PRESS KIT
BIO
Ryan Bani Tahmaseb is an author, academic coach, and curriculum developer who specializes in supporting twice-exceptional (“2e”) students, particularly those with ADHD. His debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen (Charlesbridge, 2024), was selected for the Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025 and chosen by the Maine Humanities Council to represent the state of Maine at the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival.
His debut middle grade book, Persian Mythology: Epic Stories of Gods, Heroes, and Monsters (Running Press Kids, 2025), was selected for the Children’s Book Council’s 2026 OMG: Only for Middle Graders Recommended Book List. His next picture book, I Want to Eat (With) You, is forthcoming from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers in 2027.
He lives in Southern Maine with his wife and two young children.'
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Instagram: @ryanbanitahmaseb
Substack: Pinestar Post
Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen
Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen
By Ryan Bani Tahmaseb, illustrated by Fateme Mokhles
“Being the new kid is hard. And wearing something that might seem odd to other kids is even harder.
Rostam and Maman recently moved to the United States, and Baba is still working in Iran. Now it's picture day at school, and Rostam doesn't want to wear his pusteen. Even though Baba wore it when he was little, and it's beautiful and soft, Rostam worries that the other kids will think it's weird.
But sometimes being brave means sharing your whole self with others.”
Publisher : Charlesbridge (July 16, 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 32 pages
ISBN-10 : 1623543819
ISBN-13 : 978-1623543815
Reading age : 3 - 7 years
Grade level : Preschool - 2
Media
“… good and evil, life and death, order and chaos.” We’re Talking Persian Mythology Today with Ryan Bani Tahmaseb” (Betsy Bird’ blog, A Fuse #8 Production)
“Four Questions For Ryan Bani Tahmaseb” (Publishers Weekly)
Cover Reveal for Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen (Mr. Schu’s Blog)