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Posted On: September 23rd 2026, 12:12 am
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“My Name Means Free” is our forthcoming children’s picture book! Join author Tala Khanmalek and illustrator Saiyare Refaei this November 21st, from 2–4pm at @toolboxlabs (309 Puyallup Ave, Tacoma).
We’ll do a little cover reveal and share a reading from this forthcoming children’s book about Azad—a non-binary child of Iranian descent whose name means “free”—and talk about the process of bringing their story to life, making art amid war, and resisting cultural and identity erasure through art.
Just as Azad reimagines Norooz and the haftseen in the book, we’ll invite our community to do some reimagining of our own by building a community altar together during the event. We’ll also have coloring and crafting.
Participants will also have the opportunity to preorder “My Name Means Free” with @bluecactuspress and help us bring this book into the world.
Children, families, artists, and community members of all ages are warmly welcome. This is a free event, no registration required.
This event is supported by the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Art Commission’s TAIP Grant while all views are our own.
(Song is “Free” by @florenceandthemachine)
We’ll do a little cover reveal and share a reading from this forthcoming children’s book about Azad—a non-binary child of Iranian descent whose name means “free”—and talk about the process of bringing their story to life, making art amid war, and resisting cultural and identity erasure through art.
Just as Azad reimagines Norooz and the haftseen in the book, we’ll invite our community to do some reimagining of our own by building a community altar together during the event. We’ll also have coloring and crafting.
Participants will also have the opportunity to preorder “My Name Means Free” with @bluecactuspress and help us bring this book into the world.
Children, families, artists, and community members of all ages are warmly welcome. This is a free event, no registration required.
This event is supported by the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Art Commission’s TAIP Grant while all views are our own.
(Song is “Free” by @florenceandthemachine)
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