The Picture Book Buzz -Interview with Azadeh Westergaard and Review of The One and Only Googoosh

Azadeh Westergaard (aa-zah-dé) is an Iranian-American writer and illustrator based in New York City.

Auhtor/Illustrator photo of Azadeh Westergaard.

She loves books and family in equal measure, which is why you’ll usually find her happily surrounded by her beloved picture book collection, her dashing husband, three delightful boys, and one extra-large goldendoodle.

Book cover - a man runing with pigeons taking flight around him.

She is the author of A Life Electric: The Story of Nikola Tesla, illustrated by Júlia Sardà.

Her author/illustrator debut picture book, The One & Only Googoosh: Iran’s Beloved Superstar, releases on November 12th.

Welcome Azadeh,

Thanks for hosting me on your lovely blog, Maria!

Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing and illustrating?)

I have been writing and illustrating stories since elementary school where my beloved teachers, Mrs. Lemmons (4th grade) and Mrs. Hibarger (5th grade), nurtured and celebrated my penchant for storytelling with pictures. That said, it took many years of professional detours until I found myself back to what I loved doing most.

I mostly work in my art studio which is in a windowless basement space. This set-up sounds grim, but it’s a delightful, well-designed room with bookshelves lined with my beloved picture book collection, clear, drawer boxes filled with my art supplies, and tens of drawings and inspiration images taped to the wall. The quiet, hobbit’s den feel of my studio puts me in the right creative headspace and brings me great joy.

A treasured morning ritual in the colder months is to turn on the space heater to warm my feet (remember, it’s a basement space!) and get started for the day with a freshly brewed, hot cup of coffee in hand and toasted sourdough bread with butter and jam on the ready.

I love the image of your "hobbit's den" studio! What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript or created an illustration?

When I was little, my favorite place in the world to read, draw, and write was on a tree branch outside of my house, right behind our garage. Nowadays, when not in my studio, I like to write and draw from the comfort of my bed. Something about the cozy warmth of my comforter, the dim lights, and cup of tea on my nightstand inspires my creativity and problem-solving mind-set. It’s here where I am best able to work through any text or art direction that’s been puzzling me.

That sounds heavenly. What was your inspiration or spark of interest for The One & Only Googoosh: Iran’s Beloved Superstar? Did the text or illustration come first?

Book cover - girl taking a bow on a stage.

I love documentaries and had recently watched a film about Googoosh’s disappearance from public life after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. I, of course, knew who Googoosh was when I watched the film, but I had no idea that she was a child star and that she traveled the country performing alongside her father in vaudeville acts. Later, when I was brainstorming ideas for book projects with my agent, Googoosh’s life story immediately came to mind not only because of its historic significance but also because I was excited to illustrate her childhood stage scenes.

The written manuscript came first and provided the much-needed scaffolding for the thumbnail sketches and the book dummy to come together. That said, I am an extremely visual thinker and had specific images I wanted to illustrate in mind while writing the draft.

It's fun discovering unknown nuggets. Which was the hardest or most challenging, the writing or illustrating for The One & Only Googoosh? And what was the most fun?

Illustrating this book was both the most challenging AND fun part of creating this project. My illustration style involves multiple mediums, including block printing, collage, and hand-sewn elements. As this book marks my debut as a picture book illustrator, there was a steep learning curve — this coupled with the detail-oriented art style I chose for the book slowed the process down which could at times be stressful since I was under a tight deadline.

Photo of a collection of many of the craft elements Azadeh used to create the book's illustrations.

With that said, I absolutely loved working on this project and consider it one of the highpoints of my creative life. Making a picture book is extremely satisfying as you get to create your own miniature world exactly how you please. Not only was this project a tremendous creative leap for me, it also took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to develop my visual voice.

You really succeeded in making it feel like a world captured in this book. How different was the creation of The One & Only Googoosh from the creation of A Life Electric: The Story of Nikola Tesla?

A Life Electric: The Story of Nikola Tesla was illustrated by the brilliant Julia Sarda, so that part of the process was out of my hands. It was wonderful to be a fly on the wall and see Julia’s meticulous sketches transform into final art.

