I thought I knew of almost every major holiday celebration around the world, but I was surprised to learn I was wrong. Have you ever heard of the Persian celebration of the winter solstice (aka Yalda night)?

Sina Merabian is an author-illustrator of picture books and longer work. Her work can be playful or macabre, and she enjoys the opportunity to work with intricate patterns and unique locales. You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Instagram.

MONSTERS IN THE MOONLIGHT is a picture book about two mischievous divs who are set to ruin Yalda night for anyone they can find. They are invited in to a family’s celebrations and wreck havoc at every turn. It’s almost like the Grinch has been multiplied! And just like that famous green guy, there’s more twists and surprises in store here than you can imagine.

Welcome Sina!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey? When did you start creating art and/or writing picture books? How did that lead to where you are now as the author-illustrator of this book?

Sina: I remember narrating stories while simultaneously drawing them, all to myself, when I was maybe 7. So, this has always been my happy place. Professionally, I started working as an illustrator about 10 years ago. In 2022, I published my debut author-illustrator picture book, Monster in the Bathhouse, with S&S.

Me: I’ve never heard of Yalda night before. What gave you the idea to write a book about it? 

Sina: It’s what I’ve grown up with. During winter’s solstice, my loved ones celebrate the ending of the longest night of the year. This comes from a beautiful belief in Persian mythology that no matter how bleak things are, light will eventually triumph over darkness. It’s my favorite night of the year. 

Me: I love that and I loved the little div characters in your story who are up to no good. For those who might not be familiar with them, can you explain what they are? Were they inspired or based on a mythical creature?

Sina: Divs are embodiments of evil in Persian mythology. Basically, anything bad or destructive presents itself as a div. In my picture book, I took a bit of liberty, and made them a little cuter and nicer than they’re supposed to be. Because you know… it’s a picture book. Hehe.

Me: Ha! Of course. In fact, I love the illustrations you did for this book. They are soft and welcoming. I can actually feel the glow of the fire. Can you talk about your illustration process a little bit? What media did you use to create the illustrations in this book? Are you mainly a traditional or digital illustrator (or a blend of both)?

Sina: Thank you! It was important to make the picture book true to itself, while maintaining a commercial appeal. And I should thank my amazing art director, Krista Vossen, and my lovely editor, Deeba Zargarpour, for their input.

When it comes to publishing, I prefer digital tools since they make the workflow easier. I mainly used Procreate to create Monsters in Moonlight.

Me: Yalda seems to have a lot of traditions associated with it.  How did you decide which elements to include in the story? Can anyone celebrate it?

Sina: The heart of Yalda Night is coming together to get through the hard times. There are unique elements, like watermelons and reading poetry. However, at its core, it’s about protecting joy. I don’t think people need to know a lot about Persian mythology to understand this concept. We all experience those moments.

Me: I know many children love to celebrate holidays, especially those with wonderful traditions like the ones you’ve included in this book.  Why is telling this story about this particular celebration important to you?

Sina: I love Yalda for its heartfelt and timeless idea. There’s nothing flashy—just loved ones gathering around and having a good time. Sometimes that’s the best way to go through those tougher moments.

Me: I agree! Any advice for other aspiring picture book writers and/or illustrators?

Sina: Talk to kids and listen to them. See how they take the world and put it back together in their minds.

That is excellent advice. Thank you for stopping by my blog today Sina.

Dear readers, this book publishes today! It’s a unique holiday picture book with classic Grinch vibes that’s sure to be another holiday requested re-read. You won’t want to miss it.