Leila and the Voice

Shahrzad Maydani is an award-winning illustrator of Iranian English descent. Her debut children’s book, Poetree, written by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds, received the Crystal Kite Award and was selected for the Spring 2019 Kids Indie Next List. Her following book, Bird Boy, written by Matthew Burgess, was a Junior Library Guild selection; and Francis Discovers Possible, written by Ashlee Latimer, was named one of the Best Children's Books of the Year by Banks Street College of Education.

Praise for Leila and the Voice by Shahrzad Maydani:The Society of Illustrators Original Art Show selectionBlue Ribbon List (Best Book of 2025) —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Big Picture of the Month (June 2025)A 2025 The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (BCCB) Blue Ribbon Award★ “A brilliant and deeply compassionate offering … Maydani’s use of different mediums work in concert to lend an epic feeling to Leila’s journey. Scratchboard illustrations etch the menacing monsters with swirls and designs that cover their bodies, like great creatures of myth. … Children wrestling with big feelings will be delighted by Leila’s wondrous adventure.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review “Via immersive artwork and emotive prose, Maydani explores what it takes to be resilient in the face of big emotions. … Bold scratchboard etchings, combined with chalk, pastel, and watercolor, throb with a vibrant coloring … resonates with emotional depth.” —Publishers Weekly“A story of finding inner courage in the face of fear … stunning.” —Booklist