On July 9th 1850, the Bab, the forerunner to Baha’u’llah, was executed in Tabriz, Persia by a firing squad of 750 men. The Bab, which means “the Gate” in Arabic, was a Messenger of God whose role was to herald the coming of the latest Manifestation of God: Baha’u’llah. In 1909, after being hidden away for more than half a century, the Bab’s remains were finally interred on Mount Carmel, Israel.
Baha’is see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. Yet, in order for this promise to be realised, children need to receive spiritual nourishment, such as can be found in the children’s classes happening all around the world.
Helen Flynn has written a children’s book about the historic and unparalleled event of the Martyrdom of the Bab. It’s titled When the Smoke Cleared and it’s illustrated by Louisa Kwan Shabani.
I’ve chatted with Helen in the past about her children’s book The Glory of God so I was curious to hear about this new publication and how it came about! Here’s what Helen shared with me:
Can you tell us a little about When the Smoke Cleared?
When the Smoke Cleared is a story known to all of us. It is one that we share and commemorate at least once a year – the Martyrdom of the Bab. However, it is written as children’s picture book. It follows a fictional character, Ali, as he witnesses the last moments leading up this historic event. Ali himself hadn’t heard about the Bab till that day, but his heart was quickly attracted to His words and personage. Ali tries to make sense of the events and he does. How he does this … you will need to read for yourself!
What inspired you to write it?
Children’s book author Helen Flynn
As a mother and an educator by profession, my mind forever tries to think about creative ways on how to explain big concepts to growing minds. I love writing as a creative outlet and in the last years, I started to focus on creating stories, poems and songs for children to help strengthen their Baha’i identity and become seekers of knowledge. When the Smoke Cleared is frankly one of my favourite ones as it supports children in their understanding of the Bab’s sacrifice.
Why are stories so important for children?
Storytelling is an ancient art form. It has been and continues to be a form of human communication. It allows children and adults to make meaning, distil wisdom, connect with our past, present and future. It is a basic way of helping children to make meaning of life and the world around them. In picture story books the words and images go hand in hand, supporting one another in telling the story. In creating When the Smoke Cleared, we conducted a great deal of research, to ensure historical accuracy in the image, to give children a realistic idea of the time in which this story plays out.
What was a challenge you faced while putting this book together?
The story itself. The first draft was written about five years ago and together with my talented friend Louisa Kwan Shabani, we embarked on this second collaboration. Illustrations were done, based on the story I wrote, but in fact I was not happy with the ending. So the story and illustration just sat there for about two years. Then one morning a verse came to my mind: “On a morn in July in a town called Tabriz, Ali witnessed what happened to the Bab and Anis.”About twenty minutes later I had rewritten the entire story in verse with the ending it was meant to have. I was reminded that everything happens as it is meant to. Sometimes it simply takes more time.
What else are you working on?
I have a number of stories that I want to bring to life. I am currently in the beginning stages of speaking to another talented artist who offered their service. This book is titled I’m a Baha’i. It is about a child who explains what it means to him to have recognised Baha’u’llah. I am also in the process of finalising a book titled Maidservants of the Merciful. This book consists of 26 poems of inspiring Baha’i women, from A for Amelia Collins to Z for Zaynab, who served the Cause and the world in unique ways and through their outstanding qualities.
Where can we purchase your books?
When the Smoke Cleared and my previous book The Glory of God are both available through bahaibooks.com.au and can be shipped internationally.
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
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