Bijan Always Wins

by Adib Khorram, Michelle Tran (Illustrator)

From Award-winning author Adib Khorram comes a unique picture book about what you risk losing when all you care about is winning.

Winning is Bijan's favorite thing. And Bijan always wins. But after declairing himself the winner of drawing and dinosaurs and even of lunch, Bijan notices that his friends aren't so keen to play with him. Could it be that some things, like friendship, can't be won?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction, Aapi, Realistic Fiction, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

ADIB KHORRAM is the author of DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY, which earned the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor, as well as a multitude of other honors and accolades. His followup, DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER, received three starred reviews, was an Indie Bestseller, and received a Stonewall Honor. His debut picture book, SEVEN SPECIAL SOMETHINGS: A NOWRUZ STORY was released in 2021. When he isn’t writing, you can find him learning to do a Lutz jump, practicing his handstands, or steeping a cup of oolong. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where people don’t usually talk about themselves in the third person. You can find him on Twitter (@adibkhorram), Instagram (@adibkhorram), or on the web at adibkhorram.com.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook!

My toddler and I listened to this audiobook one night before bedtime. Bijan wants to win at everything even on things that you don't normally think could win. Until he noticed that no one wants to play with him anymore and no one even noticed his winnings. He then changed tactics by attempting to make friends again and avoid shouting out his winnings because he doesn't like playing alone anymore.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book that emphasizes the importance of just living and enjoying life instead of always trying to beat the next person and “win.”

[isaac⁷ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"i want to win at being a friend." yeah same bro.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture books are not for kids! Keeping in mind that 4th graders didn't like being called children lately...
Older students might relate to Bijan's experiences. Khorram offers 2 pages to talk about analogies. In the end Bijan apologizes which allows everyone to move on, which may be the purpose of forgiveness.

[persian booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute little story about a boy learning the true meaning of winning through friendship and games

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the children who always have to "win". Bijan is yes, annoying in his desire to always win. And no surprise the consequence is that his friends don't want to play with him. Bijan notices that, and decides to change.

I think it's a good book to read to children for thr fact that it can be for the child that likes to win, and the child who has a classmate or friend who likes to win.

On the one hand the winning child learns that it isn't more important than friendship.

On the other, the rest of the children can be kind to the winning child, but can also set bouderies with a child who is set on winning everything. This develops healthy relationships, and gives children a voice and position, rather than being told to "play nice, be nice". A model where some children are dominated by those with more forceful personalities and tendencies.

Overall a good read. I would consider owning, but would definitely utilize it as a library book.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raya was not too enthused about this book because Bijan was not a nice person until the end when he realized he was losing friends. She also didn't like the book because the illustrations although very detailed are not bright and vivid. the illustrator used muted colors and pastels.

The story line is good in that it shows the how Bijan acknowledges how he was behaving is wrong and make amends with his friends.

[Heather Whittemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
Bijan is a bratty kid who "always wins" even when there isn't anything to win. The book annoyed me to no end, maybe because I never was around a child like Bijan. Bijan learns that his "I'm the winner" attitude is not productive for maintaining and making friendships. I'm glad Bijan learned his lesson in the end. Bijan ultimately learns that life isn't one big competition and you will never be happy when you're left standing alone.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bijan is fixated on winning. According to Bijan, he wins at eating lunch, tying his shoes and getting up in the morning among many other activities throughout the day. Eventually his friends don't want to sit with him during activities, do not want to play with him on the playground or sit next to him at lunch. Bijan realizes that winning is nice, but winning at being a friend is better.

A much-needed book on sportsmanship for the preschool crowd.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and a fairly solid social-emotional lesson about not having to always "win." Bijan recognizes that his behavior is upsetting to other kids and learns to correct it and get along with others. Not a lesson you see a lot in picture books, but a perfect one for some little kids who are concerned with always winning to hear.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bijan isn't much of a friend to be around because he always wants to win at everything, even things that don't need winning like eating lunch and playing with dinosaurs but he quickly learns that relationships are more important than winning and he decides that winning is being a good friend.

It's repetitive to reinforce the message and has a soft art style that is easy on the eyes.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author did such a good job of making Bijan obnoxious by his always "winning" that I almost gave up on this book. lol But I pressed on because I knew Bijah would likely have some character development and, of course, he did and it was a sweet ending. :)

[Abbigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet picture book about being a good friend, but focused on the specific issue of always wanting to win at everything and how this can push friends away. I loved the soft illustration style in this book, and I think this is a great addition to picture book collections about friendship.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about this is Bijan actually listens to his friends and observes their behavior (towards him and in general) and learns from it even though he would rather carry on winning. He adjusts his own behavior.

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was annoying.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adib Khorram stays winning!!!

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bijan wins at everything until he realizes his need to win isn't helping him be a good friend. Written by an Iranian American Author, this book highlights diverse children.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid story with great illustrations about a kid who only cares about winning. The more he wins, the less his friends are interested in hanging out, until finally Bijan realizes what he's lost.

[Ossy Firstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucu sekali

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I didn't read this sooner was that a part of me was angry that it reminded me of a story I had and I didn't work on it. An aside to remind myself and everyone else to not squander ideas when they come to you. Luckily, they're different enough I can still work on mine but I was relieved I enjoyed this story.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Adib Khorram is the author, chances are I’m reading the book, especially after I see him promoting his books in his newsletter. Who am I, if not the biggest fan, ready to support one of my favorite authors in whatever format they happen to be publishing?

Bijan Always Wins is a cute little picture book about Bijan, a kid who loves winning and isn’t afraid to let everyone around him know. As he continues to remind everyone that he is “always winning”, he finds there are fewer and fewer kids who want to play with him. This sparks Bijan to relook at his attitude so he has friends to play with once again.

A solid book about the dangers of always winning and always shoving that in everyone else’s face. I could see this book being especially helpful for those little ones who have a hard time losing or have a difficult time being a good friend when they’re a winner.