In terms of writing, the process was very similar for both books. The manuscript text came together rather quickly after my research was complete. For both projects, the Author's Note was something I wrote as a very rough draft that I later expanded and refined during the final stages of the book production process.

They are both such interesting books with wonderful author notes. Is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Or perhaps one which is your favorite spread?

Internal spread - on the left, a baker in front of an oven holding bread. On the right, girl and father behind a cart, with a vendor holding glass of pomegrante juice.

Text & Image © Azadeh Westergaard, 2024.

My favorite image in the book is of the bread baker in front of his oven. I love the mix of textures and the pop of red in his red shoes. Also, I had a lot of fun sewing his pants and apron!

I love this illustration, both for its composition and its function as a turning point in the story. How many revisions did the text or illustrations of The One & Only Googoosh from first draft to publication?

My editor at Viking, Tamar Brazis, is a writer's dream. Her editorial approach really respects the author's vision and allows for autonomy over the project. The main body of the Googoosh manuscript had minimal revisions, just minor word changes here and there. Most of the edits were related to the Author's Note which I further developed in the later stages by adding a bit about my own personal story and elaborating more on both Iran's history and Googoosh's life story.

Interesting. Not familiar with Googoosh, I enjoyed the depth of your note on her life. And it helped explain a few things. I can see it being very helpful to parents and teachers. Many illustrators leave treasures or weave special images (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in The One & Only Googoosh? If so, could you share one or more with us?

Internal image - of the secondary character, in a white shirt with polka-dots, who ages along with Googoosh.

Brilliant question, Maria! I have my art director, Opal Roengchai, to thank for any hidden treasures in this book. When Opal sent her initial art notes on the picture book dummy, she suggested that it would be helpful for the young reader to follow along with a recognizable character who grows up alongside Googoosh as a visual anchor. I thought this was excellent advice, which is why there is a female character in the book who is always wearing a white top with yellow polka-dots and she ages up along with Googoosh as the story progresses.

I wondered if she was to be 'you.' Thank you for sharing the specialness of this character. What's something you want your readers to know about The One & Only Googoosh?

This is a deeply personal and meaningful book for me as it paints a picture of the Iranian people that is different from what we often see portrayed in the news media. Also, Googoosh's life story is truly remarkable. I honestly can't fathom how any musical artist could survive not being able to perform for over 20 years. It's important for me that audiences outside of Iran know more about this beloved and resilient artist. If you’re interested in seeing her perform, here is one of my favorite videos from the 1970s.

That has to have been a tough struggle. Are there any upcoming books or new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

I am working on a humorous illustrated early middle grade book about a jumpy jerboa and a peculiar penguin.

That sounds funny and intriguing. We'll have to keep our eyes open for it. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

I will stay close to home with this response and give a shout out to Brooklyn Bridge Park. It's a showstopper of an urban green space with stunning East River waterfront access and cinematic views of the Manhattan skyline. My most scenic way to get there is via the East River Ferry, which is one of the great delights of my city life and my favorite mode of public transport. In fact, whenever anyone is visiting New York City, a ferry ride to Brooklyn Bridge Park is often my number one recommendation.

Thank you, Azadeh, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your new author/illustrator debut book.

To find out more about Azadeh Westergaard. or to contact her:

Website: https://www.ahwestergaard.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahwestergaard

X (Twitter): https://x.com/ahwestergaard

Review of The One & Only Googoosh: Iran's Beloved Superstar

A lyrical, loving ode to an Iranian singer whose story and songs embody for many the memories of a lost homeland and way of life.

The One & Only Googoosh: Iran's Beloved Superstar

Author/Illustrator: Azadeh Westergaard

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group (2024)

Ages: 4-8

Nonfiction

Themes:

Biography, Iran, immigration, music, and history.

Synopsis:

A celebration of one of Iran’s most iconic musical artists.

The legendary Iranian singer and actress Googoosh (born Faegheh Atashin) made her stage debut at age two while performing alongside her acrobat father. By the time she reached adulthood, she was widely considered to be Iran's first superstar. Googoosh was in the prime of her career and on the brink of international stardom, but after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she was silenced and disappeared from public life for over twenty years. However, her fans did not forget her. And as they sought refuge around the globe, they found ways to keep her music alive.

