The Other Side of the Rocks

by Nahid Kazemi

In this picture book inspired by the meditations of the Persian poet Rumi, an adventurous frog leaves her familiar pond, goes beyond the rocks, and returns home—changed.

From the moment Froggy was born, she’s lived in a familiar world of frogs and fish, surrounded by others who are just like her. But what lies beyond the pond she calls home? Encouraged by her conversations with a wise fish, she decides to take the leap into the unknown.

There, she discovers another universe, making friends with creatures she hadn’t known before, as well as some that remind her of home. Time passes, and Froggy learns more than she could ever have imagined. And then one day, just as she once felt the call of the unknown, she hears the call of home—to which she returns, but not quite the same frog as when she left.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Nahid Kazemi is an author, illustrator and visual artist who has published more than sixty children’s books and has been nominated for both the Governor General’s Award and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. She has also taught art and has exhibited her work in Iran, France, Italy, the UK, Lebanon and Serbia. Nahid lives in Montréal, Quebec.

Reviews

[Stephanie Tournas]

What’s it like to travel to the other side of the rocks? Froggy lives happily with her family and plays with all of the denizens of her pond. She meets a wise red fish who encourages her to explore beyond her world, and so Froggy decides to take a trip. When she finds herself on the other side of the rocks that were her home’s boundary, she observes folks who look like her. It feels like the birds are celebrating her arrival, and they teach her to sing a new song. And when she feels the urge to go home, she carries the new song with her.

I loved this story about an adventurous frog who journeys as a quest for the new. Feeling loved at home gives her the courage for her journey and the openness to accept a new loving community, which she then shares with her family. The unknown becomes known. Dreamy full bleed landscapes show the fish and frogs under the water and the dappled light through the trees above the water. This longer picture book begins with a snippet of a poem by Rumi which describes the enrichment of traveling to new places. What a lovely read to celebrate an upcoming journey or to commemorate a new beginning.

[Paul Sutter]

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROCKS is a beautifully illustrated children’s book, with a definite message. The book is noted as inspired by the meditations of Persian poet Rumi, but it speaks of change from the usual, and going outside one’s comfort zone to truly live.
Froggy is very happy, living with her family and froggy friends. Then one day Froggy encounters a fish that tells her, “Beyond these rocks lies another universe, with creatures unlike any you’ve ever seen.”
Froggy is unsure what to do, until she summons her courage and decides to head to the place that was mentioned. Froggy arrives there, and is surprised to see a whole new group of bugs, birds, and other creatures she had not seen before. She is in awe of them all, and they are most welcoming, beckoning Froggy to stay and be a part of them.
She stays for a short while, but home beckons her. She is pleased to have made some new friends, and as she returns home she has much to tell her family and friends. It shows children about exploring, learning new things, but always staying true to your origins and those you care about most.

[Deborah]

I bought this one after a bookseller at Politics & Prose in D.C. recommended it, happily recognizing this illustrator as one I always love. The pictures are beautiful, and the simple story is inspired by Rumi and the author's own experience with immigration.

[Holly Mueller]

Beautiful, dreamy illustrations!