Shiraz, a kind-hearted young girl growing up in Tehran, has a miserable life at home with her stepmother and stepsister, who treat her like a servant. When the wind blows Shiraz's ball of wool into the garden next door, she spends the day helping and caring for the old lady who lives there, with miraculous results. Then her stepmother sends her own daughter off on the same mission . . . but will the results be the same? AUTHOR: Rita Jahanforuz is a well-known and highly respected singer in Israel. Rita was born in Tehran, and her family emigrated to Israel in 1970 when she was eight. She never forgot her Persian origins and childhood memories, which inspired The Gitl With a Brave Heart. Vali Mintzi was born in Romania and studied at the prestigious Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem. She works as an illustrator and graphic editor for the children's art magazine Enayim. Her vibrant and evocative style is influenced by painters including Bonnard, Hockney and Matisse. Colour illustrations