Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nazli Tahvili. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nazli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My storytelling philosophy is simple and personal. I love telling stories using mostly pictures or a few words, reflecting my introspective nature. The characters in my books share a universal desire for exploration and discovery, going on both real and symbolic journeys to find themselves and the world around them. I believe movement, whether in the real world or imagination, is crucial for growth and understanding. In short, my career as a children’s book author and illustrator is all about inspiring young minds to explore, dream, and discover, crossing language barriers with the power of storytelling.
I can name one of my published books:
Story of a Journey: It’s about traveling and sharing the experiences upon returning home. The story follows a little boy who leaves his boring city, carrying his house on his back. He travels to different places, absorbing the colors and textures of each location. Upon returning to his city, he shares the vibrant experiences he gathered during his trip with his friends, transferring those colors and textures. In the end, everyone, including the city, becomes colorful.
This story mirrors my journey. Following my graduation from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, I came back to Iran. Teaching at an art university felt like passing on all the colors and textures I had collected to my students.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a children’s book author and illustrator. I began my creative career while studying Graphics at the Azad Art University of Tehran. My passion for art and storytelling quickly led me to collaborate with children’s and youth magazines as an illustrator, culminating in the publication of my first illustrated book in Iran.
My journey took an exciting turn in 2007 when I visited the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. The exposure to a myriad of wonderfully illustrated books from around the globe was a pivotal moment for me. It broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of contemporary narrative techniques, which I eagerly absorbed by translating their texts. This experience was instrumental in shaping my approach to storytelling, merging visual art with narrative in innovative ways.
In 2010, while furthering my studies in illustration for publishing at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, I finalized my first original story, ‘City of Papers.’ This wordless picture book, published in Turkey in 2015, marked the beginning of my venture into creating my narratives. Following this, I published ‘The Story of a Journey’ in Italy in 2017, and ‘Chalk Eagle’ in England in 2018, both of which further explore my fascination with storytelling through images, sometimes accompanied by minimal text.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My primary audience includes children, teachers, librarians, and parents who have a passion for picture books. In the first instance, children connect with my books in their homes or schools rather than on social media. However, book bloggers, teachers, and librarians frequently share my books on their platforms, leading them to follow me on social media. My activities mainly involve sharing pictures, updates on new releases, details about book signing events, and occasional videos showcasing interior pages to engage and capture attention for my books.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Numerous books, movies, and stories have influenced my professional journey. I’m drawn to those that share similar ideas to mine. One book that stands out for me is “The Baron on the Trees” by Italo Calvino. I love how the character breaks free from limits, lives in the trees, and grows while helping others in a unique and meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nazlitahvili.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiosospeso/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nazli.tahvili
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazli-tahvili-4942a639
- Twitter: @NazliTahvili
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/author/nazlitahvili https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/nazlitahvili-artist https://www.scbwi.org/members/nazli-tahvili https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18547168.Nazli_Tahvili
Image Credits
1-Nazli Tahvili 2-Tiny Owl Publishing ( Chalk Eagle)