Azadeh Westergaard has crafted an unforgettable love letter to the home she once knew in Iran and to the woman who was and still is a cultural icon—a dazzling performer known as the one and only Googoosh.

Opening Lines:

You were two when you first appeared onstage,

and your acrobat father pulled you out of his trouser cuffs

like a rosebud plucked fresh from the vine -

introducing us to the one and only Googoosh.

What I loved about this book:

Using a unique mix of collage, block print, and hand-sewn elements, Azadeh Westergaard creates the feeling of a 3-D illustration of Googoosh and her father on a stage. Her illustrations combine so many wonderful textures - like the accordion carboard for the father's belt and suspenders and the almost visceral feel of the ridges and softness of rose flower petals in Googoosh's dress. This is such a fun and intriguing opening, with such interesting and lyrical language.

Internal spread - on the left a man juggling four orange balls, with a small girl peering out from a pant leg. On the right, a young girl standing surrounded by red overlapping petals - like the center of a rose.

Written in a very unusual manner, especially for a nonfiction, this is a loving epistolary ode to Iran's beloved performer, Googoosh. it begins with the collective "we" of the Iranian people comparing their childhood experiences to this little girl raised by a performing acrobat father. "While we dangled from the tips of the tallest trees, you climbed atop a ladder of chairs - balanced on your father's chin." Azadeh Westergaard's bright, bold illustrations abound with texture and dimension. The cut paper pieces, perfectly placed, with the perched cut out of the child really portray a great depth and the sense of danger and amazement of the act this young child is performing.

Internal spread - on the left, a girl perched on a tree branch above flowering bushes. On the right, performing on a stage, a small girl perched on two stacked chairs balancing on her father's chin.

As they attended classes, she honed a singing ability, mimicking musicians and began a singing career at the age of four. With a rhythm that swelled "like waves of the Capsian Sea" and a "voice like the warbling bolbols that woke us at dawn." But just as Googoosh's career exploded and she became a cultural and fashion icon for Iranians, "life as we knew it changed forever." Tackling the Iranian revolution in a picture book is a monumental task which was both forcefully (a page shift from everyday events to a spread containing stamped, non-descript "heads" with a few interestingly places swipes of red and then a darkened empty stage) and very lyrically and delicately portrayed.

Internal spread - disembodied heads float across the pages, with stamped red poppies behind them, and a mix of worry, sadness, and concern on their faces.

And just like that,

you and us,

we, together -

amidst the roar and thunder of a revolution

that turned our country into a typhoon of turmoil -

lost the only home we knew.

While you and so many chose to stay,

the rest of us fled,

eager for freedom and scared for our safety -

scattering across the world

like wild, windblown poppies.

Keeping the narrative and art at an appropriate level for children, the illustrations show people packing, leaving on planes, and trying to resettle their lives, while the text explores the connection they all maintained to families, Iran, and most of all Googoosh's songs. Though she was silenced for twenty-one years, the tapes smuggled out with the refugees continued her legacy. Introducing her music to new generations of adoring fans. When she was finally permitted to leave Iran, at the age of fifty, her first performance in Toronto, Canada drew fans from around the world, "twelve thousand of us . . . our tears spoke louder than any song," and was a triumphant success.

Gorgeously wrapping two tweaked refrains harkening back to Googoosh's beginning and the revolution with matching "tweaked" illustrations. the ending comes full circle and lovingly captures the essence of this beloved Iranian singer. A detailed author's note explains her family's flight from Iran, her personal experience with Googoosh, as well as a thorough biography of this strong, triumphant, and beloved Iranian treasure.

Resources:

make a collage image of yourself using paper, fabric, or any other items.
look at the stage scenes in the book and make your own collage stage scene showing a favorite activity of yours.

what would you do if you were not allowed to do something you loved? Think about what you like to do - sing, play a sport, video game, read, Could you not do that for twenty days? Two months? A whole year? What about two years?

If you are in the area, check out Azadeh Westergaard's book event: