoroughly enjoyable. Powerful!
The book is really engaging. The pictures are easy to follow and tell a story that children can link to. My son enjoyed the book and liked the theme of the story and how its about someone being different. I think that children will use this book to relate to.... Read Full Review
Sticking out in a family and being yourself. Can you win? Abtin isn't built like his athlete family, however hard they push him. Watch him show everyone who he is - even if they don't like it!
Sticking out in a family and being yourself. Can you win?
Abtin can't win. Every member of his family is a champion athlete, and want him to be just like them. But we see he's not built that way - he draws, he paints, he can't BE what they push him towards.
As the book progresses, the scowls of Abtin's family become deeper, their bodies bigger and more dominating, though Abtin continues to defy their commands and live his life how he feels happy.
It all comes to a head when Abtin tries the only way he knows how to make them happy by using their tools to help with his own method...... Read Full Review
This is a book about being different and not feeling the need to conform. Abtin's family are all champion athletes and think that he should try to be the same, but that's not where his passion or talents lie.
This is a book about being different and not feeling the need to conform. Abtin's family are all champion athletes and think that he should try to be the same, but that's not where his passion or talents lie. This is a really powerful book to open up discussions with children about being yourself. It could be used for PSHE with both KS2 and KS3 pupils as there is so much to discuss; the numerous powerful illustrations can lead such discussions on their own. As the book was originally published in Iran, this could also open up discussions about cultural differences in the world and historical challenges around human rights in parts of the world could be explored.... Read Full Review
A powerful and wise story about finding the courage to be yourself, despite the pressure to conform. Abtin is nothing like the rest of his family.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Champ and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Champ features in the following genres: Art and Design, Educational: Arts, general, Educational material, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Funny, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Sporting Stories, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 7+ readers
Hardback. £11.69, down from the £12.99 cover price. In Stock.
Champ was written by Payam Ebrahimi and published by Greystone Books,Canada
Yes it is part of A Powerful Story of Resistance and Courage series
£11.69, reduced from £12.99. In Stock.
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