Tiny Owl's Abdollahi illustrates poetry book

Iranian illustrator Ehsan Abdollahi, who successfully battled to overturn his visa ban to appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, is to publish another book with Tiny Owl.

Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me is a collection of poems by US author Eloise Greenfield following the exploits of Thinker the puppy and his seven-year-old-owner Jace. The book is illustrated in “vibrant collage style with unique hand-coloured paper” by Abdollahi. The deal with Abdollahi was done directly with Tiny Owl's commissioning editor Sophie Hallam, without an agent. It will be published on 27th April 2018.

Tiny Owl described the title as forming “part of its wider programme to promote under-represented voices and cultures in literature, and to produce beautiful picture books for everyone”.

Abdollahi made headlines the summer when he was denied a visa to attend Edinburgh International Book Festival. The resulting public outcry led to the decision being overturned and a celebratory event was held at the House of Illustration in London.

Tiny Owl publisher Delaram Ghanimifard said: “Eloise is an inspirational woman and we really feel that her legacy deserves to be felt in new generations of poets and writers in the UK. We are particularly pleased to pair her with Ehsan Abdollahi.

“We hope that through our intercultural projects, we can demonstrate the shared similarities between cultures and the importance of exchange and dialogue.”

Tiny Owl is the first publisher of Greenfield’s work in the UK. The award-winning African-American author has written 45 children's books previously.