Welcome Reza Dalvand!

Full Circle Literary is proud to welcome to our family Reza Dalvand, an Iranian artist we have loved for years who has recently come to the US on a talent visa for his “extraordinary abilities” (an actual legal term-- and we agree!)

Reza Dalvand grow up in Khorramabad, Iran. He was attracted to art at a young age. His mother remembers when he was just about three years old, “a little saboteur” who drew on their walls! But rather than scold him, she encouraged him, and just a few years later his parents equipped him with painting supplies and sent him for lessons at the central culture library.

Where Reza was raised in Iran is a historical region teeming with gorgeous, ancient Persian art and archeology. This influenced Reza’s style from a very early age. You’ll notice this in his earliest works, which copied traditional Persian artistic styles and motifs, and his attention to detail and use of expansive color palettes calls to mind Persian miniatures. 

From that point, Reza devoted himself to becoming the best artist he could be. He says his family’s support was transformational, “It allowed me to pursue a professional career in the arts despite social and cultural pressures to study something else.” He received his BFA in Graphic Design from Isfahan University of Art and followed it with an MFA in Illustration from the University of Tehran, where he later became an instructor.





Since then, Reza has spent his professional career devoted to books and publishing. Before immigrating to the US, he was art director for several children’s publications in Iran, overseeing translation, design and publication of hundreds of books while authoring and illustrating 30 of his own, published all around the world – from the United States to France, China to the Middle East.



He has won numerous awards: Reza has been featured twice by the Bologna Exhibition Book Fair, was longlisted for the World Illustration Awards, received the Grand Prix of the Oshima Picture Book Museum Award of Japan, was nominated for two Astrid Lindgren Memorial Awards, was highlighted at Sharjah Children Reading Festival, and many more.



Reza works in a variety of media. You will find him moving between oil, marker, pen and pencil, collage, printmaking, mixed media, and digital as needed for a project. “I love the feeling of creating something that has never existed before me.” Reza uses his art as a medium for communication and a channel to express his emotions. His philosophy is to allow his art to be unruly at times and a descriptor of his subconscious. Instead of meticulous planning and sketching in advance, he allows his illustrations to express a raw and unfiltered sense of his emotion and creativity in the project.



He enjoys creating treasures for both adults and children, which may be why his book I HAVE THE RIGHT was just named a “Future Classic” on the Bookstagang’s Best of 2023.



Reza’s work typically features extensive use of color, set within a thought-provoking world. He leverages freedom of imagination, letting his illustrations sometimes take energetic, fantastical interpretations of traditional scenes. He says “I love hiding ideas in the main frame of my work; hidden corners and facets for people to explore.” He wants readers to find something new every time they look.



While Reza enjoys writing many of his projects, his background as a book designer makes him a natural collaborator. He says, “It is important not to underestimate the value of a publishing team – it makes a good book great!”



Reza is deeply committed to having his books serve the needs of young readers. His own stories often explore child psychology and development, self-acceptance and self-love. As a collaborator, he has worked on books ranging from educational texts to those that celebrate classics, ethnic literature, holidays and more.



Reza is open for commissions for board and picture books, book covers, and spot illustrations. He is also interested in adult book projects and gift/stationery work.

As an award-winning illustrator and author, art director, and conceptualizer, perhaps the best thing to call Reza in the end is a book diviner.

“I have so many ideas for books I would like to make; my only challenge is the human limit of time.”

Reza would be a wonderful fit for topics including:

Culture, travel, connecting people, and immigration.

Books that center minorities/marginalized groups

Books that encourage children to connect and accept one another

Stories featuring Middle Eastern characters, settings or influences

Books about creativity and imagination

Books that guide kids in adapting to life changes

Books about child psychology/socio-emotional development (SEL)

When he’s not immersed in the world of art, Reza is busy exploring the music and culture of his new town of New Orleans. Soon after arriving in the United States, he took off on a two week road trip through numerous states! Reza enjoys hiking, music, sports, walking with his dog Tzores, video conferencing with his family back in Iran, and spending time with his friends.

Welcome to the Full Circle family, Reza!



For more information, please visit RezaDalvand.com or contact lead agent Lilly Ghahremani (lilly@fullcircleliterary.com) on 858.824.9269 ext 4.

We look forward to working with you!

About Full Circle Literary

Full Circle Literary is a literary agency representing children's books from toddler to teen, and creative nonfiction for all ages. We work with both award-winning veteran and debut writers and artists and our team has a knack for discovering and developing new and diverse talent. For more information about all of our Full Circle Literary illustrators, please visit our website.